Crispy rice noodles add crunch to any stir fry or salad. They can even be used as a garnish for almost any dish. There are two different ways of cooking these crisp noodles. The first is to simply deep fry them in oil directly from the package. This creates a noodle with a puffy air like crunch. The second way is to first soak them in water and then deep fry them. This second noodle comes out with a harder more brittle crunch than the first, which is perfect for serving with stir fries. These hard crunchy noodles are also great as a garnish for salads and other dishes.
Below are two sets of instructions on how to cook these delicious noodles. The first outlines how to cook them if you are serving them with a stir fry and the second explains how to cook them for use as a garnish. Try these fun crunchy noodles with you next meal and let me know what you think in the Chinese food forum. Enjoy!

To see a video of these instructions click here.

6 to 8oz rice vermicelli noodles
2 to 3 cups peanut oil (for frying)

Prepare to Serve with Stir Fry:

1. Fill a large bowl with luke warm water. Remove the noodles from their package and submerge them in the water. Let them soak for 20 to 30 minutes, or until “al dente.”


2. Once the noodles are “al dente,” drain them in a colander. Make sure they drain thoroughly. If needed, use a paper towel to remove any excess water.


3. Add 2 to 3 cups of peanut oil to a wok and heat it on high.


4. Once the oil is hot, carefully add about a handful of noodles to the oil and let them cook for about 3 to 5 minutes or until crisp. Then remove them with a wire strainer and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain. Continue cooking the remaining noodles.


5. Once they are cooked, place them on a plate topped with your favorite stir fry.

Prepare as a Garnish:

1. Complete steps 1 through 3 above.


2. Break the noodles into small pieces. Once the oil is hot, scatter a handful of them into the oil and let them cook for about 1 minute.


3. Remove them with a wire strainer and place them on a plate lined with paper towels. Continue cooking the remaining noodles.


4. Once they are cooked, serve them as a garnish on top of a salad to give it an extra crunch or to add texture to any other dish.