What to Serve With Rice Noodles: 15 Best Side Dishes

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Enhancing your rice noodle dishes with the right side dishes can turn a simple meal into a delightful feast. Steamed vegetables like broccoli and carrots add texture and nutrients, while spring rolls offer a crunchy contrast with fresh herbs and dipping sauces. Dumplings, with their savory fillings, pair wonderfully with soy or chili oil. Asian slaw, a vibrant mix of cabbage and bell peppers, provides a invigorating tang. Add tempura vegetables for a crispy, flavorful touch. These side dishes make your meal more exciting and satisfying. Discover more delightful options that perfectly complement your rice noodle dishes.

Steamed Vegetables

healthy cooking method choice

Steamed vegetables offer a nutritious and visually appealing complement to rice noodles, enhancing both texture and flavor. With sauce pairings like soy or sesame dressing, these vegetables not only boost the nutrient benefits but also add delightful tastes.

Rich in vitamins and minerals, steamed broccoli, carrots, and snap peas can transform a simple rice noodle dish into a wholesome and satisfying meal.

Spring Rolls

delicious vietnamese appetizer option

Spring rolls, with their crisp exterior and fresh, flavorful fillings, serve as an excellent side dish to accompany rice noodles.

These delightful rolls, often packed with fresh herbs, offer an invigorating contrast in texture.

Paired with a variety of dipping sauces, such as peanut or hoisin, spring rolls enhance the meal, bringing a burst of flavor and a satisfying crunch.

Dumplings

warm savory chinese cuisine

Often considered a quintessential side dish, dumplings bring a delightful combination of savory fillings and tender wrappers to complement rice noodles.

Their flavor variations, from pork and chive to shrimp, offer something for everyone. Paired with dipping sauces like soy or chili oil, dumplings provide a perfect balance of taste and texture, enhancing the overall dining experience with rice noodles.

Asian Slaw

tangy cabbage salad mix

Asian slaw is a vibrant mix of crisp vegetables and tangy dressing. It serves as an invigorating and crunchy complement to rice noodles. The crunchy texture of shredded cabbage, carrots, and bell peppers, combined with a colorful presentation, makes it visually appealing and delicious.

This side dish not only enhances the meal's flavor but also adds a revitalizing balance to the savory noodles.

Tempura Vegetables

delicious fried vegetable dish

Tempura vegetables offer a delightful combination of light, crispy batter and tender vegetables, making them an excellent accompaniment to rice noodles.

The batter preparation involves mixing cold water with flour for that perfect crunch.

Pair these tempura vegetables with dipping sauces like soy sauce or a tangy ponzu for an added burst of flavor.

This side dish adds texture and excitement to your meal.

Edamame

soybean snack in pods

Edamame, young soybeans still in their pods, provide a nutritious and flavorful side dish that pairs well with rice noodles. Rich in protein, fiber, and essential vitamins, edamame offers numerous nutritional benefits.

Cooking methods include boiling or steaming the pods until tender, then seasoning with sea salt. This simple preparation enhances their natural taste, making them a delightful complement to rice noodle dishes.

Kimchi

spicy korean fermented cabbage

Kimchi is a traditional Korean side dish made from fermented vegetables. It offers a tangy and spicy flavor profile that complements rice noodles exceptionally well. The fermented benefits of kimchi, including probiotics and vitamins, enhance digestive health while its spicy flavor adds an exciting kick to your meal.

This vibrant side dish pairs perfectly with the subtle taste of rice noodles, creating a harmonious dining experience.

Miso Soup

comforting japanese cuisine favorite

Another excellent accompaniment to rice noodles is miso soup, a traditional Japanese dish known for its umami-rich flavor and nutritious properties.

This flavorful soup often includes tofu cubes and Wakame seaweed, enhancing its texture and taste.

Miso soup not only complements rice noodles but also provides a comforting, satisfying experience, making it a perfect addition to your meal.

Thai Basil Chicken

delicious stir fried thai dish

Thai Basil Chicken is a vibrant and aromatic dish that pairs perfectly with rice noodles, enhancing the meal with its bold flavors and fragrant herbs.

Marinade variations, such as incorporating soy sauce or oyster sauce, can elevate the dish's taste.

For serving tips, garnish with fresh Thai basil and a squeeze of lime to brighten the flavors, creating a delightful dining experience.

Sesame Broccoli

vegetarian stir fry with sesame

Sesame Broccoli is a nutritious and flavorful side dish that complements rice noodles with its nutty undertones and crisp texture.

The nutty flavor of sesame seeds enhances the natural taste of broccoli, making it a delightful addition.

Rich in vitamins and minerals, broccoli benefits your health while adding a vibrant green color to your plate.

Together, they create a balanced and satisfying meal.

Pickled Radishes

simple and tangy snack

Pickled radishes offer a tangy and invigorating contrast to the savory flavors of rice noodles. Their fermented flavor and crunchy texture create a delightful balance, enhancing the overall dining experience.

The slight sourness of the radishes complements the noodles perfectly, adding a rejuvenating bite. This side dish not only awakens the palate but also introduces a wonderful variety to your meal.

Tofu Stir-Fry

delicious vegan tofu dish

A tofu stir-fry brings a nutritious and protein-rich complement to rice noodles, offering a harmonious blend of flavors and textures.

Marinated tofu absorbs the vibrant spices, creating a spicy stir fry that excites the palate.

This dish combines fresh vegetables and savory seasonings, ensuring each bite is flavorful.

It's an ideal pairing that enhances the overall dining experience without overwhelming the main dish.

Mango Salad

fresh and tangy summer

Mango salad offers an exhilarating and tangy side dish that perfectly complements the rich flavors of rice noodles.

The tropical flavors of ripe mangoes, combined with fresh herbs and a zesty lime dressing, create a revitalizing contrast to the savory noodles.

This vibrant salad not only adds a burst of color to your plate but also enhances the overall dining experience.

Garlic Green Beans

saut ed with olive oil

Following the invigorating notes of mango salad, garlic green beans offer a savory and aromatic side that harmonizes beautifully with rice noodles. Rich in garlic benefits, these green beans deliver a delightful crunch and a burst of flavor.

Garlic's antioxidant properties enhance health, while green beans provide essential vitamins and minerals. Together, they create a balanced and nutritious accompaniment to your meal.

Seaweed Salad

refreshing oceanic green dish

Incorporating seaweed salad into your meal offers an invigorating and nutrient-dense side dish that complements rice noodles perfectly.

Known for its high nutritional value, seaweed is rich in vitamins and minerals.

For a delightful experience, consider these preparation tips: rinse the seaweed thoroughly, add a splash of sesame oil, and sprinkle with sesame seeds. This combination enhances both flavor and texture.