What Are Glass Noodles? Glass noodles, also known as vermicelli or cellophane noodles, are a staple in many Asian dishes. Their unique quality is that they will turn transparent like glass once cooked.
Quick Content Links
What Are Glass Noodles Made Of?
Glass noodles are actually starch noodles. Glass noodle ingredients are water and starch, such as potato starch, sweet potato starch, mung bean starch or tapioca starch, to name a few. They are wheat-free and gluten-free.
Are Glass Noodles and Rice Noodles The Same?
No. Glass noodles are made from starch and water while rice noodles are made from rice flour and water. They are usually used as Chinese noodles and may be interchangeable in some cellophane noodle recipes, but taste slightly different and require different amounts of soaking in water before frying.
Glass Noodles vs Rice Noodles Comparisons
The Glass noodles are translucent while rice noodles are opaque. Glass noodles are sold dried and bundled in a coil, white rice noodles are sold in long, straight strips. Nutrition-wise, rice noodles, and glass noodles have more or less the same nutritional values.
How To Cook Glass Noodles
Glass noodles should be soaked in water for 15 to 30 minutes before cooking. While they are often used in stir-fry, they are also sometimes cooked in soups or as part of a side dish. There are many glass noodle recipes you can find.
Different Varieties Of Glass Noodles
Glass noodles are cooked with a wide variety of ingredients. They also come in a variety of types, including
- Thick glass noodles,
- Chinese glass noodles,
- Korean wide glass noodles
- Saifun noodles.
Substitutes Of Glass Noodles
Glass noodles can be substituted with any other type of Chinese noodle or even pasta, but they will not taste the same. This is because glass noodles absorb a lot of flavor and have a unique texture.
Sweet Potato Glass Noodles
Some types of cellophane noodles are made from sweet potato starch. This is also known as Korean thick glass noodles or dangmyeon.
Are Glass Noodles Gluten-Free
Yes, glass noodles are made from starch and water so they are both gluten-free and wheat-free.
Are Glass Noodles Healthy
Glass noodles are made from dehydrated starch, which makes them a processed food. They are gluten-free, so they may be a slightly better alternative to other types of noodles such as pasta, but they still contain a similar amount of calories.
#1 Korean Glass Noodles Recipe (Jap Chae)
Japchae is a popular Korean dish enjoyed around festive seasons and at any other time of year. Although it was first created without any noodles, the trademark glass noodles have become an important part of this dish today.
Recipe Ingredients Prep Info
- Prep Time: 35m
- Cook Time: 25m
- Ready In: 55m
- Servings: 6-8
Ingredient List
- 250 g dangmyeon (sweet potato starch noodles)
- 110 g baby spinach, chopped and blanched
- 100 g ribeye fillet, sliced thinly
- 1 carrot, diced
- 1/2 yellow onion, finely diced
- 1/4 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 egg, separated white and yolk (optional)
- 100 g fresh shiitake mushroom, diced
- 5 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp mirin (rice wine)
- cooking oil
- 1 Tbsp sesame seeds
- 2.5 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp honey
- One tsp garlic, finely diced
- 1 Tbsp brown sugar
- black pepper, ground, to taste
- table salt, to taste
- water for boiling
Korean Glass Noodles Recipe Directions
- In a medium bowl, add the meat, 1 Tbsp soy sauce, ½ tsp garlic, ¼ tsp grated black pepper, 1 tsp mirin, and 1 tsp sesame oil. Mix them together and put the bowl aside.
- Combine 4 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp brown sugar, One Tbsp honey, 1 Tbsp sesame oil and 1/8 tsp grated black pepper in another bowl. Mix well.
- In a third bowl, add the diced shiitake mushrooms and 1 Tbsp of the mixture done in step 2. Mix well and set this bowl aside.
- Find a large mixing bowl that is big enough to combine all the ingredients together. In this bowl, mix the chopped and blanched spinach with 1/4 tsp salt, 1 tsp sesame oil and 1/2 tsp minced garlic.
- Boil the dangmyeon in water for a few minutes or until soft, draining the water when done.
- Cut the noodles until they are about 6 to 8 inches long. Add the mixture done in step 2 to the noodles and mix well.
- Combine everything prepared so far into the large mixing bowl used in step 4.
- Heat a large pan with cooking oil and cook the egg white on low heat. In 1-2 minutes, take the egg white off the heat and set it aside.
- Repeat step 8 for the egg yolk.
- Slice both egg white and yolk into very thin pieces.
- Sprinkle some salt over the onion and fry it on the pan over low to medium heat for a couple of minutes or until soft. When done, pour the onion into the large mixing bowl.
- Repeat step 10 for the carrot and red bell pepper.
- Repeat step 10, omitting the salt, for the shiitake mushroom, meat and noodles.
- Pour the egg white and yolk strips into the large mixing bowl.
- Add the remaining sesame seeds and sesame oil to the large mixing bowl. Mix everything well.
- Serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 300
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Protein: 7g
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Cholesterol: 37mg
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 6g
- Vitamin A: 3610IU
- Vitamin C: 12.8mg
- Calcium: 53mg
- Iron: 1.6mg
- Sodium: 978mg
- Potassium: 302mg

#2 Glass Noodles Recipe
Glass noodles, also known as vermicelli in Chinese cuisine, are found in many popular dishes. They are easy to prepare and go great with shredded cabbage.
Recipe Ingredients & Prep Info
- Prep Time: 15m
- Cook Time: 5m
- Ready In: 20m
- Servings: 2
Ingredient List
- 1 portion of rice vermicelli (glass noodles)
- 1/2 cabbage, sliced and shredded
- 1 green onion
- 2 slices of ginger
- 2 cloves garlic, finely diced
- 1.5 Tbsp light soy sauce
- One Tbsp cooking oil
- 10 Sichuan peppercorns (optional)
- 2 dried chili peppers (optional)
- sugar, to taste (optional)
- salt, to taste
Glass Noodles Recipe Directions
- Soak the glass noodles in hot water until soft or color changes to white. Drain the water.
- Heat up a wok or pan with cooking oil to low or medium heat. Add the ginger, garlic, green onion and optional dried pepper and Sichuan peppercorn and fry for a few minutes.
- Now Add the shredded cabbage and fry until soft, about 1 minute.
- Add glass noodles, salt, soy sauce and optional sugar. Fry for another 1 minute.
- Serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts
- Calories 478
- Carbohydrates 100g
- Fat 7g
- Sugar 6g
- Fiber 3g
- Protein 3g
- Vitamin A 920IU
- Vitamin C 30.9mg
- Calcium 75mg
- Iron 3.3mg
- Sodium 1752mg
- Potassium 286mg

#3 Glass Noodles With Carbs Recipe
Glass noodles are a great substitute for any carbohydrate like rice or pasta. They are also lighter on the stomach and go well with just about any ingredients!
Recipe Ingredients & Prep Info
- Prep Time: 5m
- Cook Time: 10m
- Ready In: 15m
- Servings: 6
Ingredient List
- 6 portions of glass noodles
- 1 small chicken, shredded
- 5 oz veggies, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, finely diced
- Two Tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- 2 Tbsp fish sauce
- 2 Tbsp lime juice
- 1 packet low-sodium chicken stock
- 3 Tbsp cooking oil
Glass Noodles With Carbs Recipe Directions
- Soak and cook the glass noodles according to directions on the package. Drain the water.
- Add cooking oil, garlic and ginger to a large pot over medium heat. Simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- Add shredded chicken, chicken stock and 2 cups water to the pot. Simmer for 5-7 minutes until the soup is warm.
- Mix in fish sauce, lime juice and veggies. Cook till the veggies have just wilted, about a couple of minutes.
- Distribute the noodles accordingly and add soup to each bowl. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 447
- Carbohydrates: 37g
- Protein: 43g
- Fiber: 1g
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated fat: 2.5g
- Sodium: 817mg

#4 Thai Glass Noodles Recipe
A staple of any Asian diet, glass noodles also happen to be gluten-free. Used in a variety of cuisines, you are sure to find glass noodles a popular favorite in Thai food.
Recipe Ingredients & Prep Info
- Prep Time: 15m
- Cook Time: 15m
- Ready In: 30m
- Servings: 2
Ingredient List
- 8 oz glass noodles
- 1 chicken breast, shredded
- One bell pepper (red), diced
- 1 1/2 cups mushrooms, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, finely diced
- 1 shallot, chopped
- 1/3 cup chicken stock
- 1 1/2 Tbsp fish sauce
- 3 Tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp hoisin sauce
- 2 Tbsp cooking oil
- 1 Tbsp brown sugar
- optional garnish: lemon or lime, cilantro leaves, crushed red pepper
Thai Glass Noodles Recipe Directions
- Place the shredded chicken in a bowl and drizzle chicken stock, fish sauce, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar and optional red pepper flakes on it. Make sure the chicken is evenly coated with the seasonings and place in the refrigerator to marinate.
- Boil the noodles in a large pot of water for 5-7 minutes, drain the water. Cut the noodles to a few inches in length so that they will be easier to stir fry later. Sprinkle some cooking oil on the noodles and coat them well.
- Heat more cooking oil in a wok or large pan on medium-high. When oil is hot, add the shallots and garlic, stirring for about a minute before adding the shredded chicken. Continue to fry for a few more minutes until the chicken is cooked. You can add more seasoning sauce as per taste.
- Pour in bell pepper and mushrooms. Stir-fry until soft.
- Add the noodles and remaining seasoning sauce. Stir everything together until mixed well, for a few more minutes.
- Sprinkle garnish and serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 967
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Protein: 75g
- Fat: 50g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Cholesterol: 209mg
- Fiber: 5g
- Sodium: 3211mg
- Calcium 109mg

#5 Wide Glass Noodles Recipe
If you are looking for a vegan and gluten-free alternative to most common japchae recipes, you can try this recipe, where wide glass noodles work well. It is also completed in much less time as long as you prepare beforehand.
Recipe Ingredients
- Prep Time: 2h
- Cook Time: 20m
- Ready In: 2h 20m
- Servings: 4
Ingredient List
- 7 oz dangmyeon (glass noodles)
- 1 cup carrots, diced
- One cup shiitake mushrooms, cleaned and sliced thinly
- 1 cup wood ear mushrooms, cleaned and sliced
- 6 green onions, chopped
- 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
- 1 tsp garlic, finely diced
- 2 Tbsp cooking oil
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 4 tsp mirin (rice wine)
- 3.5 Tbsp dark soy sauce
- 4.5 tsp sugar
- 2 Tbsp plain water or water leftover from soaking mushrooms
- black pepper, ground, to taste
- 1 Tbsp sesame seeds
Wide Glass Noodles Recipe Directions
- Soak noodles (and dried mushrooms if using) in water. Leave 2-3 hours or overnight. When ready to cook, drain off water from glass noodles and set aside. Keep the mushroom water if applicable.
- Mix shiitake mushrooms in mirin, soy sauce, a pinch of sugar, garlic, sesame oil and black pepper. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, mix 1 Tbsp mirin, 4 tsp sugar, 3 Tbsp dark soy sauce, 1 Tbsp sesame oil and 1 Tbsp sesame seeds until thoroughly combined.
- Heat vegetable oil in a wok or large pan on medium-high. Add chopped green onions and stir fry until cooked about half a minute.
- Also, Add shiitake mushrooms and stir fry for another half a minute.
- Add onions, carrots, and wood ear mushrooms to the pan, with a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir-fry for about 2 minutes, but do not fully cook them.
- Add glass noodles and fry for about 1 minute.
- Add 2 Tbsp of plain water or mushroom water. Cook for another 30s-1m.
- Pour in the mixture from step 3 and fry until the sauce is completely absorbed into the ingredients. Taste and adjust seasonings accordingly.
- Garnish with green onions, sesame oil and sesame seeds to taste. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 351
- Carbohydrates: 59g
- Protein: 1g
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Fiber: 5g
- Sugar: 9g
- Vitamin A: 5525IU
- Vitamin C: 7.5mg
- Sodium: 871mg
- Potassium: 233mg
- Calcium: 92mg
- Iron: 2.1mg

#6 Chinese Glass Noodles Recipe
A simple vegan dish, Chinese rice vermicelli (glass noodles) with shredded cabbage promises to bring a hearty meal to the table at any time of day. It can be enjoyed both on its own and as a side dish to a bowl of rice.
Recipe Ingredients & Prep Info
- Prep Time: 15m
- Cook Time: 10m
- Ready In: 25m
- Servings: 4
Ingredient List
- 2 bundles glass noodles
- ½ green cabbage, shredded
- 4 cloves garlic, finely sliced
- 5 slices ginger, finely sliced
- ½ tsp vinegar
- ½ tsp dark soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 3 Tbsp cooking oil
- ½ cup of water
- ¼ tsp sugar
- pinch of salt, to taste
- ½ tsp white pepper
- 2 scallions, chopped
- red chilies, chopped (optional)
Chinese Noodles Recipe Directions
- Soak noodles in cold water for a few minutes or until soft. Drain the water and cut the glass noodles to few inches long. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, mix dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, vinegar, pepper, sugar, sesame oil and water.
- Heat cooking oil in a wok or large pan on medium. Add garlic and ginger, stirring until the garlic has turned light brown.
- Turn the heat to high and add shredded cabbage and chilies if using. Stir until cabbage has wilted slightly.
- Mix in noodles and the sauce done in step 2, stirring well. If you notice the ingredients drying up, lower the heat slightly. Taste and adjust seasonings accordingly. When nearly done, add in the scallions and stir to mix one more time.
- Serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 244
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Protein: 3g
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Fiber: 5g
- Sugar: 6g
- Vitamin A: 325IU
- Vitamin C: 64.4mg
- Calcium: 84mg
- Iron: 1.6mg
- Sodium: 621mg
- Potassium: 338mg

#7 Glass Noodles Soup Recipe
This highly customizable recipe is reminiscent of hot and sour noodle soup, while still maintaining its own unique flavor. The ingredients used can be varied as per preference, the highlight of the dish being the spicy, tangy soup paired with glass noodles.
Recipe Ingredients & Prep Info
- Prep Time: 5m
- Cook Time: 15m
- Ready In: 20m
- Servings: 3
Ingredient List
- 3 oz glass noodles
- 1 cup shiitake mushrooms, sliced
- One small carrot, sliced
- 1 1/2 cups snap peas
- 2 tsp ginger, grated
- 3 cloves garlic, diced
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 Tbsp lime juice
- chili paste, to taste
- 1 Tbsp. maple syrup
- One Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp cooking oil
- scallions, cilantro leaves, sesame seeds (optional)
Glass Noodles Soup Recipe Directions
- Boil noodles in water, drain and set aside.
- Heat ginger, garlic and cooking oil in a pot on medium for 1 minute.
- Add broth, maple syrup, lime juice, chili paste and soy sauce and boil in the pot. You can adjust the amount of seasonings to taste.
- Add mushrooms and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Add carrots and peas, simmering for about 2 minutes until veggies are soft.
- Distribute the noodles and add soup to the bowls. Garnish and serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 315
- Carbohydrates 51.8g
- Protein 12g
- Fat 7g
- Saturated Fat 0.9g
- Fiber 5.6g
- Sugar 11.9g
- Calcium 50mg
- Iron 3.1mg
- Sodium 1581mg
- Potassium 634mg

#8 Glass Noodles Salad Recipe
Instead of a regular pasta salad, try to substitute the carbs for glass noodles and see how it goes.
Recipe Ingredients & Prep Info
- Prep Time: 15m
- Cook Time: – 10 Mints
- Ready In: 15m
- Servings: 4
Ingredient List:
- 4 portions of glass noodles
- 2 cups shrimp
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper, sliced
- 1/2 cup carrot, sliced
- 1 1/2 Tbsp fish sauce
- Two Tbsp lime juice
- 2 tsp chili paste
- 1 tsp sugar
- 2 Tbsp vinegar
- shallots, mint, cilantro, and crushed peanuts, to taste
Glass Noodles Salad Recipe Directions
- Soak noodles in hot water for 15 minutes.
- Grill shrimp separately, with a little bit of olive oil and with some seasoning like salt, black pepper.
- Combine vinegar, fish sauce, lime juice, sugar and chili paste and mix well until sugar has dissolved.
- In a separate bowl, add shrimp, carrot, bell pepper, shallots, cilantro and mint. Mix well.
- Drain noodles and cut into shorter lengths. Mix noodles and shrimp together, tossing well.
- Pour the mixture from step 2 over the shrimp and noodles.
- Garnish with peanuts and serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts
- Calories 346
- Carbohydrate 34.1g
- Protein 27.1g
- Fat 11.7g
- Saturated fat 2g
- Monounsaturated fat 5.4g
- Polyunsaturated fat 3.5g
- Fiber 2.4g
- Cholesterol 60mg
- Iron 2.1mg
- Sodium 589mg
- Calcium 44mg

#9 Glass Noodles Stir Fry Shredded Cabbage Recipe
This simple dish is fast yet nourishing and delicious. You should be able to find the ingredients easily in your kitchen, making this a great meal to whip up when you are out of ideas.
Recipe Ingredients & Prep Info
- Prep Time: 10m
- Cook Time: 10m
- Ready In: 20m
- Servings: 2
Ingredient List
- 2 portions glass noodles
- ½ small cabbage, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, finely diced
- Two medium eggs, beaten
- 1 Tbsp Chinese cooking wine
- 1/2 tsp sesame oil
- ½ tsp soy sauce
- 1 scallion, sliced
- 3-5 red chili, chopped (optional)
- cooking oil
- ¼ tsp white pepper
- salt, to taste
Glass Noodles Stir Fry Shredded Cabbage Recipe Directions
- Soak noodles in water for about 10 minutes. When done, drain and cut the noodles lengthwise several times.
- Add some salt, sesame oil and cooking wine to beaten eggs.
- Heat some cooking oil in a wok or pan and fry the egg mixture. When done, remove eggs from heat and set aside.
- Heat more cooking oil over medium and cook the garlic, scallion and chili for a few minutes.
- Adding cabbage, increase the heat to high and fry for a few more minutes.
- Combine noodles and egg mixture with the cabbage. Stir well and fry for about 2 more minutes, adding more salt, wine, sesame oil, soy sauce or white pepper as per preference.
- Serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 327
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Protein: 7g
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Cholesterol: 164mg
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 4g
- Vitamin A: 600IU
- Vitamin C: 40.5mg
- Calcium: 72mg
- Iron: 1.3mg
- Sodium: 458mg
- Potassium: 239mg

#10 Asian Veggie Glass Noodles Recipe
Based on a Filipino dish, these Asian glass noodles are both healthy and tasty.
Recipe Ingredients & Prep Info
- Prep Time: 30m
- Cook Time: 15m
- Ready In: 45m
- Servings: 4
Ingredient List
- 5 oz glass noodle
- 1-1/4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup fresh peas, cut in half lengthwise
- 2 cloves garlic, finely diced
- 1-1/2 cups mushrooms, diced
- 1-1/2 tsp ginger, grated
- 1/3 cup yellow onion, diced
- 3 eggs, hard-boiled, sliced (optional)
- 4 cups coleslaw
- 3 Tbsp soy sauce
- Three green onions, chopped
- 3 Tbsp cilantro leaves
- 2 Tbsp cooking oil
- 1/2 cup red pepper, sliced
- 1/4 tsp pepper, ground
- lemon or lime for garnish (optional)
Asian Veggie Glass Noodles Recipe Directions
- Soak noodles in water for about 30 minutes or until the noodles are softened and translucent, drain when done and cut noodles lengthwise.
- Heat cooking oil with onion, ginger and garlic on medium-high in a large wok or pan. Stir for 2 minutes.
- Add mushrooms and stir for another 2 minutes.
- Add coleslaw, red pepper and peas. Stir until the vegetables are soft and remove them from heat. Set aside.
- Pour broth, pepper and soy sauce into the same pan and boil. Put the noodles in, stirring until cooked through. Include the vegetables from earlier as well as cilantro and green onion.
- Serve immediately accompanied by egg slices and lemon or lime.
Nutrition Facts
- Calories 321
- Carbohydrate 46g
- Protein 9g
- Fat 11g
- Saturated fat 2g
- Cholesterol 159mg
- Sodium 817mg
- Sugars 7g
- Fiber 4g

#11 Stir Fry Glass Noodles Recipe
If you are a fan of seafood, you will love this simple and customizable dish that takes only a few minutes to be ready.
Recipe Ingredients & Prep Info
- Prep Time: 10m
- Cook Time: 6m
- Ready In: 16m
- Servings: 4
Ingredient List
- 3.75 oz glass noodle
- 1 egg, beaten or whisked
- 4 oz (or about 8-10) shrimp, peeled
- 1 small ginger, grated
- 3 cloves garlic, finely diced
- 2 Tbsp cooking oil
- 1/2 tsp corn starch
- 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
- 2 1/2 Tbsp light soy sauce
- 2 scallions, chopped
- 3 Tbsp water
- 1 Tbsp vinegar
- pepper and salt to taste
Stir Fry Glass Noodles Recipe Directions
- Combine ½ tsp corn starch, 1 Tbsp soy sauce and One Tbsp vinegar in a bowl. Add shrimps to the mixture, leave for 10 minutes.
- Soak glass noodles in hot water for about 10 minutes. When done, drain the water and put it aside.
- Heat cooking oil, ginger and garlic in a wok or large pan on high. Stir for 1 minute.
- Add the shrimp and marinade mixture and continue to stir for another few minutes or until shrimps are cooked.
- Add egg, noodles, sesame oil, soy sauce, scallions and water. Stir for 1 minute until everything is mixed well.
- Garnish with pepper and salt to taste and serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts
- Calories 194
- Carbohydrate 24g
- Protein 9.8g
- Fat 6.1g
- Saturated Fat 1.8g
- Polyunsaturated Fat 1.5g
- Fiber 0.6g
- Cholesterol 95.6mg
- Sodium 429.5mg
- Sugars 0.7g

Also Enjoy below recipes
- Sausage Egg and Breakfast Casserole Burrito Recipe
- Breakfast Potatoes – Top 10 Recipes | You Must Try!
- Breakfast Potatoes Casserole Recipe – With Few Ingredients
- Moo Goo Gai Pan Top Healthy Quick Recipes (Ready In 20 Minutes)
Did you find the Glass Noodles Recipe interesting? Please follow Knifeandfork Pinterest and leave a comment below, share it, like it, rate it. We’d love to see what you cook! write to us @knifesforks@gmail.com. We, as a small blogger, need all the help, motivation, and appreciation. This small help for Subscribing and sharing on social media will be appreciated!

I’m the biggest foodie and crazy about exploring new tastes. Pleased to meet you! I love to cook all kinds of cuisine; I love to eat; I love my family, and I love to travel. My passion for food brought me here, and I started this website. I am also passionate about this site.