Fresh rice noodles (河粉) are loved for their smooth, silky texture and delicate bite. Unlike dried noodles, fresh rice noodles require a little extra care to maintain their quality. With the right storage method, you can keep your noodles soft, easy to separate, and ready for delicious stir-fries whenever you need them.
At Lian Huat, our fresh rice noodles are made locally in New Zealand without preservatives that compromise their natural texture. Follow this simple guide to enjoy the best results every time.
Why Proper Storage Matters
Fresh rice noodles are naturally soft and moist. If they are refrigerated immediately after purchase, they can become firm and stick together. Proper storage helps preserve their signature texture while making cooking much easier.
Step 1: Keep at Room Temperature
When you first receive your fresh rice noodles, leave them at room temperature while they are still soft.
Do not refrigerate them immediately. Chilling the noodles too soon can cause them to harden and stick together, making them more difficult to separate later.
Step 2: Loosen & Portion
While the noodles remain soft and flexible, gently separate them by hand.
Divide them into your preferred serving sizes and place each portion into a sealed bag or airtight container.
This makes future meals more convenient and helps prevent the noodles from sticking together during storage.
Step 3: Refrigerate
Once portioned, store the noodles in the refrigerator inside a sealed bag or airtight container.
Do not freeze.
Freezing changes the texture of fresh rice noodles, making them brittle and more likely to break during cooking.
Preparing Rice Noodles Before Cooking
Step 4: Soften the Noodles
Before cooking, remove the noodles from the refrigerator.
Place them in a microwave-safe container with the lid loosely covered and microwave until they become soft and flexible again. Heating time depends on the quantity and how firm the noodles have become, but approximately 2 minutes is usually sufficient.
Once softened, they are ready to cook.
How to Cook Fresh Rice Noodles
Step 5: Mix with Sauce First
Place the softened noodles into a bowl and mix them evenly with your sauce before adding them to the wok.
This simple step helps the noodles absorb flavour evenly while reducing the amount of stirring required during cooking.
Step 6: Cook Your Ingredients
Stir-fry your preferred meat, seafood, tofu, and vegetables until fully cooked.
Preparing your ingredients first allows the noodles to spend less time in the wok, helping preserve their texture.
Step 7: Add the Noodles Last
Add the pre-mixed rice noodles to the wok last.
Gently toss everything together over high heat until the noodles are evenly heated and coated with the sauce.
Avoid excessive stirring, as fresh rice noodles are delicate and can break apart if overworked.
Quick Tips for Perfect Rice Noodles
Keep noodles at room temperature before portioning.
Portion into sealed bags or airtight containers before refrigerating.
Never freeze fresh rice noodles.
Microwave to soften before cooking.
Mix the noodles with sauce before adding them to the wok.
Add noodles last and stir gently over high heat.