All About Rice Vermicelli

When it comes to food, not many have qualms with it as long as it tastes good. But, do you actually know your food? 

 

Time to know all there is to rice vermicelli!  It’s an almost everyday staple in the Asian diet that many don’t know much about. Here are the answers to everything you aren’t sure about these noodles.

 

 

What is rice vermicelli made of?

If you couldn’t tell by the name, rice vermicelli noodles are made primarily of rice. Its main ingredients are rice flour and water. However, sometimes manufacturers add tapioca or cornstarch to improve noodle texture. Asians love chewy noodles, right?

 

Rice vermicelli is a thin variation of rice noodles. Which, much like pasta, come in many shapes and sizes. Rice vermicelli is basically the rice version of angel hair pasta. 

 

Many confuse these noodles with cellophane noodles. They are not the same. Cellophane noodles are made of mung bean or rice starch. Rice vermicelli is made of actual rice grains.

 

These noodles are known as well as rice noodles, or rice sticks.

 

 

What is the difference between rice noodles & rice vermicelli?

 

Are they the same? Yes, and no. Rice noodles come in variations of different shapes and sizes. Rice vermicelli is actually a variation of rice noodles. Rice noodles also include kuey tiao or chow fun, rice noodle rolls, mixian, rat noodle (lau shu fen), rice stick noodles, and rice cake sticks.

 

 

What is the meaning of vermicelli?

Vermicelli is actually an Italian word. The word translates literally as “little worms”. The noodle name is derived from its appearance which likens little worms. Not very appetising come to think of it, right? 

 

Vermicelli is a noodle variation that is long and thin. It varies slightly in size depending on the country. Depending on the region, its ingredients vary too. In Asia, vermicelli is made mainly of rice. 

 

In Italy, vermicelli is made of wheat. It is similar to spaghetti but is thicker. In the United States, it is slightly thinner.  In India, vermicelli is also made of wheat that is commonly known as maida. 

 

 

Is rice vermicelli gluten-free?

Yes. White rice flour is gluten-free. Rice vermicelli is made of rice flour so it is gluten-free as well. Its additional ingredients, corn, and tapioca flour or starch are also gluten-free.

 

Italian and Indian vermicelli is made of wheat so is not gluten-free. If you are unsure when buying, be sure to check labels. Gluten-free foods almost always come with a label.

 

Besides that, these noodles are vegan.

 

 

What are Vietnamese vermicelli noodles made of?

Vietnamese vermicelli noodles are also known as mung bean threads, glass noodles, or even cellophane noodles. They are not to be confused with rice vermicelli. 

 

Vietnamese vermicelli is made of starch and water. These noodles are mostly made of mung bean or rice starch. Some are made of pea or even sweet potato starch.

 

 

Is Vietnamese vermicelli gluten-free?

Yes. The starches these noodles are made of are gluten-free. In addition, they are 100% fat-free. Besides that, these noodles are vegan and sugar-free. This makes them a much safer carb to eat than the run of the mill rice or pasta.

 

 

Is Vietnamese food healthy?

Most if not all Vietnamese food is healthy. What a plus considering how delicious it is! Vietnamese food is low in fat. Most dishes are gluten-free and packed with good vitamins and minerals too. 

 

It’s good food to keep you nourished and give you energy. Did you know? Vietnamese food can boost your immune system and aid in weight loss?

 

One of the most nutritious dishes is Pho. It’s probably Vietnam’s most popular noodles dish. It’s made of rice noodles, herbs, and meat or tofu. This dish is packed with nutrition and has a high protein content. Pho has been said to reduce inflammation and improve joint health. However, too much of a good thing can be bad. So, do watch your portions.

 

 

What is vermicelli made of?

That depends on which region of the world is making it. In India, vermicelli is made of hard wheat flour called maida. There it’s commonly eaten as a dessert.

 

In Italy and the USA, vermicelli is also made of wheat. Whereas, in most of Asia, vermicelli is made of rice flour. Most of Asia also makes it of starches. The most popular starches include that of mung bean, rice, pea, and sweet potato. 

 

 

Now you know the A-Z of rice vermicelli and rice noodles. Eating them can give good health benefits. It’s definitely time to incorporate them into your diet more.