Shirataki noodles


are translucent, gelatinous traditional Japanese noodles made from the konjac 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.
Shirataki noodles come in dry and soft "wet" forms in Asian markets and some supermarkets. When purchased wet, they are packaged in liquid. They normally have a shelf life of up to one year. Some brands require rinsing or parboiling, as the water in the packaging has an odor some find unpleasant.
The noodles can also be drained and dry-roasted, which diminishes bitterness and gives the noodles a more pasta-like consistency. Dry-roasted noodles can be served in soup stock or a sauce.

Other names

Shirataki also goes by the names "ito konnyaku", yam noodles, and devil's tongue noodles.

''Ito konnyaku'' and ''shirataki''

There used to be a difference in manufacturing methods. Producers in the Kansai region of Japan prepared ito konnyaku by cutting konnyaku jelly into threads, while producers in the Kantō region made shirataki by extruding konnyaku sol through small holes into a hot, concentrated lime solution. Modern producers make both types using the latter method. Ito konnyaku is generally thicker than shirataki, with a square cross section and a darker color. It is preferred in the Kansai region.