5.0 from 165 votes
Glass noodle salad (cellophane / bean thread noodles)
Recipe video above. This Asian-style salad combines glass noodles with fresh herbs, vegetables and shredded chicken with a hoisin dressing that's slightly creamy so it clings nicely to the slippery noodles. The lime cashew crumble really makes this, so don't skip it!Terrific no-cook meal for hot summer nights. Skip the chicken to turn it into a fabulous starch + veg side for Asian meals. Serves 3 to 4 as a meal, 5 to 6 as a side. More meal-size salads here!
Prep Time
20 mins
Servings: 3 - 4
Calories: 617 kcal
Course:
Side Dish , Main Course , Salad
Cuisine:
Asian
Ingredients
Glass noodle salad:
- 100 g / 3.5 oz bean thread vermicelli noodles / cellophane noodles (Note 1)
- 3 cups shredded cooked chicken (about 1/2 store bought roast chicken) (Note 2)
- 2 packed cups (180g) green cabbage, finely sliced
- 1 cucumber , cut in half, sliced 3mm / 1/8" thick on the diagonal
- 1 carrot , peeled then julienned
- 2 green onion stems , finely sliced on a diagonal
- 1 cup lightly packed coriander/cilantro leaves
- 1 cup lightly packed mint leaves
Lime cashew crumble:
- 1 cup unsalted roasted cashew nuts , roughly chopped
- 1 1/2 tsp lime zest
- 2 tsp lime juice
- 3/4 tsp caster sugar / superfine sugar (sub ordinary / granulated)
- 1/2 tsp cooking/kosher salt
Creamy hoisin dressing:
- 3 tbsp light soy sauce
- 3 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 1/2 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 1/2 tbsp canola oil
- 1 1/2 tbsp Kewpie mayonnaise (or other mayo) (Note 3)
- 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 3/4 tsp finely grated fresh ginger
- 1/4 tsp Chinese five spice powder (Note 4)
Instructions
- Glass noodles: Place dry noodles in a bowl and cover with freshly boiled water. Leave for 3 to 4 minutes or until transparent and softened. Drain using a colander, rinse under tap water (for rapid cool and reduce stickiness) then detangle using your fingers. Drain thoroughly before use. Set aside to fully cool.
- Lime cashew crumble: Place ingredients in a bowl and toss. (No marinating time needed)
- Dressing: Place ingredients in a jar and shake until well combined.
- Salad: Place glass noodle salad ingredients in a large bowl. Pour over dressing, toss well. Add half the cashews, toss again.
- Serve: Transfer to a large salad bowl or individual bowls. Sprinkle with remaining lime cashew crumble and serve!
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Glass noodles are sold labelled as bean thread vermicelli noodles or cellophane noodles. Once soaked, they become transparent, hence the name! I use Double Pheonix brand which is sold at everyday grocery stores (Asian aisle) and Asian stores. See photos in post. Substitute with vermicelli noodles.
- Ignore packet if it says to soak in cold water. It takes "forever" / sometimes just doesn't work at all.
- Chicken - Or poach your own, or use leftover cooked chicken or other proteins. To make this a side salad, skip the chicken and increase the vegetables.
- Kewpie is a Japanese brand of mayonnaise that's widely available these days, sold in the Asian section of grocery stores. It's such a small amount it's fine to substitute with another mayo. To make a mayo-free version, substitute with more canola oil. Tahini would also work as a thickener and double up on lovely sesame flavour.
- Chinese five spice is a spice blend available at everyday grocery stores. It's a spice mix made with star anise, cloves, Chinese cinnamon, fennel and Sichuan pepper than is used widely in Chinese cooking as well as other Asian cuisines such as Vietnamese.
- Storage: Keep the lime cashew crumble and dressing separate from the salad. Toss just prior to serving. Once dressed, best consumed that day. Lime cashew crumble will keep for a few days but lime flavour fades so best to make fresh. Dressing will keep for 3 days.
- Nutrition per serving, assuming 4 servings. 178 calories per serving is attributable to the cashews. I cannot recommend skipping it (because it's SO GOOD!) but if you are really counting calories then it's an option..... Remember, this is for a relatively generous serving and it's for a complete meal that is satisfying!
Nutrition Information
Calories
617cal
(31%)
Carbohydrates
41g
(14%)
Protein
41g
(82%)
Fat
33g
(51%)
Saturated Fat
5g
(25%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
9g
Monounsaturated Fat
15g
Trans Fat
0.03g
Cholesterol
92mg
(31%)
Sodium
1247mg
(52%)
Potassium
753mg
(22%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
7g
(14%)
Vitamin A
2724IU
(54%)
Vitamin C
18mg
(20%)
Calcium
75mg
(8%)
Iron
5mg
(28%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 3- 4
Amount Per Serving
Calories 617
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 617cal | 31% |
| Carbohydrates | 41g | 14% |
| Protein | 41g | 82% |
| Fat | 33g | 51% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 9g | 53% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 15g | 75% |
| Trans Fat | 0.03g | 2% |
| Cholesterol | 92mg | 31% |
| Sodium | 1247mg | 52% |
| Potassium | 753mg | 16% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 7g | 14% |
| Vitamin A | 2724IU | 54% |
| Vitamin C | 18mg | 20% |
| Calcium | 75mg | 8% |
| Iron | 5mg | 28% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.