Let's Talk About Shirataki Noodles

lunarastro

I tried them and cooked them just how you described (dry fry). I added some siracha, soy, and garlic. The flavor was fine, but I could NOT get past the texture. It felt like I was chewing rubber bands. I keppt chewing to see if things changed, but it only made it feel like I was chewing smaller rubber bands. I could hear the "squeak" of the noodles in my skull while I was chewing! Freaked me out a little and I never got past that first bite. Just dumped it in the trash. Do you have any sugesstions on how to make tham less rubbery?

coliema

Bump so I can come back and read this, I'm interested.

LaLouve_RK

That would be perfect for me if so!!!! Can we get them mostly anywhere? I'm in the Ottawa area (Canada)

jan5555

thanks! going to try this.

LarStar

RavenKellie, I'm in Toronto and we have them in our korean super markets; I'd be surprised if you couldn't find them in Ottawa

LarStar

RavenKellie, I'm in Toronto and we have them in our korean super markets; I'd be surprised if you couldn't find them in Ottawa

byrdamy

bump

SandyAnnP

In Australia, we have Slim Pasta ( same stuff) in Angel hair and spaghetti noodles ( in health food section at Woolworths and also Changs wok ready low cal gluten free (same stuff) - the one packed in fluid , in the noodle aisle at Woolworths and Coles. Changs is cheaper than the other one.

j_emerson

bump

alphabetsalad

Thank you for this great and informative post! I've had the tofu shirataki noodles, and enjoyed them, but didn't realize that there was an even LOWER calorie version out there! I'll have to see if I can find them in my city, and will also have to try the dry-fry method you described. (When I made the noodles I just cooked them into chicken noodle soup, which was good too - but I like having options!)

finallychelle

I tried them and cooked them just how you described (dry fry). I added some siracha, soy, and garlic. The flavor was fine, but I could NOT get past the texture. It felt like I was chewing rubber bands. I keppt chewing to see if things changed, but it only made it feel like I was chewing smaller rubber bands. I could hear the "squeak" of the noodles in my skull while I was chewing! Freaked me out a little and I never got past that first bite. Just dumped it in the trash. Do you have any sugesstions on how to make tham less rubbery?

You could try a different brand or a different noodle. If you tried shirataki and didn't like it you might prefer tofu shirataki.

I've never had any taste like rubber bands, though. Since it's made of vegetable and not grain the texture won't ever be the same but it's reasonably close.

Your best bet is to add enough other textures that you won't focus on the noodle texture. You could stir fry in some bean sprouts, bok choy, celery, broccoli, meat-- you name it.

I've also known some people to use 50% pasta and 50% shirataki. You don't end up with zero calories, of course, but you still cut the calories in half.

Try this:

1) dry fry 1 or 2 package(s) of shirataki noodles with 1/2 onion (chopped) and 1/2 bell pepper (chopped)
2) when they're done, add 2 oz of steak (cut up small), some bok choy, broccoli, bean sprouts, garlic powder and the sauce(s) of your choice. (I would use a smidge of sesame oil and some teriyaki sauce).
3) When they're nearly done, beat one egg and stir fry it in.
4) Spray a little buttery spray on, for good measure.
5) Since you like hot stuff, don't forget the chili powder.

Your calories will be (roughly): shirataki noodles (0), steak (100), bok choy (10), broccoli (50), onion (20), bell pepper (20), bean sprouts (20), garlic powder (1), sesame oil (20), teriyaki sauce (10), egg (70), buttery spray (0)

Total will be about 321 calories-- and the texture shouldn't bother you a bit!

Let me know how you make out.

-Chelle

alphabetsalad

Here's tonight's shirataki noodle dinner at our house!

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/alphabetsalad/view/an-experiment-with-shirataki-noodles-293345

roxy_dolly

I cooked with these for the first time ever last night! Amazing! I only ordered 3 packs online (even though it's cheaper to buy in bulk) as I didn't want a cupboard full of the things if they were awful. For a start, the water they were packed in didn't smell at all (I was prepared for the fishy smell) and I followed your advice and dry fried them for a while. Then I set them aside and used low cal oil spray to fry some onion, garlic, one raw chopped chicken breast and yellow peppers, with plenty of different seasonings and some dried chilli flakes. Threw the noodles back in for the last few minutes with some steamed brocolli a dash of soy sauce and I had a wok full of food! I think I have a pretty big appetite and I have enough leftover for a good part of my dinner this evening.

I'm almost worried they're too good to be true and it's all a con haha. I had a stir fry the night before using fresh egg noodles, and while of course the texture is different (more similar to rice noodles which are actually more calorific than egg noodles) it was just as tasty and filling with at least 200cals less and way fewer carbs.

Placing my bulk order now and spreading the word. THANK YOU!!!!

finallychelle

Here's tonight's shirataki noodle dinner at our house!

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/alphabetsalad/view/an-experiment-with-shirataki-noodles-293345

Great blog post! It sounds like you made quite the delicious meal!

finallychelle

I cooked with these for the first time ever last night! Amazing! I only ordered 3 packs online (even though it's cheaper to buy in bulk) as I didn't want a cupboard full of the things if they were awful. For a start, the water they were packed in didn't smell at all (I was prepared for the fishy smell) and I followed your advice and dry fried them for a while. Then I set them aside and used low cal oil spray to fry some onion, garlic, one raw chopped chicken breast and yellow peppers, with plenty of different seasonings and some dried chilli flakes. Threw the noodles back in for the last few minutes with some steamed brocolli a dash of soy sauce and I had a wok full of food! I think I have a pretty big appetite and I have enough leftover for a good part of my dinner this evening.

I'm almost worried they're too good to be true and it's all a con haha. I had a stir fry the night before using fresh egg noodles, and while of course the texture is different (more similar to rice noodles which are actually more calorific than egg noodles) it was just as tasty and filling with at least 200cals less and way fewer carbs.

Placing my bulk order now and spreading the word. THANK YOU!!!!

Yum! No fair making me hungry-- this is supposed to be a dieting site!

Awesome job!

-Chelle

blkanmld

Where did you buy these online??

kimi131

Well, thank you, dieter chelle! You sound like a knowledgeable, helpful lady! I'll keep an eye out for shirataki noodles.

pattesterman

bump

azbunnytracks

I LOVE these noodles!! I have to feel full, too, and they do the trick. The texture is not like wheat noodles, but I like it anyway. It's about broadening your palate!

lissrn

bump

AmyLRed

i just typed a long reply and then the thread locked, but i see its now continued here:)


When you cook until dry, are they crunchy?

Hoping i can find them (no Asian markets anywhere near me) and hoping i like them too, and that mine dont come out rubbery as many have mentioned.

Thanks for the detailed post!

Amy_Lynn74

need to come back to this later

_ylime_

I am going to try these now... Thanks!

finallychelle

i just typed a long reply and then the thread locked, but i see its now continued here:)


When you cook until dry, are they crunchy?

Hoping i can find them (no Asian markets anywhere near me) and hoping i like them too, and that mine dont come out rubbery as many have mentioned.

Thanks for the detailed post!

No, they never get crunchy! They hold their shape and stay flexible. The texture just improves a bit.

-Chelle

kdaughertyfp

I found them at a local heath food store. I was so excited to try them and did. I finshed them but must admit I the texture thing is not for me. I fried / cooked them for a long time. There was little or no taste to the noodle which was great but it was squishy, I felt like I was eating octopus. Now saying that I have never had octopus to really compare it too but that is all I could think of. I hope others find this a good replacement for noodles.

finallychelle

I found them at a local heath food store. I was so excited to try them and did. I finshed them but must admit I the texture thing is not for me. I fried / cooked them for a long time. There was little or no taste to the noodle which was great but it was squishy, I felt like I was eating octopus. Now saying that I have never had octopus to really compare it too but that is all I could think of. I hope others find this a good replacement for noodles.

They're pretty bland if you don't add something flavorful to them. You should check out my recipes and you'll see what I mean.

A scrambled egg, a little bit of meat, some onion, garlic and bean sprouts will go a long way toward making you feel good about these!

sheilsun

Hi, many Whole Foods Stores have the Miracle Noodle shirataki noodles which I use. There's a website at www.miraclenoodle.com/storelocator.aspx where you put your zip code in and you can find out where there is a store that carries them near where you live. I add them to so many dishes especially soups and stirfrys. Hope this helps!

sheilsun

Hi, Also you can order on Amazon.com or on their website www.miraclenoodle.com if there is not a store nearby..

alphabetsalad

Last night's shirataki comfort food:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/alphabetsalad/view/more-experiments-with-shirataki-noodles-306977

finallychelle

Last night's shirataki comfort food:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/alphabetsalad/view/more-experiments-with-shirataki-noodles-306977

Great blog post!

I hope you saved us some!

-Chelle