Are Noodles Vegan?

Noodles are one of the greatest inventions in the history of food, and they’re also a great source of protein for vegans. But what about that “cheese sauce” on top? Is it dairy-free?

If you are wondering if noodles are vegan, the quick answer is yes. Noodles can be vegan, but many store-bought varieties feature cheese sauces that contain milk products. However, you can make your pasta sauce without using any dairy ingredients by following this simple recipe:

Ingredients

1/2 cup tomato paste

3 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 clove garlic

Directions

Mix all ingredients together until well combined.

Add more soy sauce to taste.

What Are Noodles?

Chinese-style noodle dishes are long strands of dough made from flour and water. They come in various shapes, including spaghetti, linguine, fettuccini, angel hair, etc. The word “noodle” comes from the Chinese word for thread (鳴絲).

Asian countries like China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Burma have been making cheap ramen noodles since ancient times. Some believe that the history of noodles was invented in China as early as 5000 BC.

The first known written reference to humble noodle is found in an Egyptian papyrus dating back to 1550 BC. It mentions how Egyptians used wheat flour to make flatbreads.

Today, Asian noodle dishes are available in almost every country around the world. You can find them at restaurants, grocery stores, convenience stores, and even vending machines.

What Might Make Noodles Non-vegan?

When noodles are made of egg, flour, and water, they might not be considered vegan because eggs and flour are animal products. However, there are several types of instant noodles products that do not include these ingredients.

Eggs

Egg noodles are certainly not vegan, but they are often labeled as such. Egg noodles are usually made with wheat flour, water, salt, and eggs. If you want to avoid eating non-vegan instant noodle products, look for those that say “100% natural” instead of “eggless.”

When making egg noodles, the eggs act as a binder and help hold the noodle strands together. This makes them easier to chew and digest than other egg noodles.

Lecithin

Lecithin is a substance found in egg yolks that helps emulsify fats into smaller particles so they can mix easily with liquids. Lecithin is also added to margarine and mayonnaise to keep their consistency smooth.

If you don’t eat eggs, then you won’t need lecithin. However, if you do eat eggs, you should know that lecithin is derived from animals.

Wheat Flour

If you are allergic to gluten, you will probably want to stay away from wheat egg noodles. Gluten is a protein found in wheat that gives dough its elasticity. Wheat Korean noodles tend to be thicker than rice meat-flavoured noodles and are, therefore, harder to chew.

Vegan

If you’re vegan but still want to enjoy Asian food, you’ll need to look for vegan versions of traditional Asian dishes. For example, you could try making tofu pad thai or veggie stir fry.

You can also buy pre-made non-vegan egg-based noodles at most supermarkets. These are typically made from brown rice, buckwheat, quinoa, corn, and millet. Some brands are also made from potato starch, tapioca starch, and arrowroot powder.

There are many different types of noodles out there. Here’s what you should consider when choosing which type to buy:

Texture

Popular oodles come in varying textures. There are thin ones, thick ones, chewy ones, slippery ones, crunchy ones, and more. Each surface has its benefits. Thin popular noodles are great for soups and salads, while thick ramen noodle soup cups work well in stir-fries. Chewy noodles are perfect for adding body to sauces. Slippery noodles are good for dipping. Crunchy noodles add flavor and texture to dishes. And finally, slippery noodles are best for cold noodle dishes.

Price

Noodle prices vary widely depending on where you live. The price range for fresh slurpfuls of noodles varies between $1 and $3 per serving. Frozen varieties of noodles cost about half as much as fresh ones.

Storage

Fresh noodles have a shelf life of only one week. They must be refrigerated after opening. To extend their storage time, freeze them in airtight containers. Once frozen, they can last up to six months.

Nutrition

The nutrition facts for vegan noodle dishes differ depending on how they are prepared. Supermarket instant noodles cooked in boiling water contain less sodium than hot oil. Cooking noodles in boiling water also reduces the amount of fat and calories compared to cooking them in oil.

Cooking Methods

Some people prefer to cook noodles al dente (just slightly undercooked). Others like them softer. You can control the texture by adjusting the cooking method. Boiling noodles in plain water take longer than boiling them in flavored broth. If you cook them in flavored broth, they will absorb the flavors better.

Servings

Some noodles come in single servings, while others come in packages containing multiple servings. Single servings are ideal for small appetites. Packages are convenient because they make it easy to serve several people at once.

Non-vegan Noodles

You can certainly eat all kinds of noodles if you are not vegan. However, some non-vegans may find certain ingredients off-limits. Here are some common elements that aren’t vegan-friendly:

Chinese Noodles

Chinese noodles are mostly made of wheat flour. This means that they are not suitable for vegans. These are usually found in Chinese restaurants.

Instant Noodles

Instant noodles are also made with wheat flour. Instant noodles are often used in place of regular noodles. They are quick and easy to prepare. Unfortunately, instant noodles are not always healthy. They tend to contain high amounts of salt and sugar.