Egg Noodles vs Rice Noodles: What’s The Difference?

Both egg noodles and rice noodles are very tasty and very popular, especially in Asian cuisine. For many people, these types of noodles are the perfect comfort food.

You can make them with little effort in no time and combine them with a variety of other dishes according to your personal preferences.

Now, let’s take a close look at both dishes and see what makes them similar and what sets them apart, so you will know exactly what to choose next time!

Egg Noodles vs Rice Noodles: Comparison Chart

Egg Noodles vs Rice Noodles Taste

In terms of taste, you will notice that egg noodles tend to have a more filling flavor and texture compared to rice noodles.

Rice noodles lack flavor compared to egg noodles and other types of noodles. However, that doesn’t mean you will not like them. They have a neutral flavor and a mild rice taste that some people prefer over the wheat and egg taste of the eggs noodles.

If you want your noodles more for texture than for taste then opt for rice noodles. However, if you prefer a flavor that is closer to pasta, you will definitely prefer egg noodles.

Egg Noodles vs Rice Noodles Calories

If you want to watch your calorie intake, you should know the difference between egg noodles and rice noodles. As we mentioned before, rice noodles are lighter in terms of calories with only 192 calories per cup. Egg noodles however come with an average of 221 per cup.

As a general rule, egg noodles will be richer in calories than rice noodles. However, the number of calories they have will vary according to the recipe used to make each type of noodles.

It is recommended to read the wrapping of your noodle package in order to establish how many calories they have and plan your diet accordingly.

Which Is Better: White Rice Or Egg Noodles?

To decide which one is better, you will have to get familiar with the features of both dishes. And once you have all the information, it will be down to your personal choice.

Rice noodles

Rice noodles are made from rice flour mixed with water.

Depending on the brand that you prefer some of them might also contain tapioca or cornstarch in order to be more sticky and chewy. They also come in different sizes and thickness levels, thus they can be perfect for a wide range of dishes.

The flavor of rice noodles is neutral which makes them great for soups, stir-fries, and as a side dish if you season them properly. You can also use them in salads if you prefer a more consistent meal.

In terms of nutrition, these noodles are low in protein and high in fat and carbs. One cup of rice noodles will contain 192 calories and 1.20 grams of fat.

We also have to mention that rice noodles originated in China, during the Qin dynasty and they spread all over Asia before reaching the rest of the globe.

Egg noodles

On the other hand, egg noodles contain wheat flour and eggs.

You will find them in different levels of thickness as well but they all taste mostly the same since there are no extra ingredients added.

We will have to mention an important difference here and that is the fact that egg noodles are high in protein, due to the eggs they contain.

They also absorb water faster than other noodles which makes them preferable for stir-fries and salads rather than soups. But ultimately, you can use them in soups as well, if you so want.

These noodles have a chewy texture and can stay firm for a long time in your food if you don’t overcook them. They also have less cholesterol and carbs and they come with about 221 calories per cup.

Egg noodles come from Italy where they are known as all’uovo pasta which means pasta with eggs. Egg noodles spread from Italy to Europe and then to the rest of the world and they became a great competitor for rice noodles and any other types of noodles.

Which One To Choose?

Looking beyond the personal taste, there might be some aspects that help you determine which one to choose.

For instance, if you are gluten intolerant or vegan, you will like rice noodles better. People who have diabetes might also choose rice noodles over egg noodles since they are high in carbs that the body can use to transform into energy.

If you are a vegetarian, you might prefer egg noodles since they are protein-rich. Some people also choose egg noodles because they have a richer taste and they tend to be more filling as well.

Can You Replace Egg Noodles With Rice Noodles?

Egg noodles and rice noodles can be used interchangeably. However, keep in mind that one is vegan while the other one is not.

Consider the recommendations of each recipe since egg noodles are more water-absorbent and they might not be as good for soups and stews as rice noodles.

If you substitute rice noodles with egg noodles or the other way around, you should take into account the different cooking methods as well.

The cooking time differs as rice noodles need to be soaked in hot water for 1-2 minutes as you will see indicated on the packages. Egg noodles, on the other hand, need to be boiled for 5 minutes.

The cooking time will also vary depending on the thickness of the noodles as well as the brand. Choose the types of noodles that will taste well and look good in your food. Also, get the ones that fit your health standards as well.

Wrap Up

Egg noodles and rice noodles are similar in terms of the fact that you can successfully use them interchangeably, but they are not the same.

The differences between these two types of noodles will be obvious as soon as you start cooking them. Rice noodles tend to remain white in color, especially if they were made of white rice flour. Egg noodles turn a yellow shade when they are boiled and ready to eat.

When you choose between these types of noodles, you can consider not only the differences between these two types of noodles but also what you like more.

However, regardless of your choice, none of these noodles will disappoint you because they can enrich the taste of any type of recipe and they make for the best food you can have if you are in a hurry.