Okay, so I’ve been digging into this whole gluten-free thing lately, mostly because my buddy went gluten-free and he keeps going on about how great he feels. I was curious, you know? And that got me thinking about vermicelli, those thin noodles I love in my Vietnamese food.
First off, I hit up the grocery store to check out some labels. I grabbed a few different packs of vermicelli noodles. Most of them were made from rice flour and water, which seemed like a good sign. These were definitely marked as “rice vermicelli.” No gluten in sight! I felt pretty good about that. I cooked them up, and they were just like I remembered – light, fluffy, and perfect for absorbing flavors.
- Rice Vermicelli
- Mung Bean Vermicelli
Then I found some that were made from mung beans. These were also gluten-free, which is cool. I tried them out in a stir-fry, and they were a bit different – a little chewier, but still really tasty. The package even said “gluten-free” on it. I love the flavor very much!
Check Out The Labels!
But here’s the tricky part – not all vermicelli is created equal. I saw online that some places might use wheat flour or other stuff that has gluten. Some of them will be mixed sauces or something that could have gluten in them. So you gotta be careful and check the ingredients. I also read that if you’re super sensitive to gluten, or if you have celiac disease, it’s best to double-check with the restaurant or the manufacturer to make sure there’s no cross-contamination.
Anyway, I made a big batch of vermicelli noodle bowls with tons of fresh veggies, some grilled chicken, and a homemade peanut sauce. It was delicious and totally gluten-free! I even packed some up for lunch the next day. My friend tried some, and he was impressed. He even said it was better than the takeout we used to get.
So, based on my little experiment, it seems like most vermicelli is gluten-free, especially if it’s made from rice or mung beans. But, like with anything, it’s always a good idea to read the label and ask questions if you’re not sure. That’s what I’ll be doing from now on. It is always important to pay attention to the ingredients. I’m pretty stoked that I can still enjoy my favorite noodle dishes without worrying about gluten. And the cooking process can be really fun sometimes, you can try adding whatever you like!
