A new type of noodle is starting to make waves in the North American market. This is a type of Japanese food that has zero calories but packed with numerous health benefits (similar properties to the Japanese Nagaimo Yam). For these reasons, many people consider this food as a miracle noodle. We are referring to the famous Shirataki noodles.

History of Shirataki Noodles

These famous noodles started their humble origins in Japan. The Japanese have been eating these Japanese noodles for many years and, like many other types of Japanese food, they have recently gained popularity in North America. The noodle are made from a certain type of yam called the konjac plant.

 Konjac Plant - WikiC -BotBln

Konyakku, its Japanese name, is a type of plant that grows in subtropical to tropical Asian countries such as Japan and China all the way down to the south of Indonesia. The noodles are made from yam like tubers that are made into a cake that is pushed through a wooden box with grids of sharp blades. This results in what is called shirataki which is sold in black and white colors.

by  crd! 

The Taste of Shirataki Noodles and How It Can Be Eaten

The smell of the Shirataki noodles is not pleasant for everybody. But you can get rid of this smell by simply soaking and rinsing the noodles with cold water. You can also boil these noodles in water with a ½ tablespoon of salt for a couple of minutes.

Not only are Shirataki noodles are great for Asian cooking, they can also be used as a substitute for the conventional Italian pasta. You can put garlic, ginger, soy sauce, curry powder or sesame oil in the noodles.

^{by arnold | inuyaki - Sukiyaki Items which includes yam noodles} 

Stir fried shirataki noodles with tofu, lots of vegetables and lean meat makes a great dish. Many diners would love to have this noodle immersed in miso soup because of its balanced taste. For meats you can add lean pork or chicken, and beef. Green leafy vegetables and other veggies like broccoli and cauliflower can be used as well.

Shirataki Noodle Meal with Veggies and Chicken -Otsuka Makoto Flickr

Health Benefits

• This type of noodle is today's miracle food because of its nutritional benefits:
• Lowers cholesterol levels in the body
• Improvement of digestion due to its high fiber content
• Lowers blood sugar levels in the body
• Improves intestinal function
• Strengthens bones due to its calcium content

The Shirataki Noodle Trend

Today, the demand for the Shirataki noodles is quite high. People who have weight problems are putting a lot of hope in this amazing food. With good preparation, its unique taste compliments culinary spices like pepper, coriander, oregano and curry. Athletes are starting to include these noodles in their diet. There are simply no limits to the growing reputation of this wonder food - the Shirataki miracle noodles.  One last note, if for some reason you do not like noodles, you can try Shirataki in rice format.