However, there is a common issue that many people face when stir-frying glass noodles: they often end up mushy or clumped together, making the dish less appealing.
According to experienced chefs, there are some tricks to stir-frying glass noodles that are chewy, slightly crispy, and not sticky. What are those tricks? Let’s find out below:
1. Choosing the right glass noodles
This step is crucial as it determines the taste of the dish. Experienced chefs recommend choosing glass noodles with intact strands that don’t feel too dry, brittle, or easily breakable. Look for noodles with even strands that are not stuck together.
2. Preparing the glass noodles before stir-frying
Typically, glass noodles need to be soaked before stir-frying. However, it’s important not to soak the entire bundle at once. Soaking long strands together can cause them to tangle. Especially when stir-frying, they will clump together.
When cutting the glass noodles, the ideal length of the strands should be around 20cm (about a hand’s length). Avoid cutting them too short, as they may break apart during stir-frying and become difficult to pick up. It is recommended to wash the glass noodles before cutting, making them easier to cut and ensuring they are free from dust.
Once the glass noodles are cut, it’s time to soak them. Use warm water for soaking, as it helps soften the noodles faster. Cold water takes a long time, especially in cold weather. Do not use boiling water or very hot water, as it can cause the noodles to expand too quickly and become mushy, leading to clumping during stir-frying. Soak the glass noodles in warm water for about 15 minutes. After soaking, the noodles will be supple and chewy.
3. Stir-frying the glass noodles
After soaking the glass noodles, drain them in a colander and let them air dry. Since the noodles were only soaked in warm water, they won’t stick together, so there’s no need to rinse them with cold water or mix them with oil before stir-frying.
Prepare the other ingredients, such as meat, seafood, crab, and vegetables. Sauté aromatics like garlic or onion, and then stir-fry the other ingredients until they are almost cooked. Only then should you add the glass noodles. Avoid stir-frying the noodles with the other ingredients from the start, as it will make them mushy.
Season to taste and continue stir-frying until the noodles are cooked. If the dish seems too dry, add a small amount of water, but be careful not to add too much, or the noodles will clump together. Use a high flame for stir-frying.
Once the glass noodles are cooked, serve them immediately.
Good luck, and happy cooking!