Does eating rice noodles make you gain weight? It is a question of great concern to many people, as dishes like fish noodle soup are especially attractive street foods throughout regions in Vietnam. So, do rice noodles and other types of noodle dishes cause weight gain? In which locality is fish noodle soup a specialty? Let’s explore together.
Does eating rice noodles make you gain weight? Is fish noodle soup fattening?
Rice noodles are among the most popular and beloved foods in Vietnam. They are primarily made from rice starch, water, and a few other additives. There are two types of rice noodles: fresh and dried.
Each bowl of fish noodle soup contains between 400-500 calories, so it doesn’t lead to weight gain
Each bowl of noodle soup typically uses about 150g – 200g of noodles, and with other toppings like fish, pork, snails, crab, etc., a bowl totals around 400-500 calories.
Fish noodle soup is a light and nutritious dish. You can eat 3 bowls a day without being overly concerned about gaining weight from it
So, does eating rice noodles lead to weight gain, and does eating fish noodle soup cause weight gain? Typically, the daily caloric requirement for an adult ranges from 1600-2000 calories. Each bowl of various types of noodles, including fish noodle soup, meets or slightly falls below the energy requirement of a main meal, so you don’t need to worry about gaining weight.
Where is fish noodle soup a specialty?
Vietnam, with its extensive coastline and numerous rivers and lakes, naturally incorporates fish as a staple in its cuisine. As a result, fish noodle soup is widely popular across all three regions of Vietnam. However, the dish varies by region, each giving it a unique local flavor.
In the North, freshwater fish noodle soup is a culinary highlight
In northern regions like Hanoi, Hai Phong, and Thai Binh, the noodle soup typically features freshwater fish. The broth is derived from pork bones. The fish is deboned, fried until golden, and then served with the noodles. Diners typically dip the fish into a sauce made from garlic and chili pepper. This dish is called “bún cá chấm” (dipping fish noodles) and is often accompanied by various herbs and vegetables such as pennywort, mustard greens, and perilla.
Moving to the Central region, especially in the South-Central coast areas like Da Nang, Nha Trang, and Binh Dinh, fish noodle soup stands out with its distinct characteristics. The primary ingredients come from marine fish and fish cake. The broth is crystal clear, low in fat, and naturally sweet due to the fish bones and head. The toppings include fish cakes, boiled fish meat, or even jellyfish.
Accompanying herbs include lettuce and thinly sliced aromatic herbs
Fish noodle soups in Da Nang and Binh Dinh are prepared similarly to the one in Nha Trang. Still, a unique feature here is the inclusion of tuna and mackerel, thinly sliced. The distinctive twist is that they are finely blended with pigskin, seasoned with pepper, garlic, and chili, giving the dish a slightly chewy and creamy texture.
In the Southern region, the most famous variation is the fish noodle soup from Chau Doc (An Giang). The broth is made from simmering spinal bones, and it’s seasoned with Henicorhynchus sauce, shrimp paste, and “ngải bún” root. The toppings include catfish meat stir-fried with turmeric or roasted pork.
So, fish noodle soup is a specialty in many regions across the country. If you’re in the North, you can savor the flavors of fish noodle soup from Hanoi, Thai Binh, and Hai Phong. In the Central region, an excellent representation that you must try is the Nha Trang fish noodle soup. Additionally, you can also taste the tuna fish noodle soup from Hue, and the fish noodle soups from Da Nang and Binh Dinh. While in the Mekong Delta, make sure to seek out the special fish noodle soup in Chau Doc, An Giang for a delightful experience.
Catfish noodle soup represents the quintessence of Mekong Delta cuisine
Above is an article explaining the question of whether eating noodle soup leads to weight gain and interesting information about fish noodle soup. Thus, noodles and fish noodle soup, in particular, can be described as a light, nutritious dish that doesn’t lead to weight gain. Therefore, you can confidently enjoy one of the most delicious and renowned dishes in Vietnam.