5.0 out of 5 stars HERE'S THE REAL SCOOP ON SHIRATAKI!!

D. · April 20, 2012

(function() { P.when('cr-A', 'ready').execute(function(A) { if(typeof A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel === 'function') { A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel('review_text_read_more', 'Read more of this review', 'Read less of this review'); } }); })(); .review-text-read-more-expander:focus-visible { outline: 2px solid #2162a1; outline-offset: 2px; border-radius: 5px; } Okay, so I heard about the amazing Shirataki noodle and decided to give it a try. After MUCH research and deliberation I decided to try both the "miracle noodle" (zero calorie, glucomannan, no tofu) and the House Foods (40 calorie per bag, tofu and yam flour) varities. BOTH arrived today, so I decided to try both and give an unbiased review.#1 - Anyone who says these noodles have a repulsive odor, has never eaten fish before.#2 - anyone who says these noodles have a repulsive texture, has never eaten ramen, or udon noodles before.I put a small pot of boiling water on the stove, brought to a boil. Opened the bag, put noodles into a strainer, and rinsed 10-15 seconds under cold water. Then I put the noodles in pot of boiling water.I purposely sniffed the bag.. and yes.. it has a medium to mild "fishy" odor, nothing worse than salmon. If you don't like this, then don't sniff the bag. The "miracle noodle" had slightly less of this odor.I purposely sniffed the boiling water after about 1 minute, and yes, it had an odor, not so much fishy anymore, as almost plastic-y.. kind of hard to describe... again, don't sniff the steam if this bothers you.After 3 minutes of boiling (for the House foods brand), and 2 mintues (for the miracle noodle brand), I poured into the strainer again, and rinsed with HOT water for 10 seconds. I then drained, and put back into the small pot, and added half a flavor packet from a pack of ramen noodles (chicken flavor).IT TASTED JUST LIKE RAMEN! I was very excited. The noodles (as other reviews state) have no flavor on their own, but take on asian flavors nicely. As for being a "spaghetti substitute," these would probably do the same as if you put ramen noodles under some spaghetti sauce.. not quite right.. but not the fault of the noodles, just not the intent of an asian noodle.As for the texture, these noodles actually get FIRMER as you cook them, instead of softer (like regular noodles). If your're a fan of "al dente" pasta, then this is for you. YES < they are a bit firm, but not hard like rubber bands (like other reviews have said). And not slimy in the slightest, I don't get why people have said this (again, felt just like ramen noodles in my mouth). I love al dente pasta myself, and found the texture preferable to normal ramen noodles. The "miracle noodle" is slightly firmer, and more transluscent (like more tradition ramen noodles).I ate one bag of each, and loved every bite of both. This was also about 4 hours ago, and I felt full this whole time (not uncomfortably full, just not hungry).I'm VERY glad I took a chance on this. Perhaps if you have a picky pallet, this isn't for you. But if you like Ramen noodles, then I'm telling you give these a try. One bag (of either) is about the same volume as one packet of Ramen noodles, but at a fraction of the calories (or zero in the case of miracle noodles). I plan on experimenting with other spices, such as bullion, and asian "flavor packets" found at the grocery store.Hope this helps!!

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic addition to stir-fry; delicious if you cook them right

J.S. · July 3, 2012

I heard about these noodles years ago through Hungry Girl, although they weren't available in my area's grocery stores until just a couple of years ago. When I learned 2 years ago that I am gluten-intolerant (borderline celiac), I started using rice pastas and the like, but they weren't all that satisfying and still had a ton of calories and simple carbs. Remembering the stories I'd read about shirataki, I thought I should give them a try. I had initially tried a different brand (one of the tofu varieties). I must admit, the first few times I tried shirataki noodles, I was really unimpressed, but I was pretty much just rinsing them and adding them to whatever I was making, but once I learned how to properly cook them, even the other brand was really good.The best way to prepare them that I've found is a little bit involved, but they are still very quick and simple. I put about a teaspoon of oil (grapeseed) in my 9" nonstick wok and preheat it on high. I open the package of noodles directly into a colander, letting the liquid drain out (it smells a little like shrimp to me, but YMMV), and then open up the hot tap over them for a couple of minutes. I then shake/squeeze out the excess water, sometimes blotting on some paper towels, then snip them with kitchen shears until they are a more manageable length on average (although sometimes I do this directly in the pan, just because I'm weird and that seems fun). Transfer the noodles to the pan. The oil should be hot and the noodles should sizzle when they hit the pan; grapeseed oil has a very high smoke point, which is why I prefer it for stir-frying. I tend to use silicone-covered kitchen tongs for cooking my noodles, as it seems easier to grab them and turn them than trying to just stir. I let them cook for a couple of minutes until they are more or less dry, then add my other ingredients in order of how long they take to cook. You really can't overcook shirataki noodles (in my experience), though - they don't get soggy like wheat pasta.My favorite recipe is to add 6 oz. medium raw shrimp (usually I just rinse/thaw the shrimp and noodles together in the colander, then separate them as even raw shrimp doesn't take very long to cook), 1/2-3/4 cup of chopped green onion, 2-3 tsp of liquid aminos (or light soy sauce), a beaten egg or two, and a dash of ginger & garlic powder at the end. The noodles take a back seat to whatever ingredients you add, and are just a nice addition that also tends to be very filling. I calculated this recipe in a diet log, and it checks in at under 400 calories for what amounts to a HUGE bowl of noodles with 6 oz. of shrimp and two large eggs. Tons of protein and very filling for very few calories. Even my exceedingly picky husband likes them, and he isn't rummaging through the fridge & cupboards 10 minutes later like usual. Last night I added some frozen grilled red & yellow peppers in place of the shrimp, and it was outstanding.I like these because they are not only gluten-free, but soy-free. While I don't actively avoid all things soy, I do try to keep my intake in check, mostly because of how ubiquitous it is in nearly every other prepared food product (especially gluten-free). I'm still curious about the nutrition measurements, considering the package describes them as being made of soluble fiber, but lists <1g of fiber in a serving. In any event, I am always full and happy after a meal containing these.

1.0 out of 5 stars My unfortunate experience.

K.C. · August 13, 2018

So, when I first saw this rice I thought "cool, a low carb alternative to rice." Oh how wrong I was. first of all, I am apparently horrible at seeing the pictures correctly. I say this mainly because when ordered I thought it was like normal rice as it shipped dry. Wrong! The reason I cannot find it in bigger bags is because it is pacaged in a water-like fluid. so following the instructions on the back I see another thing that concerns me it said that the order was normal. Ok so when I see this I instantly was thinking that they had to have had a lot of complaints to print that on the bag. But it said the oder would go away... Once I rinsed it and boiled it and used a pan on med to high heat to dry it. Why do I feel like I'm doing laundry and not making dinner? Maybe because the smell can remind you of how your clothes smell in the hamper after a long day of selling fish on the docks. Not so good. Still I thought give it a try, ok so I followed the instructions and I even added a little bit of salt and tryed it with some chicken marsala. I still couldn't get over the fish smell. Now the texture was not bad, it wasn't great but not bad it was kind of a tapioca like bouncy texture. I try to find some good in the situation but I can't think of a thing I would use this for, I have tried a couple of rice alternatives and I would say the best at the moment is "riced cauliflower" so as far as I can tell this is just the top part of the cauliflower chopped into rice sized pieces and flash frozen. This is actually pretty good and that is saying something because I am not a fan of cauliflower! So in the end I would have to rate this 1 star not because it's a bad product because I personally would prefer to eat.. something else.

Good carb alternative

S.G. · March 6, 2012

(function() { P.when('cr-A', 'ready').execute(function(A) { if(typeof A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel === 'function') { A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel('review_text_read_more', 'Read more of this review', 'Read less of this review'); } }); })(); .review-text-read-more-expander:focus-visible { outline: 2px solid #2162a1; outline-offset: 2px; border-radius: 5px; } This will not be to everyone's taste. The smell which is quite fishy goes away once you wash and boil pasta for 1 min. Don't be put off by it.The pasta has no taste until you combine it with garlic/ginger/sauce etc. I just want to feel full and consume less calories, this is ideal. You can eat about 300 calories less per meal and still feel satisfied. This makes things a little easier as you feel full for longer. Texture is slightly more rubbery than rice noodles, will take a while to get used to it. Buy it and try it.

Perfect for Keto diet! Will buy again.

K.H.J. · May 28, 2020

Good product for Keto diet! One packet lasts me 2 meals. Follow the cooking instructions on the package. I did not get any fishy smells that people complain about.This noodles is mostly make of water and does absorb a lot flavour when cooking. So put extra sauce/flavouring when you’re cooking otherwise it will taste bland.Pad thai and Chowmein works really well with this noodlesI was kind of sad about the price. But I got a lot of meals out of it. So I guess it’s okay.

I love them but they are expensive

C. · March 7, 2013

I wasn't sure I'm gonna like these noodles because the chewy taste that everyone says it has but I must say that I love them. Isn't much difference between them and spaghetti pasta especially if you dip them in a rich sauce as they do take the taste of the sauce. I've placed another order but I think it will be the last one as I find them far too expensive.If you are on a long-term diet I would recommend them as a treat,once in a while.

Replaces pasta… guilt free

Y. · November 1, 2022

Rinse well. You will get used to the texture. It tastes like whatever sauce you serve with it. Freezes well. I use the « rice » or « noodle » depending on what I make.

They are filling and I didn't find their smell offensive

M.M. · January 4, 2013

If they worked out at less than £3 a bag I'd have made it 5 stars.I didn't put my nose right into the opened bag, but had a quick sniff before rinsing with water, couldn't smell anything. Then boiled them for 2 Mins whilst I heated the mince, tomato and garlic sauce. Once boiled I added the meat sauce and a tiny bit of cheese.What were they like? Better than expected. They do take up whatever flavour is poured over them. They do look like very white worms, but if you don't look too close it's not a problem. Their texture is another thing. They are chewy in a kind of very thin rubber band way but easily chewable and as long as you have them with enough sauce again, it's fine.So in summary, I found the taste and smell negliable, the colour and texture a bit bizarre, but on the whole it does the job of being a filling substitute to the usual carbs. It only added 5 cals to a tiny dish of meat sauce and now I'm stuffed :) would have them daily if they weren't so expensive, but I will have them regularly.