Glass Noodle Soup

This Glass Noodle Soup is made with ground pork for a super flavorful Asian inspired main dish. It comes together in less than 30 minutes so it’s just as fast as it is yummy!  

Glass Noodle Soup Ingredients

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Garlic Cloves
• Ground Pork
• Salt
• Ground Cloves
• Molasses:  Make sure to use blackstrap molasses as it’s less processed. Plus, if you are AIP, blackstrap molasses is elimination stage compliant.
• Cinnamon Stick
• Fish Sauce: This brand of fish sauce is preferred.
• Chicken Broth or bone broth: Homemade is best!
• Baby Spinach
• Scallions
• Sweet Potato Glass Noodles: This brand of sweet potato glass noodles is preferred as they are organic and AIP compliant. However, any glass noodles (mung bean, rice, cellophane, etc.) will do. Please note that changing the type of noodles may change the cooking time so take care to read the directions on the packaging and prepare accordingly.

How to make glass noodle soup

1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add pork, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt, ground cloves, and molasses then cook, stirring and breaking up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, 5-8 minutes.

2. Add the cinnamon stick, broth, and fish sauce then bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until flavors meld, 8–10 minutes.

3. Add noodles, scallions and cook, stirring occasionally, until the noodles are cooked, about 5 minutes.

4. Remove from the heat and add the spinach then stir to combine.

5. Season the soup with salt, to taste. Divide noodles among bowls and ladle soup over.

Tips for making the best Glass Noodle Soup

• Ground beef is a good substitute for pork, but pork is preferred. Pork adds a lot of flavor and beef will change the taste.
• Make sure to use blackstrap molasses as it’s less processed. Plus, if you are AIP, blackstrap molasses is elimination stage compliant.
• This brand of fish sauce is preferred.
• This brand of sweet potato glass noodles is preferred as they are organic and AIP compliant. However, any glass noodles (mung bean, rice, cellophane, etc.) will do. Please note that changing the type of noodles may change the cooking time so take care to read the directions on the packaging and prepare accordingly.
• This recipe is soy free. We’ve used a combination of salt, fish sauce and molasses to give the salty umami flavor that is usually obtained from soy sauce.
• This recipe is also sesame free. Therefore, no sesame oil is required.  
• This recipe comes together very quickly, I highly recommend that you have all your ingredients ready before you begin cooking.
• This recipe can be made in the instant pot. However, you won’t be using the pressure cooker settings. You’ll need to use the sauté function.

FAQ About Cellophane Noodles

There are lots of confusion about sweet potato glass noodles and cellophane noodles in general. I’m answering all of your questions below!

What is in a glass noodle?

Glass noodles (also known as cellophane noodles) are made from the starch of tubers (potatoes) or beans. They are clear noodles that can come in various shapes and sizes. And can be used in sweet or savory dishes.  

What does glass noodle taste like?

Cellophane noodles are generally tasteless and take on the flavor of whatever sauce they are served with.

Are glass noodles the same as pad Thai noodles?

Pad Thai Noodles are rice noodles. They are made with rice not potato or bean starch.

Are glass noodles the same as rice noodles?

Rice noodles will be white and softer than glass noodles. Glass noodles will be clear when cooked.

Is vermicelli the same as glass noodles?

Vermicelli is the Italian word for ‘little worm.’ It refers to the shape of the noodle, which is very thin, like capellini. Capellini is round like spaghetti but smaller in diameter. Vermicelli does not refer to a type of noodle. You can have vermicelli rice noodles, vermicelli glass noodles, etc.

As you can see in this AIP Ground Beef Stroganoff with Spinach recipe, the noodles used are sweet potato starch noodles, but they are flat and wide. Still glass noodles but in a different shape.

What is glass noodle soup?

Glass Noodle Soup is essentially soup made with cellophane noodles. It doesn’t refer to a specific type of soup. While sweet potato glass noodles are very popular in Korean cooking such as in Japchae, this specific recipe is Asian inspired. It’s not based in any one culture (Thai, Vietnamese, Chinese, Korean, etc.).

If you’re looking for a specific Chinese soup, try my AIP Instant Pot Congee. If you’re looking for a Thai soup, try my AIP Coconut Milk Curry Soup. It uses an Thai inspired coconut curry paste. If you’re looking for a Vietnamese soup, try this Vietnamese Tapioca Pudding or che chuoi chung. It’s a dessert soup.

How to cook glass noodles in soup?

It’s easy! Just drop them in and let them cook. Please note that if you are using a different type of glass noodle the cooking time may vary. You should read the directions on the packaging and adjust accordingly.

Do noodles get soggy in soup?

Glass noodles are different from pasta or rice noodles as they don’t get soggy or disintegrate in liquid. They do a really good job or retaining their shape and sticking together.

Do you have to soak glass noodles?

For these specific glass noodles, you do not need to soak them. Like I mentioned before, you should read the instructions on the packaging. Different type of noodles or brands of noodle may have different directions.

What are the benefits of glass noodles?

• Good source of complex carbohydrates. This makes them good fuel for your body.
• Allergy friendly. Sweet potato glass noodles specifically are good for people avoiding legumes or grains.
• Easy to digest. As these glass noodles don’t contain legumes or grains, they are easier to digest.

Are glass noodles gluten free?

Yes. These are naturally gluten free as they are made with sweet potato starch rather than wheat flour. These sweet potato starch noodles are also grain free as they aren’t made with rice or corn either.

Are glass noodles easy to digest?

Unless you have a sensitivity to the ingredients used (tubers or beans) then yes, they are easier to digest than wheat pasta or rice noodles.

Can I use other kinds of noodles?

You can use whatever noodles you prefer. However, it will change the cooking time and flavor of the soup.

If you like this simple Glass Noodle Soup, then you’ll love these pasta and noodle recipes.

• AIP Ground Beef Stroganoff with Spinach
• AIP Hot Pot
• AIP Rice and Pasta (Rice ‘A’ Roni copycat)

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Helpful Info for All Recipes

• I always use extra virgin olive oil in all of my recipes unless stated otherwise.
• I always use Himalayan sea salt or Celtic sea salt, unless otherwise noted.
• The majority of my recipes are strict AIP or include notations for reintroductions. However while I make every effort to label non-AIP ingredients and recipes sometimes they slip past me. If you have questions, please ask in advance.

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