14 Types of Noodles Coming to a Dinner Table Near You

A staple in Japanese cuisine, ramen noodles are made from wheat flour and have a slightly chewy texture. Best served in broth, they also pair well with a dipping sauce and are sometimes pan fried for added crispness.

Udon noodles are thick, wheat noodles known for their soft, chewy bite. They’re ideal in soups, served cold, or with light dipping sauces.

Made from buckwheat flour, soba noodles are a go-to in Japan. These buckwheat noodles are served chilled in summer or in hot broth in colder seasons.

Found in both Asian noodles and Italian pasta noodles, these are made from wheat flour and egg. They work well in chow mein, lo mein, and even baked dishes.

Also called mung bean noodles, these thin noodles are made from starches like sweet potato starch. Often used in stir fries or cold salads, they become transparent when cooked.

Rice noodles made from rice flour come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Popular in Southeast Asian cuisines, they include rice stick noodles, flat rice noodles, and pad Thai noodles.

These ultra-thin rice noodles cook in just a few minutes. They’re perfect for stir-fried dishes like Singapore noodles and cold salads, or deep fried into crispy nests.

Known as miracle noodles, shirataki noodles are nearly calorie-free and made from the konjac yam. Gluten-free and great with light sauces, they’re a modern favorite.

These Chinese wheat noodles are often stir fried and pair beautifully with soy sauce, meat sauces, and veggies. Chow mein delivers both flavor and texture.

Softer than chow mein, lo mein noodles are wheat flour-based and ideal for saucy dishes. They soak up sauce pairings like garlic soy or hoisin.

One of the thinnest types of pasta, angel hair is best served with delicate sauces like pesto or light tomato.

Ziti noodles are short, tube-shaped pasta ideal for baked dishes. They hold up well under chunky tomato or cheese-based sauces.

Stuffed pasta (think ravioli or tortellini) adds a flavor burst and pairs well with cream sauces, tomato sauces, or even olive oil.

Found in Chinese cuisine, hand-pulled noodles are a visual and culinary treat. Their stretchable dough makes them chewy and ideal for broths or stir fries.

A broad term for dry pasta like spaghetti, penne, and fusilli. Great with chunky meat, thick sauces, or light sauces, these noodles are the backbone of Italian cuisine.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.