23 Rice Noodle Recipes to Slurp Right Up
Yes, all of these rice noodle recipes center on a star ingredient (the noodles), but there’s so much variety within the category. The rice noodle canon is as expansive as it is delicious. From brothy bowls to punchy stir-fries to chilled noodle salads, these are the rice noodle recipes we turn to again and again.
You’ll see a range of names at the store—rice sticks, rice vermicelli, flat rice noodles; it’s worth familiarizing yourself with the differences (and learning the noodle’s actual name if you don’t know it already). Each brings something distinct to the table. A few of our go-tos: bánh phở, medium-width flat noodles ideal for soups; wide, chewy ho fun (also called char kway teow), perfect for high-heat stir-fries; and delicate Hsinchu mi fen, which excels in quick-cooking noodle dishes like a stir-fry. No matter the shape, one thing holds true: Rice noodles cook fast and absorb flavor like a dream.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Taneka Morris, prop styling by Suzie Myers1/23Spiced Salmon Noodle Soup
This version of salmon head soup—a staple of Native Alaskan diets—builds a broth from its eponymous ingredient, plus fillet scraps and tons of aromatics like sesame oil, fennel, and coriander. If your fishmonger doesn’t have a salmon head handy, the stock can be made from salmon bones and other scraps.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Emilie Fosnocht, prop styling by Sean Dooley2/23Everyone’s Favorite Gado-Gado
Gado-gado is one of Indonesia’s national dishes, found everywhere from food stalls to restaurants and family kitchens. This noodle-based version uses soy sauce and brown sugar as a substitute for kecap manis, a salty-sweet condiment often used to season the peanut sauce at the heart of the dish.
Photograph by Cody Guilfoyle, Prop Styling by Nicole Louie, Food Styling by Thu Buser3/23Citrusy, Peanutty Pork With Rice Noodles
Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Emilie Fosnocht, prop styling by Gerri Williams4/23Summer Roll Rice Noodles
Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Emily Eisen5/23Rice Noodles With Cashew Sauce and Crunchy Veg
Photograph by Cody Guilfoyle, Prop Styling by Nicole Louie, Food Styling Thu Buser6/23Bánh Cuốn With Pork, Shrimp, and Mushrooms
Photograph by Emma Fishman, food styling by Pearl Jones, prop styling by Sophie Strangio8/23Chicken Soup With Rice Noodles and Scallion Crisp
Bone-in chicken breasts are the key to this weeknight-friendly dish. To keep the rice noodles tender and clump-free, drain and rinse them in cold water.
Photograph by Shawn Michael Jones, Food Styling by Thu Buser, Prop Styling by Stephanie De Luca9/23Spicy Beef Noodle Soup With Mushrooms
Photo by Heami Lee, food styling by Judy Haubert, prop styling by Rebecca Bartoshesky10/23Instant Pot Beef Pho
In this hands-off rice noodle recipe, everything happens right in the Instant Pot. While it cooks, gather accompaniments like thinly sliced onion, scallions, bean sprouts, fresh herbs, lime wedges, and sriracha or hoisin sauce to serve alongside.
Photo by Heami Lee, food styling by Judy Haubert, prop styling by Rebecca Bartoshesky11/23Pad See Ew With Chicken
Chinese broccoli, or gai lan, has long, tender stalks that cook in just two minutes—but, yes, you can substitute regular florets or broccolini if you prefer.
Photograph by Joe Lingeman, Food Styling by Drew Aichele, Prop Styling by Maggie DiMarco12/23Turkey Laksa Noodle Soup
Photo by Michael Graydon + Nikole Herriott, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Amy Wilson13/23Rice Noodles al Pomodoro With Chili Oil
Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Chris Morocco, prop styling by Emily Eisen14/23Weeknight Steak and Rice Noodle Salad
This meal-worthy salad hits all the elements we crave: spice from the chiles, heartiness from the beef, crispy crunch from fresh veg, and a little sweetness from honey.
Photo by Michael Graydon + Nikole Herriott, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Amy Wilson15/23Coconut Rice Noodles with Ginger and Turmeric
Not many of these rice noodle recipes call for minced garlic, primarily because it burns so easily. Instead, fry sliced garlic cloves until they caramelize and turn crisp in hot oil, bringing sweetness and texture to a finished stir-fry or soup.
Photo by Elliott Jerome Brown Jr, Food Styling by Emilie Fosnocht, Prop Styling by Christina Allen16/23Five-Spice Beef Noodle Soup
Inspired by the flavors of Vietnamese pho, this ground beef and rice noodle soup comes together in just 20 minutes. Five-spice powder and fish sauce add aromatic and savory depth to boxed broth, building a cooked-all-day flavor in a fraction of the time.
Photograph by Isa Zapata. Food Styling by Kat Boytsova. Prop Styling by Stephanie De Luca17/23Vegan Pho
Photo by Michael Graydon + Nikole Herriott, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Amy Wilson18/23Peanut Rice Noodles With Pork and Collard Greens
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Pearl Jones, Prop Styling by Tim Ferro19/23Singapore Noodles
Alex Lau21/23Weeknight Red Curry
A few shortcut ingredients—canned tomatoes, store-bought curry paste—build a gently spiced, deeply flavored dinner in under an hour.
