When most people think of seafood, the first animals that come to mind are lobsters, fish, and shrimp. But really, seafood doesn’t have to contain any sea creatures at all. Our oceans are also home to nutritious vegetables, one of which is kelp, a type of long brown seaweed.
Kelp is incredibly versatile. They can be eaten raw, roasted, pickled, steamed and used in many different dishes, but one of the most popular ways to eat them is in the form of noodles. Here’s everything you need to know about kelp noodles, from what they are, to how they taste, and how to cook them. Plus, we’ll share some delicious vegan recipe ideas.
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What is kombu noodles?
Kombu noodles were first developed in Korea, where they are called. Cheong Sa-chae. They look similar to vermicelli noodles (also called cellophane noodles) because they are often translucent in appearance, but they are processed quite differently.
Vermicelli is made from starch and water, while kombu noodles are made from dried, peeled and ground kelp. These are then mixed with water and sodium alginate, a type of salt found naturally in the cell walls of kelp. The result is gluten-free, smooth and versatile noodles that can be used in stir-fries, salads, curries and more.
Are kombu noodles fishy?
Kombu grows naturally on coastlines around the world and, in its unprocessed state, has a slightly “fishy” taste (which is not surprising since it lives and grows in the same environment as fish). However, even if you don’t like fish flavor, don’t put your kelp noodles away. This is because when kombu is processed into noodles, the fishy smell disappears completely. In fact, kelp noodles have an incredibly mild and neutral taste and are intended to add texture to a dish rather than enhance its flavor. That said, they are very good at absorbing flavors from other ingredients they cook with.
Is kombu noodles good for you?
Although kelp noodles are high in sodium alginate (which has little nutritional value), they are still a source of nutrients such as calcium, iron, iodine and vitamin K. Plus, it’s packed with antioxidants, low in calories, and a great source of dietary fiber.
How to make kombu noodles
There are many ways to make kelp noodles. In fact, you don’t even need to cook them at all, as they are safe to consume raw if you want a very fuss-free dish. However, if you prefer a hot meal, stir-frying the kelp noodles is the best cooking method, but you can also add kelp noodles to the soup.
Want to try kelp noodles but don’t know where to start? You’ve come to the right place. We’ve rounded up our favorite vegan kelp noodle recipes below.
Vegan recipe using kombu noodles
Sepsenaki Ark
1 Vegan pesto kelp noodles
Pasta and pesto is a tried and tested and widely loved combination. But if you want to upgrade this faithful dish, swap out the Italian pasta for smooth, silky kelp noodles. This soaks up the flavor of homemade pesto beautifully. If you want an extra zesty saltiness, mix in plenty of capers.
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2 Kombu noodle loin noodles
Developed in China, lo-men is usually made with beaten egg noodles. But if you want to substitute vegan or gluten-free options, kelp noodles make a great alternative. Packed with your favorite stir-fried veggies, this dish is quick to make, tastes just as good as takeout, and is nutritious.
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3 Spicy tahini kelp noodles
Thanks to its mild, clean taste, kelp noodles are probably at their best when paired with bold, flavorful sauces. This recipe mixes creamy, rich tahini with peanut butter, ginger, and chili garlic for just the right amount of spice and a very satisfying midweek meal.
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Four Sesame mushroom kelp noodles
When you’ve run out of unique and delicious lunch ideas, the Sesame Shiitake Kombu Noodles Topped with Creamy Peanut Sauce recipe is worth trying. A delicious dish, including juicy sautéed mushrooms, is ready in about 20 minutes.
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Five Kombu Noodle Salad
Perhaps salads have an unfair reputation for being boring. But this recipe proves that is never the case. Not only is it flavorful, it’s super quick to mix (in fact, 10 minutes is enough) and easy. No need to fry the noodles, just wash them and soak them in hot water with baking soda and lemon juice. Or you can add it completely raw if you prefer.
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6 Kelp Noodle Pad Thai
Pad Thai is one of the most loved Thai dishes. It is usually made with rice vermicelli, but you can replace it with kombu if you prefer. It’s usually topped with peanuts, but if you want something different, this dish suggests replacing the peanuts with pili nuts (a type of nutrient-rich tree nut).
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7 red curry peanut kelp noodle salad
The fragrant Thai-style red curry goes well with the kombu noodles. In this recipe, the noodles and vegetables (such as broccoli and green peppers) are left raw, tossed with red curry paste, miso, spices, peanut butter, and generously topped with chopped peanuts.
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