America's Test Kitchen LogoCook's Country LogoCook's Illustrated Logo
Expert advice for every cook
Log InJoin Now

Reviews You Can Trust.
See Why.

Dried Rice Noodles

We gathered three national brands, tasting them plain and in our Thai noodle stir-fry.

Published Sept. 1, 2012.
Save
Saved

Top Pick

WinnerA Taste of Thai Straight Cut Rice Noodles

These noodles were wider, flatter, and firmer than the rest, with a “toothsome but satisfying chew.” Their flat shape encouraged char, yielding the best results in our stir-fry recipe.
Cooked Width: 5.69 mmPrice at Time of Testing: $6.59 for 16 ounces (41 cents per ounce)
Learn More
These noodles were wider, flatter, and firmer than the rest, with a “toothsome but satisfying chew.” Their flat shape encouraged char, yielding the best results in our stir-fry recipe.
Cooked Width: 5.69 mmPrice at Time of Testing: $6.59 for 16 ounces (41 cents per ounce)
Learn More
See Everything We Tested

What You Need to Know

When cooked, a good dried rice noodle (made from ground rice and water) should taste like fresh rice with a tender but not mushy bite. We gathered three national brands, tasting them plain and in our Thai noodle stir-fry. Each brand looked slightly different: One boasted wider, flat noodles; the others resembled spaghetti with more narrow, rounded strands. Tasted plain, the brands were very similar, but in our stir-fry, one stood out: The broad, planklike strands of our winner delivered far more of the char that is critical to the dish.

Everything We Tested

Highly Recommended

WinnerA Taste of Thai Straight Cut Rice Noodles

These noodles were wider, flatter, and firmer than the rest, with a “toothsome but satisfying chew.” Their flat shape encouraged char, yielding the best results in our stir-fry recipe.
Cooked Width: 5.69 mmPrice at Time of Testing: $6.59 for 16 ounces (41 cents per ounce)
These noodles were wider, flatter, and firmer than the rest, with a “toothsome but satisfying chew.” Their flat shape encouraged char, yielding the best results in our stir-fry recipe.
Cooked Width: 5.69 mmPrice at Time of Testing: $6.59 for 16 ounces (41 cents per ounce)

Recommended

Annie Chun’s Pad Thai Rice Noodles

The thinnest of the three brands we tested, these noodles had a “toothsome but tender” bite and a “slightly sweet,” “buttery” flavor.
Cooked Width: 2.77 mmPrice at Time of Testing: $3.79 for 8 ounces (47 cents per ounce)
The thinnest of the three brands we tested, these noodles had a “toothsome but tender” bite and a “slightly sweet,” “buttery” flavor.
Cooked Width: 2.77 mmPrice at Time of Testing: $3.79 for 8 ounces (47 cents per ounce)

Thai Kitchen Stir-Fry Rice Noodles

These noodles boasted a clean flavor that tasted like “fresh rice,” but their texture was “soft” and lacked “chew.”
Cooked Width: 3.78 mmPrice at Time of Testing: $3.19 for 14 ounces (23 cents per ounce)
These noodles boasted a clean flavor that tasted like “fresh rice,” but their texture was “soft” and lacked “chew.”
Cooked Width: 3.78 mmPrice at Time of Testing: $3.19 for 14 ounces (23 cents per ounce)

*All products reviewed by America’s Test Kitchen are independently chosen, researched, and reviewed by our editors. We buy products for testing at retail locations and do not accept unsolicited samples for testing. We list suggested sources for recommended products as a convenience to our readers but do not endorse specific retailers. When you choose to purchase our editorial recommendations from the links we provide, we may earn an affiliate commission. Prices are subject to change.

Reviews You Can Trust

The mission of America’s Test Kitchen Reviews is to find the best equipment and ingredients for the home cook through rigorous, hands-on testing. Have a question or suggestion? Send us an email at atkreviews@americastestkitchen.com. We appreciate your feedback!

Related Reviews and Recipes

Average rating 4, 85 ratings.
Average rating 4.5, 21 ratings.
Average rating 4, 225 ratings.
Average rating 4, 31 ratings.

Ingredient

Egg Noodles

More in Pasta, Grains, & Beans

Reviews You Can Trust.
See Why.

This is a members' feature.

America's Test Kitchen LogoCook's Country LogoCook's Illustrated Logo