Noodles come in many styles and types, each with unique shapes, flavors, and cooking traditions. From Italian pasta like spaghetti and macaroni to Asian noodles such as ramen, udon, and rice vermicelli, they are an important part of meals worldwide. Knowing their names helps you understand their uses in soups, stir-fries, and everyday dishes. In this post, you will find a complete types of noodles list with names with their pictures to help you learn, recognize, and talk about different noodles more clearly.
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Common Types of Pasta Noodles
Pasta noodles are among the most popular worldwide. They come in many shapes and pair with sauces, soups, or baked recipes.
Spaghetti — Long, thin round noodles, often served with tomato sauces or olive oil-based recipes.
Fettuccine — Flat, thick ribbons of pasta, perfect for creamy sauces like Alfredo.
Penne — Short, angled tubes, great for baked dishes and chunky sauces.
Linguine — Narrow, flat noodles, ideal for seafood sauces.
Rigatoni — Large, ridged tubes that hold meat sauces well.
Fusilli — Spiral-shaped pasta, good at catching thick sauces.
Farfalle — Bow-tie shaped pasta, popular in cold pasta salads.
Orzo — Rice-shaped pasta, often used in soups or pilafs.
Names of Italian Noodles Types
Italian noodles differ by region and shape, often made with semolina flour and eggs. They are the base for many classic dishes.
Tagliatelle — Long, flat ribbons often paired with ragù.
Orecchiette — Ear-shaped pasta that holds vegetables and sauce.
Pappardelle — Wide ribbons, best with hearty meat sauces.
Cavatelli — Small, rolled pasta that catches sauce easily.
Tortellini — Ring-shaped pasta filled with cheese, vegetables, or meats.
Gnocchi — Soft dumpling-like pasta made from potatoes.
Tagliolini — Very thin flat ribbons, lighter than tagliatelle.
Different Types of Spaghetti Noodles
Spaghetti has many variations, differing in thickness and texture. Each type suits a particular sauce or dish.
Spaghettini — A thinner version of spaghetti, pairs with light sauces.
Capellini (Angel Hair) — Very thin pasta that cooks quickly, best with delicate sauces.
Spaghettoni — Thicker spaghetti, holds heavy sauces better.
Bucatini — Thick spaghetti with a hollow center that carries more sauce.
Types of Macaroni Noodles Names
Macaroni comes in small, tubular shapes. They are usually used in baked dishes, soups, or creamy recipes.
Elbow Macaroni — Curved tubes, most common in macaroni and cheese.
Ditalini — Very small tubes used in soups like minestrone.
Pipette — Rounded tubes with ridges, great for cheesy sauces.
Cellentani — Spiral macaroni, often used in pasta salads.
List of Lasagna Noodles Types
Lasagna noodles are large sheets layered with sauce, fillings, and cheese. Several variations exist for different cooking needs.
Classic Flat Lasagna — Wide sheets, boiled before layering.
No-Boil Lasagna — Pre-cooked sheets that soften in the oven.
Spinach Lasagna Sheets — Green sheets made with spinach for flavor.
Whole Wheat Lasagna Sheets — Healthier sheets made with whole grain flour.
Different Types of Asian Noodles
Asian noodles are diverse, made from rice, wheat, or starch. They are staples in stir-fries, soups, and salads.
Rice Vermicelli — Thin rice noodles used in soups and rolls.
Glass Noodles — Translucent noodles made from mung bean or potato starch.
Wheat Noodles — Versatile noodles used in stir-fried or soupy dishes.
Rice Stick Noodles — Flat noodles used in Pad Thai and Pho.
Dan Dan Noodles — Spicy Sichuan wheat noodles with sauce and toppings.
Biang Biang Noodles — Extra-wide hand-pulled noodles from China.
Names of Chinese Noodles Types
Chinese noodles vary widely in thickness and preparation. They are central to stir-fries, soups, and festive meals.
Lo Mein Noodles — Soft noodles tossed with sauce and vegetables.
Chow Mein Noodles — Stir-fried for a crispy texture.
Hand-Pulled Noodles — Long strands stretched by hand, chewy in texture.
Knife-Cut Noodles — Wide noodles cut into boiling water.
Wonton Noodles — Thin egg noodles served in broth with dumplings.
Types of Japanese Noodles List
Japanese noodles are eaten hot or cold, depending on the season. They are often paired with broths, dipping sauces, or stir-fries.
Udon — Thick, chewy wheat noodles, often in broth.
Soba — Thin buckwheat noodles, eaten hot or cold.
Somen — Thin wheat noodles, usually chilled in summer.
Shirataki — Translucent, low-calorie noodles made from konjac root.
Hiyamugi — Medium-thin wheat noodles, served cold or in soups.
Common Types of Korean Noodles
Korean noodles are served in hot soups, stir-fries, or chilled broths. They highlight bold and spicy flavors.
Japchae Noodles — Sweet potato starch noodles stir-fried with vegetables and meat.
Kalguksu — Knife-cut wheat noodles served in broth.
Naengmyeon — Cold buckwheat noodles in tangy broth.
Sujaebi — Hand-torn wheat noodles in warm soup.
Types of Thai Noodles Names
Thai noodles balance sweet, sour, and spicy flavors. They are commonly used in stir-fries and soups.
Sen Lek — Medium rice noodles, used in Pad Thai.
Sen Yai — Wide rice noodles, used in stir-fries.
Ba Mee — Egg noodles served in soups.
Kanom Jeen — Soft fermented rice noodles for curries.
Vietnamese Noodles Types and Names
Vietnamese cuisine uses rice noodles in fresh and cooked dishes. Each type has a unique texture and role.
Bánh Phở — Flat rice noodles for Pho soup.
Bún — Round vermicelli noodles used in bowls.
Miến — Glass noodles made from bean starch.
Hủ Tiếu — Clear, chewy noodles for soups and stir-fries.
Types of Ramen Noodles List
Ramen noodles are made from wheat and come in various thicknesses and textures. They are served in flavored broths with toppings.
Shoyu Ramen Noodles — Served in soy sauce broth.
Miso Ramen Noodles — Paired with miso-flavored broth.
Shio Ramen Noodles — Lighter broth made with salt.
Tonkotsu Ramen Noodles — Rich broth made from pork bones.
Fresh Ramen Noodles — Made daily, soft and chewy.
Instant Ramen Noodles — Pre-cooked, packaged for convenience.
Types of Noodles for Soup
Some noodles are made to stay firm in hot broth. They are found in many global soup recipes.
Egg Noodles — Soft yellow noodles used in chicken noodle soup.
Rice Noodles — Common in Vietnamese Pho and other broths.
Glass Noodles — Stay chewy in hot soups.
Udon — Thick noodles used in Japanese hotpots.
Soba — Buckwheat noodles often eaten in soups.
Healthiest Types of Noodles Names
Healthy noodles are made from alternative grains, legumes, or vegetables. They support balanced diets while offering flavor and variety.
Whole Wheat Noodles — High in fiber and nutrients.
Brown Rice Noodles — Gluten-free with a mild nutty flavor.
Shirataki Noodles — Very low in calories, made from konjac root.
Quinoa Noodles — High protein and gluten-free.
Zucchini Noodles (Zoodles) — Spiralized zucchini used as a low-carb substitute.
Lentil Pasta — Plant-based noodles rich in protein.
Chickpea Pasta — Gluten-free with a nutty taste.
Edamame Noodles — High in protein and fiber.
Black Bean Pasta — Gluten-free, dark noodles full of protein.
Buckwheat Soba — A gluten-free Japanese staple made from buckwheat flour.
FAQs Types of Noodles Names
There are hundreds of noodle types worldwide, ranging from Italian pasta shapes to Asian rice, wheat, and starch-based noodles.
Common pasta noodles include spaghetti, fettuccine, penne, rigatoni, farfalle, fusilli, orzo, and lasagna sheets, each suited to specific sauces and dishes.
Asian noodles include rice vermicelli, glass noodles, udon, soba, ramen, lo mein, chow mein, Japchae, pho noodles, and rice stick noodles.
Healthiest noodles include whole wheat, quinoa, brown rice, shirataki, zucchini noodles, lentil pasta, chickpea pasta, edamame noodles, and soba.
Ramen uses chewy wheat noodles, pho uses flat rice noodles called bánh phở, and pad thai uses medium-width rice stick noodles called sen lek.
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