My family and I spend our summers in Japan with my family. In case you weren’t aware, the heat during Japanese summers are so brutal; it’s super hot and humid. We lose appetite and become reluctant to cook in the hot kitchen. If you experience similar summer weather, or if you want to eat something light to maintain your figure in the summertime…. this chilled Honey Sesame Shirataki Noodles is a perfect idea for your summer meal!
What is Shirataki Noodles?
Shirataki Noodles, or we simply call Shirataki (しらたき) in Japan, are thin, translucent, gelatinous noodles made from a type of fiber that comes from the root of the konnyaku (konjac yam plant).
This Japanese ingredient has been around for years and is used in traditional Japanese dishes such as Sukiyaki, Nikujaga, and all kinds of hot pot dishes.
You can find shirataki noodles near tofu in the refrigerator section of Japanese grocery stores or Asian grocery stores.
Shirataki Noodles as A New Healthy Ingredient
Shirataki has been eaten since the Edo period (1600) in Japan; however, it was never viewed as a “noodle substitute” or “diet food” until recently. As shirataki noodles are made of yam noodles, they have only a few calories per serving. Here are some facts:
- Contains about 97% water and 3% glucomannan fiber (from the konjac plant)
- Very low in calories
- Contain no digestible carbs
- Very filling (“expands” in the stomach as they absorb moisture)
Flavor-wise, shirataki noodles almost have no taste so it’s great for absorbing flavors from the sauce or soup they are soaked and cooked in. And texture-wise, they are quite slippery, and slightly more difficult to pick up than noodles.
Tackle Shirataki Noodles’ Funky Smell
Let’s face the fact. Shirataki noodles are packaged in an awful-smelling liquid. Even though I am not bothered by this at all, I know some of you might. It is actually just water, but it has absorbed the odor from the konjac root. It didn’t go bad, so don’t throw it away.
It’s important to rinse them very well under cold running water and then cook in boiling water for about 2 minutes. This should remove most of the unpleasant odor.
On a side note, unlike pasta or Asian-style noodles, shirataki noodles have no starch. Therefore, after boiling they do not stick together. You can prepare them ahead of time without worrying about noodles becoming one big mess.
Delicious Honey Sesame Sauce
I mentioned earlier that shirataki noodles are flavorless but absorb many flavors from the sauce. So for this recipe, I made my Honey Sesame Sauce as it goes well with the noodles and toppings that I chose. If you have tried Japanese cold ramen called Hiyashi Chuka, this recipe is a variation of that dish. Hiyashi Chuka is a popular summer meal in Japan, and this recipe is a lighter version of it.
Fun Fact: Shirataki Noodles vs. Ito Konnyaku
Shirataki noodles are called Shirataki in eastern Japan (Tokyo area), and Ito Konnyaku (糸こんにゃく) in western Japan (Osaka area). The name difference is a result of different manufacturing methods.
In the past, ito konnyaku was prepared by cutting konnyaku jelly into threads, while shirataki is made by forcing konnyaku through small holes to get the shape.
Nowadays, both are prepared using the shirataki method but the packages keep the different names in each region. Ito konnyaku is generally thicker than shirataki, with a square cross-section and a darker color.
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Honey Sesame Shirataki Noodles
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 4 cups water (for boiling)
- ½ tsp Diamond Crystal kosher salt
- 2 Tbsp sake
- 2 green onions/scallions
- 1 knob ginger (1 inch, 2.5 cm)
- 1 boneless, skinless chicken breast (12 oz, 342 g)
For the Honey Sesame Sauce
- 4 Tbsp toasted white sesame seeds
- 2 Tbsp honey
- 4 Tbsp rice vinegar (unseasoned)
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tsp toasted sesame oil
- ⅛ tsp freshly ground black pepper
For the Toppings
- 1 large egg (50 g each w/o shell)
- ¼ tsp Diamond Crystal kosher salt
- ½ Tbsp neutral oil
- 1 Japanese or Persian cucumber
- 1 tomato
- 1 sprig cilantro (coriander)
For the Shirataki Noodles
- 4 cups water (for boiling)
- 2 packages shirataki noodles (14 oz, 400 g)
Instructions
- Gather all the ingredients.
To Prepare the Chicken
- In a large pot, add 4 cups water, ½ tsp Diamond Crystal kosher salt, and 2 Tbsp sake. Bring it to a boil.
- Cut 2 green onions/scallions into thirds and cut 1 knob ginger into thin slices (you can keep the peel on). Add them to the pot.
- Butterfly 1 boneless, skinless chicken breast by cutting the length of the side of the chicken breast with the edge of your knife parallel to the cutting board. Carefully slice the breast in half widthwise until the other edge. Now you have two pieces of chicken breast.
- Once the water is boiling, put the chicken in the pot. Cover the lid and reduce the heat to the lowest setting. Cook the chicken for 15 minutes, or until cooked through.
- After cooking the chicken for 15 minutes, transfer it from the pot to a plate. Cover with plastic wrap to keep the moisture and let it cool.
To Prepare the Honey Sesame Sauce
- Heat 4 Tbsp toasted white sesame seeds in a dry frying pan (without oil) until fragrant; it will take 3–5 minutes, depending on the heat. Swirl the pan once in a while to rotate the seeds.
- Transfer the toasted sesame seeds into your Japanese mortar and pestle. You don’t have to completely grind the sesame seeds. To add texture to the dressing, it’s nice to keep both powdered and whole sesame seeds. If you don’t have a Japanese mortar and pestle, you can use a food processor.
- Transfer the ground sesame seeds into a 2-cup measuring cup. Add 2 Tbsp honey, 4 Tbsp rice vinegar (unseasoned), 2 Tbsp soy sauce, 2 tsp toasted sesame oil, and ⅛ tsp freshly ground black pepper. Whisk it all together and set aside.
To Prepare the Toppings
- Crack 1 large egg (50 g each w/o shell) in a medium bowl and whisk well. Add ¼ tsp Diamond Crystal kosher salt and combine well.
- Heat ½ Tbsp neutral oil in a nonstick frying pan over medium-high heat. Once the frying pan is hot, add the egg mixture. Turn down the heat to low and swirl the pan to evenly distribute the egg in the pan. Once the egg mixture is set, you can flip to cook the other side (optional) or continue to cook longer until the egg is cooked through. Turn off the heat and transfer the egg crepe to your work surface.
- Cut the egg crepe in half and thinly slice it. Set aside.
- Peel 1 Japanese or Persian cucumber but leave some skin unpeeled for a striped pattern (it looks better this way). Cut the cucumber diagonally into ⅛-inch (3-mm) slices. Then, cut it into thin long sticks. Set aside.
- Cut 1 tomato in half and cut each half into 3–4 wedges. Set aside.
- Shred the chicken into thin, long strips. When the ingredients are all the same shape, it’s easier to combine with the noodles and you can eat all the ingredients together.
To Prepare the Shirataki Noodles
- Boil 4 cups water in a saucepan. Tip: Boiling the shirataki noodles helps remove their unwanted odor, so don’t skip this step.
- Open 2 packages shirataki noodles and drain. Rinse quickly under cold running water.
- Once the water is boiling, add the shirataki noodles and cook for 2 minutes. Drain immediately and soak in an ice bath.
To Assemble the Noodles
- When the shirataki noodles are cold, drain well. On a plate, serve the shirataki noodles and toppings of your choice. Garnish with 1 sprig cilantro (coriander) and drizzle the dressing on top.
Nutrition
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