Glass Noodles (Cellophane)

Glass noodles. cellophane noodles, or fensi are a type of transparent noodle made from starch (such as mung bean starch, potato starch, sweet potato starch, tapioca, or canna starch) and water. A stabilizer such as chitosan (or alum, illegal in some jurisdictions) may also be used. They are generally sold in dried form, soaked to reconstitute, then used in soups, stir-fried dishes, or spring rolls. They are called "cellophane noodles" or "glass noodles" because of their cellophane- or glass-like transparency when cooked. Cellophane noodles should not be confused with rice vermicelli, which are made from rice and are white in colour rather than clear (after cooking in water). Glass noodles are transparent strands of starch derived from various tubers and beans. For the most part, they're tasteless and used as a conduit for flavour - dressed with spicy chili sauce or a robust sesame oil dressing.