31 Tasty and Refreshing Rice Noodle Recipes for a Quick Lunch

Edward Hickman

October 15, 2025

Achieving culinary perfection with Asian-style noodles has never been easier. With a plethora of simple and delicious rice noodle recipes at your fingertips, anyone can master this versatile dish in no time. Rice noodles are an ideal solution for quick and healthy meals, as they cook to perfection within minutes, allowing for endless experimentation with various flavors and combinations.

One of the greatest advantages of rice noodles is their adaptability – they can be served hot or cold, making them suitable for any meal occasion. Furthermore, the neutral flavor profile of these noodles makes them an excellent base for a wide range of dishes, from spicy stir-fries to savory soups. Whether you’re in the mood for something bold and adventurous or comforting and familiar, there’s a rice noodle recipe out there waiting to be devoured.

To get started, grab your chopsticks and dig into one of the 15 mouth-watering rice noodle recipes featured below – each one is a testament to the versatility and ease of preparation that these noodles offer. With every bite, you’ll discover new flavors and textures that will leave you craving more until the very last noodle is gone.

Chicken Stir-Fry With Rice Noodles

Chicken Stir-Fry With Rice Noodles

Considering your need for a quick and nutritious dinner option, this recipe is definitely worth adding to your list. Combining chicken breast with a colorful medley of vegetables provides an impressive nutritional boost. The addition of tender rice noodles and a four-ingredient sauce takes the dish to the next level. What’s more, you can have it all cooked up in just 30 minutes, making it an ideal solution for those busy weeknight evenings when time is of the essence.

15-Minute Garlic Fried Noodles

15-Minute Garlic Fried Noodles

Fresh from the kitchen in just 15 minutes, this quick meal is perfect for a busy evening. First, you’ll stir-fry garlic and green onions until they’re fragrant, which takes only a couple of minutes. Next, add in the rice noodles with some soy sauce and coconut sugar – it’s an unconventional choice, but trust us, the right balance of flavors requires a subtle sweetness to bring out the Asian flavors. To finish, squeeze on some lime juice and sprinkle a dash of Sriracha for added depth and heat.

Singapore Rice Noodles

Singapore Rice Noodles

Struggling to choose between seafood and meat? Don’t worry, we’ve got a solution that will satisfy both your cravings in one delicious dish. Shrimp takes centre stage as the surf, while pork roast plays the role of turf. To add an extra boost of protein, scrambled eggs are expertly woven into the mix. If you can’t find Chinese pork roast, feel free to substitute it with a suitable alternative like ham.

Be aware that this recipe requires a bit more effort due to its lengthy ingredient list, which is necessary for achieving well-rounded flavours. This includes essential spices such as curry powder, along with other key ingredients like Shaoxing wine and soy sauce.

Asian Noodle Bowls

Asian Noodle Bowls

Carefully crafted for those who prefer a shrimp-based dish, this recipe is an excellent alternative to traditional turf options. Combining succulent shrimp with sautéed zucchini, fluffy scrambled eggs, and soft rice noodles creates a harmonious balance of flavors and textures. The aromatic presence of garlic and ginger is perfectly complemented by the freshness of cilantro, adding depth and complexity to each bite.

The addition of peanuts provides a satisfying crunch, but feel free to omit them if you have a nut allergy or prefer to avoid nuts altogether.

Garlicky Pad See Ew

Garlicky Pad See Ew

Yellow flags should go up when you notice that pad see ew is missing from the menu in your favorite Thai restaurant. This is because this popular dish features wide rice noodles and is often considered an essential part of Thai cuisine. When made at home, it’s not only a treat for yourself but also a great way to save money. To make pad see ew, you’ll need some Chinese broccoli, wide rice noodles, and chicken as the main ingredients.

However, what really makes this dish taste like it was cooked in a restaurant is the sauce. The sauce is a combination of soy sauce, oyster sauce, and fish sauce, which provides a rich and savory flavor to the dish. It’s worth noting that fish sauce has a strong odor that some people may find overwhelming at first, but it’s an essential ingredient in many Thai dishes.

Beef Stir-Fry With Flat Rice Noodles

Beef Stir-Fry With Flat Rice Noodles

Gently swaying to the rhythm of flavors, velvety wide rice noodles take center stage in this mouthwatering dish. The noodles are expertly submerged in a spicy, tangy, and umami marinade that elevates their texture and taste to new heights. To add an extra layer of excitement, consider incorporating marinated sirloin steak, crunchy bean sprouts, and fresh green onions into the mix.

A steaming bowl of these tender noodles is sure to hit the spot and satisfy your noodle cravings without requiring hours of tedious cooking in the kitchen.

Rice Noodles With Egg and Shrimp

Rice Noodles With Egg and Shrimp

Just the right recipe for those seeking light and revitalizing noodles is presented here. It’s an excellent blend of flavors with succulent ingredients that truly come alive after adding a squeeze of lemon juice. The presence of juicy shrimp adds to the dish’s overall charm, making it a standout option in the world of noodle recipes.

When cooking this dish, don’t forget to remove the vein from the shrimp before proceeding, as neglecting to do so may result in an unpleasantly strong taste that overshadows the other flavors.

Vegan Drunken Noodles

Vegan Drunken Noodles

Zest for variety is always a challenge when it comes to ordering takeout, but with Thai food, my cravings are always consistent. Every time I order from a local restaurant, I inevitably opt for veggie drunken noodles – their flavors and textures have me hooked, making it impossible to convince myself to try something different. When I’m not in the mood to venture out, I whip up this dish at home instead.

The recipe is quite versatile, allowing me to customize with a vibrant medley of vegetables like bell peppers, green cabbage, and green onions. Tofu serves as the protein source, making it an ideal option for those following a vegan diet. A sprinkle of Thai basil adds depth without overpowering the other flavors. Preparation time is remarkably quick, and I’m convinced that these homemade noodles surpass even their takeout counterparts in terms of taste.

Hoisin Pork With Rice Noodles

Hoisin Pork With Rice Noodles

Giving comfort food a creative twist is what this Hoisin pork and noodle dish is all about. The star of the show is undoubtedly the slow-cooked pork, which absorbs every last bit of the rich and savory marinade’s flavors. On the other hand, the noodles require only a couple of minutes to cook, making them the perfect accompaniment to the tender meat.

One of the best things about this recipe is its flexibility – you can easily customize it to suit your taste by adding fresh vegetables such as bell peppers or carrots. Alternatively, if you’re in the mood for something lighter and more acidic, you could try omitting the peanut butter from the sauce. Ultimately, with pork and noodles as the base ingredients, the possibilities for delicious variations are endless.

Coconut Lime Noodle Soup

Coconut Lime Noodle Soup

Unlocking the flavors of Southeast Asia, this noodle soup is an absolute winner! It’s a harmonious blend of creamy, tropical, fresh, spicy, citrusy, and savory notes all in one delicious bowl, evoking memories of Thai coconut soups like tom kha. One of its standout features is its versatility – you can easily mix and match proteins to suit your taste, such as combining succulent shrimp with juicy chicken, just like in this recipe.

If the original recipe’s spice level proves too much for your palate, don’t worry; simply dial it back by using fewer chilis or opting for a milder alternative. Lastly, be sure to grab a spoon and some chopsticks to enjoy each mouthful perfectly – trust us, you won’t regret it!

Chili Garlic Rice Noodle Salad

Chili Garlic Rice Noodle Salad

Understanding the versatility of rice noodles is one thing, but taking them to the next level as a cold dish is quite another. Fortunately, yes, you can eat rice noodles chilled – and it’s incredibly easy! This recipe showcases how to transform chewy noodles into a vibrant salad, packed with an assortment of colorful crunchy veggies that add texture and visual appeal.

The magic lies in the dressing, which brings all the flavors together; while there isn’t a specific protein required, I’ve found tofu, shrimp, or chicken to be particularly effective additions. Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, or follow a more carnivorous diet, the beauty of this recipe is that you can select a protein source that suits your tastes and dietary needs.

Sesame Thai Rice Noodles

Sesame Thai Rice Noodles

Kick-start your meal prep routine with this mouthwatering rice noodle recipe that seamlessly combines nutritious elements with savory flavors. Key to its success is the perfect balance of vibrant veggies that add a refreshing and flavorful twist. While the chewy noodles and phenomenal sauce are certainly standouts, it’s the subtle yet pungent notes from the Thai basil and serranos that elevate this dish to new heights.

What truly makes this recipe shine is its adaptability – you can enjoy sesame Thai rice noodles either hot or cold, making it a perfect option for those with dietary restrictions, as it is both gluten-free and vegetarian. Whether you’re in the mood for a light and revitalizing meal or need something satisfying after a workout, this recipe has got you covered.

Stir-Fried Ho Fan

Stir-Fried Ho Fan

Elevating your stir-fry game is easy with ho fan, incredible tender wide and flat rice noodles that make up this dish. They’re so juicy and slurp-worthy, you almost don’t need anything other than a savory sauce to bring out their full flavor. However, adding a little bit of veggies certainly enhances the overall experience. This recipe uses an assortment of ingredients, including mushrooms, bell peppers, and Chinese chives, which blend together perfectly in harmony.

If you have access to a wok and tongs, I strongly recommend using them for this recipe, as it makes it easier to cook the veggies and noodles while keeping all the ingredients hot and fresh.

Vietnamese Noodle Salad

Vietnamese Noodle Salad

Zest for summer rolls is something I’m always craving on hot days. The trouble is that making each roll can be quite labor-intensive. That’s why I’m thoroughly impressed with this recipe! It transforms the entire summer roll ensemble into a light and revitalizing salad, so there’s no need to roll anything at all! The noodles are also incredibly convenient because they cook effortlessly in a bowl of hot water. It’s a simple process that makes a world of difference.

One of the best things about this dish is the incredible array of flavors it offers. You’ll be surprised by how well these flavors blend together, and you won’t even notice it’s a vegan option.

Pad Thai

Pad Thai

Looking at traditional Thai cuisine, no dish is more iconic than pad Thai. This beloved rice noodle dish has been a staple in Thai restaurants for decades, and its popularity shows no signs of waning. In fact, it’s surprising to learn that pad Thai wasn’t always part of the Thai culinary scene – it was actually created during World War II as a way to make use of leftover ingredients.

Despite its modern origins, this classic dish has become an integral part of Thai culture and is enjoyed by people all over the world. Pad Thai is deceptively simple to prepare, making it accessible to cooks of all skill levels. While there are many variations on the traditional recipe, a key component that sets this version apart is the combination of fish sauce and brown sugar in the sauce.

These two ingredients may seem like an unlikely pair, but they add depth and complexity to the dish that’s hard to replicate with other flavorings. To get the most out of this recipe, be sure to include a variety of textures and flavors. Adding scrambled eggs, carrots, bean sprouts, and peanuts not only adds visual appeal but also creates a harmonious balance between sweet, sour, salty, and umami flavors.

15 Healthy Rice Noodles to Try

Ranging from simple to complex, these rice noodle recipes offer a variety of options for a quick and nutritious meal. Whether you’re preparing a one-pot wonder or a multi-component dish, the versatility of rice noodles makes them an excellent choice for family meals. From stir-fry to noodle bowls to soup and salad, these easy-to-make dishes are sure to please even the pickiest eaters.

Instructions

Instructions

Reviewing the options, choose your preferred dish and list out every single ingredient needed. Prepare to cook a simple yet satisfying rice noodle meal that can be completed within half an hour.

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