Calorie- and carb-counters, here’s something worth a try — Miracle Shirataki Noodles by House Foods America Corporation.
Shirataki (shee-rah-TAH-kee) noodles are thin, low carb, chewy, and translucent traditional Japanese noodles.
Shirataki noodles are thinner than wheat noodles, do not break as easily, and have a different texture. They are mostly composed of a dietary fiber called glucomannan and contain very few calories and carbohydrates (sometimes even zero). They do not have much flavor by themselves, but absorb flavors well from other ingredients you can combine them with. Shirataki noodles are made from Konjac flour, which comes from the roots of the yam-like Konjac plant grown in Japan and China.
Shirataki noodles are packaged “wet”, that is, you purchase them pre-packaged in liquid, and they are ready-to-eat out of the package. You can prepare them by boiling them briefly or running them under hot water, then combining them with other dishes, or adding things like tofu, garlic, spinach, or soy sauce to enhance the flavor.
There are two types of shirataki noodles, traditional and tofu-based. Traditional shirataki noodles have zero net carbohydrates, no food energy, no gluten, and they are useful for those on low-carbohydrate diets. Tofu-based shirataki-style noodles contain a minimal amount of carbohydrate, have a much shorter shelf life, and require refrigeration even before opening.
What is glucomannan?
Glucomannan is a water-soluble dietary fiber made from the roots of the Asian Konjac plant. Glucomannan makes up the majority of substance in shirataki noodles.
How do I cook shirataki noodles?
Cooking shirataki noodles by themselves is relatively straightforward. Since shirataki noodles are packaged pre-cooked, you simply heat them up and enjoy. The liquid that shirataki noodles are packaged in has a slight fishy/seafood smell to it, so it’s recommended that you run the noodles under water for a couple of minutes before you eat them. To add flavor, you may want to add:
- Salt
- Soy sauce
- Garlic powder or garlic cloves
- Tofu
- Spaghetti sauce
- Vegetables
Where do I find shirataki noodles?
I have yet to find a store here in the Philippines but if you’re reading this online (most probably you are right now), you can buy shirataki noodles at:
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