| Kelp noodles | |
| Alternate Name: | Cheon Sa Chae, Angel threads, Angel noodles |
| Region: | East Asia |
| Type: | Noodles |
| Main Ingredient: | Alginic acid from kelp |
| Calories: | 6 |
| Protein: | 0 |
| Fat: | 0 |
| Carbohydrate: | 1 |
Kelp noodles or cheon sa chae,[1] are semi-transparent noodles made from the jelly-like extract left after steaming edible kelp. They are made without the addition of grain flour or starch.[2] Kelp noodles have a crunchy texture and are low in calories.[3] They can be eaten raw, in salads, but for added taste, some prefer to cook them in water with spices added for flavoring. Many restaurants serve kelp noodles in stir fry dishes. The noodles usually require rinsing before being added to a stir fry dish towards the end of cooking time.
Kelp noodles are cholesterol, fat, and gluten-free, and also rich in nutrients.[4] A 1/2 cup serving includes 186 milligrams of sodium, 134 milligrams of calcium, 2.28 milligrams of iron, and 52.8 micrograms of vitamin K.[5] They are a good dietary source of iodine. Consumers with thyroid and heart disease should take the sodium and iodine content into account.
Kelp noodles are mostly prepared in various Asian cuisine as a low-carbohydrate substitute for rice and pasta.[6] They are commonly used in soups, salads, stir-fries and vegetable side dishes. Since they have a neutral taste they take on the flavors of the dishes to which they are added. The noodles can be purchased online or in health food supermarkets, and restaurants are beginning to offer kelp noodles as an alternative to more traditional noodles or rice in their dishes.
The popularity of kelp noodles among health-conscious consumers is growing because of the rising demand for gluten-free food products.[7]