So you open a brand new package and immediately there’s a fishy odor. You’re probably wondering why didn’t I purchase the right one? How do I even cook shirataki noodles? What have I gotten myself into? Well, you’re not alone and you’ve come to the right place. I’m going to make you love this keto staple and show you all the different combinations you can cook with.
Last updated: May 22, 2020
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- The Best Shirataki Noodles
- Where do I find them once inside the market?
- What does Shirataki Noodles Taste like?
- What are Shirataki noodles?
- Why the fishy smell?
- Why are they different colored?
- How many Carbs are in Shirataki Noodles?
- How many ways can you cook Shirataki Noodles?
- How to Cook Shirataki Noodles
- Shirataki Noodles Recipes
The Best Shirataki Noodles
When I first started keto I really had no idea where to buy and which ones to purchase. There’s not much information on these noodles and so I figured to compile a list of shirataki noodles to review for myself. Upon developing my shirataki recipes, I was able to discover not all were created equal. There are little quirks here and there. The more I ate, the more different they were. Below are some of the criteria I found to matter between each brand.
Taste – Texture – Shape – Smell – Look
Trust – Third party verified with their Certifications/Seals.
Price – How does it compare price wise?
Convenience – Any refrigeration? Is there extra prep work?
Net Carbs – The less net carbs, the better the score.
Odor – The less the odor, the better score.
Liviva (f/k/a Zeroodles)
Liviva Spaghetti
Best Rated #1
I was pleasantly surprised by Liviva which was rebranded from Zeroodles. As someone who’s into working out, this one has 2 grams of protein with an impressive 0 net carbs. There was a subtle odor present but I can’t say it was fishy nor was it unpleasant. I also like they have all their certificates which gives me a level of trust putting me at ease. In addition, I have no complaints about the texture and color. These are the closest thing to pasta without being pasta. Factoring in their certificates, organic status, protein count, and their fair price it’s really difficult to beat Liviva.
Pros
- Organic, zero net carbs!
- 2 grams of protein.
- Comes in two pouches.
- Certificates in all major categories.
- Easy preparation.
- No Boiling or refrigeration required.
Cons
- Limited availability.
- Just two shapes: Spaghetti and Rice.
Other Variants: Rice.
Texture most similar to: Ramen or Rounder Pho Noodles.
Where to Buy: Amazon
Newdles
Newdles Natural Konjac Spaghetti
My Value Pick
I have to say these are one of my personal favorites. The score would be much higher if Newdles could get certificates but really besides that, I only have good things to share. My favorite is the shape and texture of the noodles. They are chewy (not rubbery) with a good opaque color to it. These are the closest thing to spaghetti as the noodles are thicker than other brands. I also want to point out that the smell is very subtle. One I wouldn’t call a fishy one, but an earthy aroma that goes away once it’s cooked. Newdles is my value pick and if you’re looking for a spaghetti substitute, this is the one to get.
Pros
- Very subtle earthy smell.
- Opaque Off-White color.
- Packaged with two pouches.
- Lots of flavors offered: seafood, pickled cabbage, tomato, spice, chicken.
- Second cheapest compared to other brands.
- Options for a traditional shirataki and one with oats and soy.
- Zero Net Carbs and just 10 calories
- Fettuccine and rice shapes available
- Ready to eat. No boiling required.
- Easy storage. No refrigeration.
Cons
- No third party certificates.
- Lacking in other shapes such as fettuccine or rice.
- Not available at brick and mortars, online only.
Other Variants: Flavored Noodles such as Seafood, Pickled Cabbage, Tomato, Spicy, and Chicken
Texture most similar to: Spaghetti.
Where to Buy: Amazon
Miracle Noodle
Miracle Noodle Angel Hair
…. OK.
I believe these are the most widely available and accessible. They’re so popular, the miracle name itself has become the generic name for shirataki noodles. The picture above is their new packaging design which I like a little better than the previous one. I like that they have third party certifications (Gluten Free, non-GMO, Vegan, Kosher, Halal) which gives me assurance. As for their noodles, there is a fishy odor upon opening which eventually goes away once dried in a frying pan. The texture is not as rubbery as Skinny Pasta. I’d get these if odor is not a problem and you need noodles last minute, otherwise there are better options online.
Pros
- Widely available.
- No Refrigeration Required.
- Trustworthy.
- Zero net Carbs.
- No boiling required.
Cons
- Odor
- Noodles are on the thinner side.
- Noodles shrink after heating.
- Not out of the bag ready to eat. Instruction asks to dry on frying pan.
Other Variants: Fettuccine, Rice, Ziti, Organic options. Ready to eat flavors: Pho, Thai Tom Yum, Pad Thai, Curry.
Texture most similar to: Vermicelli
Where to buy: Walmart, Sprouts, Whole Foods Market, Amazon.
Well Lean
Well Lean Spaghetti
Organic Goodness
These noodles are great. I also want to point out they’re organic which many brands do not offer. There were no fishy smells present, but there was an earthy aroma which isn’t unpleasant by any means. The texture and color is pretty good as it has more of a rice noodle consistency most noodle lovers can expect. I can definitely use these for either pasta or for any Asian dish. As for the superficial things, it could use some more third party certificates and a little pricier than other brands.
Pros
- Organic.
- Zero Net Carbs and just 5 calories
- Fettuccine and rice shapes available
- Ready to eat. No boiling required.
- Easy storage. No refrigeration.
Cons
- Could use more third party diet certificates
- Pricey especially when compared to Liviva which is also organic
Other Variants: Fettucine, Rice.
Texture most similar to: Spaghetti or thicker and rounder rice noodles.
Where to Buy: Amazon
Skinny Pasta
Skinny Pasta Noodles Shape
Completely Odor Free & Lots of shapes
I found these at my local Walmart Neighborhood Store and Sprouts. They are fairly available at most markets. I like that they’ve included both a spaghetti and noodles shape. The difference lies in the thickness of each product where spaghetti is a little thicker than the noodle version. With that said, I was very surprised to find these noodles did not smell by any means. Out of all the brands, these are 100% odor free. If odor is a deal breaker for you then, this is the one to purchase. However, the rubbery texture can be difficult to get pass.
Both Translucent.
Pros
- No fishy smell.
- No Refrigeration Required.
- Zero Net Carbs!
- No boiling required.
- Weight Watchers Endorsed.
- Widest Variety of shapes
- Can be found in major big box stores
Cons
- Pricey
- Too Translucent
- Rubbery texture
Other Variants: Fettuccine, Spaghetti, Rice, Cous Cous, Lasagna.
Texture most similar to: Vermicelli
Where to buy: Walmart, Sprouts, Amazon.
NutriNoodle
Nutri Noodle Spaghetti w/ Oat & Soybean Fiber
Cutest Package ever
Much like House Foods, NutriNoodle gives you the choice to purchase one with and without soybean which is huge if you’re allergic to soy. And believe it or not, there’s some difference between the two as the soy and oats fiber influences the texture, color, and smell of the noodles. For my review, I went with the soy and oats version which reminded me so much of Singapore Noodles due to its yellow color and thinness. I actually made Pad Thai using these noodles and they turned out great. I think these are perfect for general stir frying and for ramen.
Pros
- Options for a traditional shirataki and one with oats and soy.
- Zero Net Carbs and just 10 calories
- Fettuccine and rice shapes available
- Ready to eat. No boiling required.
- Easy storage. No refrigeration.
Cons
- No third party certificates.
- Pricey.
Other Variants: Fettuccine, Rice, Fiber Oat Options.
Texture most similar to: Singapore Noodles or thin egg noodles.
Where to Buy: Amazon
Nasoya Pasta Zero
Nasoya Pasta Zero Spaghetti
Great texture
Right off the bat when you look at the noodles you can see these are different from the other brands. They’re not translucent, and lighter in color than the House Brand Tofu Shirataki Noodles. They are more similar to the rice noodles in pho, I’d even say they’re a little thicker. I also want to point out these noodles have chickpea flour and potato starch ingredients which most likely is the reason for the higher carbs. I’d get these if I needed it last minute, but the 3 grams of net carbs can be a deal breaker for some.
Pros
- Subtle “chemical” odor present, not “fishy” though.
- Pretty close to angel hair.
- Not rubbery.
- Ready out of the bag. Very little prep work needed.
- Fairly priced.
- Good Availability both online and grocery chains
Cons
- Requires refrigeration.
- Need more certifications.
- 3 grams of net carbs.
- Lack of variety. Just Spaghetti and Fettuccine.
- Could use an inner pouch for durability
Other Variants: Fettuccine.
Texture most similar to: Angel hair, Ramen noodles.
Where to buy: Safeway, Walmart, Amazon.
No Oodle
No Oodle Angel Hair
Taste like Miracle Noodle
The odor and taste is very similar to Miracle Noodles. They’ve got to be siblings and the differences between the two are found in their pricing and certificates as No Oodle is the higher one with no certificates. I can only think of one reason for the higher price and out of all the brands they’re the only ones boasting a made in USA label. Also note that these may require cutting in half as the noodles are very long making it difficult to split a meal.
Pros
- Zero everything! No calories, fat, net carbs.
- Easy preparation. Literally just remove
- No refrigeration required.
- Made in the USA.
- Offers a family size package of 32 oz.
- Also comes in Angel hair and Fettuccine
Cons
- Initial fishy smell. Similar to Miracle Noodles.
- Packaging. Would like to see an inner pouch for extra durability.
- No third party dietary certifications.
Other Variants: Fettuccine, and 32 oz size.
Texture most similar to: Vermicelli
Where to Buy: Amazon
House Foods Traditional
House Foods Traditional Shirataki
Inexpensive.
I was happy to find out that House Foods was making a pure version of their tofu shirataki noodles which contains no tofu. I was even more surprised they had them at my local supermarket. They do pretty good absorbing the stir fry sauce I was making and it went very well. The biggest downside are their net carbs at 6 grams as other similar shirataki noodles contain none.
Pros
- Lowest in Price.
- Certifications in Non GMO, Gluten Free, and Kosher.
- Zero Calories.
- Just 3 Ingredients.
Cons
- Fish Odor.
- Requires refrigeration.
- Limited Availability, not available at Amazon.
- High Net Carbs at 5 grams.
- Boiling Required.
- Could use an inner pouch for durability
Other Variants: None.
Texture most similar to: Vermicelli
Where to buy: Sprouts, online.
House Foods Tofu
House Foods Tofu Shirataki Spaghetti
Odor is strong, but silky texture
These House Brand noodles are unique because of its tofu ingredient which adds to the texture which makes it closer to ramen especially with its color. They are the least like rubber. As for the odor, this one has one of the strongest which does go away after cooking them. One thing to watch out for are their net carbs. At 6 grams, they have the highest which could be a major deal breaker for the hardcore keto-er.
Pros
- Initial fishy odor present.
- Certifications in Non GMO, Gluten Free, and Kosher.
- Texture.
- Closest one to real noodles.
- Non GMO, GF, and Kosher certified.
Cons
- Requires refrigeration.
- 6 grams of Net Carbs.
- Boiling required.
- Could use an inner pouch for durability
Other Variants: Fettucine, Macaroni, and Angel Hair.
Texture most similar to: Angel hair, Ramen noodles.
Where to buy: Safeway, Sprouts, Amazon, Wegman.
Where do I find them once inside the market?
There are three places these noodles are usually found:
- Pasta Aisle
- Asian/Ethnic Aisle
- Tofu Section in Produce
And if in doubt, ask a store representative.
What does Shirataki Noodles Taste like?
First of all, there are a few things you can expect from shirataki noodles. These will never truly taste like real pasta or noodles. You can always get close to it but they will never taste the same. Generally, shirataki noodles have a firm, stretchy, and chewy texture. The color tends to be translucent unless the manufacturer includes other ingredients. They do not have any flavors but at times you can expect a natural “earthy” or a “fishy” smell to it depending on the manufacturer but many times if you prepare it like this, then the smell goes away making it a non-factor. Whatever you do, do not expect them to be a 1 to 1 replacement of pasta but rather an imitation like many meats out there.
What are Shirataki noodles?
[Shirataki Noodles] are thin, translucent, gelatinous traditional Japanese noodles made from the konjac yam (devil’s tongue yam or elephant yam). The word “shirataki” means white waterfall, referring to the appearance of these noodles. Largely composed of water and glucomannan, a water-soluble dietary fiber, they are very low in digestible carbohydrates and calories, and have little flavor of their own.”
Due to their low carbs (sometimes at zero net carbs) shirataki noodles have become quite popular within the keto, atkins, and low carb diet community.
Why the fishy smell?
For certain manufacturers, as soon as you open the package you will most likely be turned off by the smell. No, don’t toss them out. Your noodles have not expired, they’re actually supposed to smell that way. Believe it or not but the ingredient shirataki noodles are made from, Konjac Yam, actually smells like that naturally. As a matter of fact, konjac plants has been used for making vegan seafood due to that exact reason. But don’t fret, konjac root is also used for making children snacks like fruit jelly so the smell does not need to linger and if you follow my recipe, it should be gone. Boiling them and stir frying it will reduce the smell and once you add spices and sauces, the noodles will absorb it thus abandoning that pungy odor.
Why are they different colored?
These noodles usually come in two major colors. One that is white which is the one you’ll see in most grocery stores and the other has a dark gray color. Shirakiku’s (one of Japan’s largest food manufacturers categorizes it as black, so I’ll be going with that). This one isn’t seen in many Western grocery stores and I think it’s solely because of its color which is not exactly marketable. The only difference is one has seaweed powder added to it and the other does not. The seaweed powder is what gives the black variety its dark gray color. Either way, you will lose weight substituting these noodles in.
How many Carbs are in Shirataki Noodles?
The short and sweet answer is almost close to none but it varies between manufacturers. For the major manufacturers such as Miracle Noodle and Skinny Pasta they’re all zero grams of net carbs and gluten free. As a general rule of thumb, you should always be careful to check the nutrition information found on the back of the package.
How many ways can you cook Shirataki Noodles?
The beauty of these noodles is their versatility. They’re tough, flexible, chewy, and can be used in a variety of ways. You can dry fry, stir fry, make soup out of them and even pizza crust. Yes you heard that right. The possibilities are endless and the only limit is your creativity. If you have a recipe you’d like me to make, feel free to contact me.
How to Cook Shirataki Noodles
How to cook Shirataki Noodles
Ingredients
- 14 oz Shirataki Noodles
Instructions
- Open the package and drain liquids out onto strainer.
- Run cold water over shirataki noodles, rinsing the noodles for about 30 seconds.
- Then move them to a bowl. Fill up with cold water and let it sit for 2-3 minutes. Then drain out the cold water.Optional: Add about a teaspoon of Apple Cider Vinegar, Lemon/Lime juice to bowl to neutralize the smell.
- Boil water (about 3 pints). Add a pinch of salt. When it comes to a rolling boil, throw shirataki noodles in and let it boil for about 2-3 minutes. Afterwards, strain the noodles.
- Transfer noodles to frying pan. Switch heat on to Medium Low. You will begin hearing crackling sounds or squeaking noise which means the noodles are continuing to cook. Stir for about 2-3 minutes and transfer noodles to a plate.
- Your noodles are now cooked. Now you can add in the spices and sauces according to your favorite noodle recipes!
Video
Nutrition
Shirataki Noodles Recipes
In case you haven’t realized, I am an Asian American. That means, noodles are a major part of my diet along with rice and many other Asian staples. When I first found out that having a low carb keto diet meant sacrificing noodles I was at a lost for words. Luckily, upon further research I discovered Shirataki Noodles which have been a major life saver. Here are some of my favorite Shirataki Noodles Recipes.
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Considering your photos on trying to wash the smell of the shirataki “noodles” and the fact they look like something only livestock is fed, I’ll pass on ever thinking a product like this might cut down on the amount of carbs my family eats, again. Lord almighty who comes up with this disgusting stuff and labels it edible, besides a company who knows there’s a lot of latest fad diet suckers out there they can make big bucks from.
Hi Joycelyn, thanks for leaving a comment on my post. I appreciate your opinion and you’re definitely allowed to express them but those noodles are quite common in most Asian countries. I realize from a westerner’s perspective they may appear “disgusting” so in a future video I will be more mindful to use western friendly products. Fortunately there are other low carb options besides these shirataki noodles. If this is not your cup of tea, there’s always spaghetti squash/zuchini 🙂
Thank you for the details on these noodles. I have enjoyed these noodles in the past and somehow forgot them. 😃
Hi Kelly, I’m glad you enjoy them! 🙂