Grain
Dried Ramen Noodles (Chuka Soba)
Availability:
★
★
★
☆
☆
(Asian supermarket)
⚠️ gluten
What is it?
Wheat noodles made with kansui, an alkaline salt. The alkali gives ramen its yellow colour and springy bite.
Substitution Guide
✅
Best Substitute
Fresh Ramen Noodles
Fresh noodles have the same kansui and a better texture. They cook in ninety seconds instead of four minutes.
⚠️
Acceptable
Thin Chinese Egg Noodles
Egg noodles are close in shape but softer. They soak up soup faster and go limp in the bowl.
🚫
NEVER Use
Italian Spaghetti
Spaghetti has no kansui, so it has none of the springiness. It also clouds the soup with starch.
Related Ingredients
Did you know?
🔬Kansui was found by accident in Inner Mongolia. The lake water there was alkaline. Ramen exists because of that water.
Sensory Profile
Faint alkaline smell when raw. Firm, springy bite with a clean snap. Pale yellow even before cooking.
