Making from scratch homemade ho fun noodles are delicious and simple to make in your kitchen. Flat and wide rice noodles are perfect to make beef chow fun, pad see ew, braised beef ho fun noodle soup and wonton ho fun noodle soup. They are a little bit different from this homemade rice noodle recipe. The process of making ho fun noodles is very similar to making cheung fun. You will love this homemade ho fun noodles recipe! Let’s learn how to make freshly homemade ho fun noodles for your meal with step by step photo instruction, tips and a video tutorial.
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What is ho fun?
Ho fun is a type of noodle. It’s also spell and call ho fan, he fen (河粉) or shahe fen. Shahe is a district in Guangzhou, China where ho fun originated. Ho fun noodles are mainly made from rice flour and water. But, some recipes add tapioca starch for extra elasticity. The noodles are translucent white, wide, broad, and flat rice noodles, typically 1 to 2 cm wide.
Besides, they are often used in Chinese cuisine, especially in Cantonese cuisine such as beef chow fun and braised beef ho fun noodle soup. It is because ho fun noodles absorb flavors well. Therefore, they become a staple in many East and Southeast Asian dishes.
Is ho fun similar to pad see ew?
Yes, ho fun and pad see ew are quite similar. Ho fun noodle is usually a classic Cantonese cuisine like beef chow fun or braised beef ho fun noodle soup. On the other hand, pad see ew is a staple of Thai cuisine. Although they come from different culinary traditions, both dishes use wide and flat rice noodles.
There are only some differences in terms of preparation, ingredients and flavor. For example, beef chow fun usually uses bean sprouts and beef. However, pad see ew uses gai lan (Chinese broccoli), chicken and eggs.
What do you use ho fun noodles for?
You can use ho fun noodles for stir fry like the famous and classic Cantonese beef chow fun or pad see ew Thai dish. It’s great to use it for noodle soup like braised beef ho fun noodle soup, laksa noodle soup, pho noodle soup or serve it as wonton ho fun noodle soup.
Are ho fun noodles gluten free?
Yes, typically ho fun noodles are gluten-free because they are made from rice flour and water which do not contain gluten. In this homemade ho fun noodles recipe, I added tapioca starch for extra elastic texture. Tapioca starch is also gluten free. However, if you purchase ho fun, you should watch out for the ingredients and make sure they are gluten free.
Tools or equipment for homemade ho fun noodles:
You can simply use a flat tray or cake pan that fits into your steamer. The flat tray is where you will pour the batter to steam and create the thin noodle sheets like this cheung fun recipe.
However, some people like to use a cheung fun steamer or a steamer dedicated to making ho fun noodles like this steamer with a flat and wider tray. Hence, you can make more noodles in a short period of time. In this homemade ho fun noodles recipe, I used a cheung fun steamer because it is faster and convenient.
What are the ingredients for homemade ho fun noodles?
This homemade ho fun noodles recipe, the ingredients are rice flour, tapioca starch, water and vegetable oil.
Substitution:
Can I make ho fun noodles without tapioca starch?
Sure, you can make ho fun noodles with just rice flour and water. However, adding tapioca starch can improve noodles' elastic texture.
If you are looking for substitution for tapioca starch, you can try cornstarch, arrowroot powder, potato starch or glutinous rice flour. Keep in mind different starch or flour are slightly different in texture. But, you can use a 1: 1 ratio for substitution.
Storage:
How should I store the leftovers?
To store the leftovers ho fun noodles, you can refrigerate them for 2-3 days. First, allow the noodles to cool down completely at room temperature before storing them to prevent condensation because it will make them soggy.
Lightly coat the noodles with a bit of vegetable oil is very important because it will help prevent them from sticking together and drying out. After that, place the noodles in an airtight container or a ziplock bag. They might firm up or stiffen, but you can warm them up in the microwave and cover it with a wet paper towel.
Can I freeze ho fun noodles?
Yes, you can freeze ho fun noodles, but the texture and quality will slightly change. After freezing the ho fun, it may become slightly firmer or lose some elasticity.
Divide the noodles into individual portions, this allows you to defrost only what you need later, instead of thawing a large batch. Also, wrap each portion tightly in plastic wrap to prevent freezer burn and help them maintain moisture. Then, freeze the noodles.
How long will it last?
If you store the ho fun in the refrigerator, they can last for up to 2-3 days. However, if you place the wrapped ho fun into a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. You can freeze them for up to 2 months.
How to reheat ho fun noodles?
The fastest and easiest way to reheat ho fun is to microwave them. If the noodles have been refrigerated, cover them with a wet paper towel and microwave it for 1-2 minutes. Or, you can stir fry them and add a splash of water and some oil. Also, you can steam the refrigerated or frozen noodles to bring back their soft texture.
If ho fun noodles are frozen, transfer them into the refrigerator a few hours before you need them. Slowly thawing them can help preserve the texture. After that, place the noodles in a microwave and cover with a wet paper towel for 1-2 minutes or until it warms.
Cooking tips for how to make homemade ho fun:
Get the right batter consistency:
- Ratio of flour and water is 1:1. In this homemade ho fun noodles recipe, I used 2 cups of rice flour, 1 cup of tapioca starch and 3 cups of water. You can half the recipe if you prefer to make a smaller portion.
- Mix the flour and water well and make sure no lumps.
Well greased tray or pan:
- Lightly grease the tray or pan with vegetable oil to prevent the noodle sheets from sticking. If you are using a non-stick surface like silicone, you can use less oil.
Thin Layers:
- Pour just enough batter into the tray to create a thin, even layer about 2-3 mm thick. Thicker layers will take longer to cook and the noodles are too dense.
- When you pour the batter into the tray, try to tilt the tray slightly and move the batter to ensure the batter spreads evenly across the surface.
Steaming time:
- Place the tray into a steamer with the water boiling. Steam the noodle sheets for about 3 minutes or until they turn translucent.
Cooling:
- Allow the noodle sheets to cool slightly for 1-2 minutes before removing them from the tray because it makes it easier to peel them off without tearing.
Brushing oil:
- While waiting for cooling off, brush a layer of vegetable oil on the noodle sheet. This can prevent noodles sticking together when you stack and cut them.
Cutting the noodles:
- Transfer the noodle sheet to a clean surface and repeat to finish the rest of the noodle sheets, each layer brush with vegetable oil. Then, use a sharp knif slice the sheet into wide strips, usually 1-2 cm wide.
Keep them moist:
- Ho fun noodles can dry out quickly. Brush a layer of oil and keep them covered with plastic wrap or a wet paper towel as you work through steaming and cutting batches.
FAQs:
Of course, you can prepare the noodles ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator or freezer. Make sure to be well-oiled and covered to prevent sticking and drying out.
Making them from scratch, each noodle sheet usually takes about 3 minutes to steam once the water is boiling. However, the actual cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the batter.
When the ho fun noodles aren't properly oiled or cool off properly, the noodles will stick together. Make sure to coat them with a thin layer of oil before storing and keep them covered to retain moisture.
To avoid breaking the noodles during cooking, you can use chopsticks to stir fry the noodles instead of a spatula. Make sure the noodles are separate completely before cooking.
Instructions for how to make homemade ho fun noodles:
Flour mixture:
1. Put 2 cups of rice flour into the bowl.
2. Add 1 cup of tapioca starch.
3. After that, add 3 cups of water.
4. Mix it well and make sure no lumps.
Boiling water:
5. Pour 8 cups of water into a steamer and cover the top lid. Turn on the fire high and wait until water is boiling. (In this homemade ho fun noodles recipe, I used a cheung fun steamer which can make more noodle sheets.)
Grease the tray:
6. Brush a thin layer of vegetable oil in the tray.
Pouring the mixture:
7. After, pour ½ cup of flour mixture from step 4 on the tray. Make sure to stir and mix the flour mixture well each time before scooping and pouring the mixture on the tray. (If your tray is smaller, pour less flour mixture. Just enough to cover the tray flat area.) Move and tilt the tray a little bit to make sure the mixture is well covered on the tray.
Steaming:
8. When the water is boiling, put the flour mixture into the steamer. Steam it for 3 minutes at high fire.
9. Once the noodle sheet turns translucent, take it out and brush a thin layer of vegetable oil on the noodle sheet.
10. Let it cool off a little bit before scraping it out and folding it into half.
11. Brush a thin layer of vegetable oil on top of the noodle sheet to prevent sticking.
12. Repeat steps 6-11 and finish the rest of the flour mixture. Stack the noodle sheets on the chopping board. ( Make sure each layer is brushed with oil.) You can make 8 noodle sheets. If you want to make less, you can half the recipe.
Cutting ho fun noodles:
13. Cut the noodle sheets 1-2 cm wide.
14. Lastly, separate each noodle if you are planning to stir fry.
Enjoy this simple and easy homemade ho fun noodles recipe! Also, check out these steamed meatballs, udon stir fry, salmon sushi cups, japchae Korean glass noodles, pad Thai and Cookie Monster ice cream recipes.
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Homemade Ho Fun Noodles
Equipment
- 1 Steamer or cheung fun steamer
Video
Ingredients
Flour mixture:
- 2 cups Rice flour
- 1 cup Tapioca starch
- 3 cups Water
Brushing:
- 3 tablespoons Vegetable oil
*You can half the recipe if you want to make less. This recipe can make 8 noodle sheets.
Instructions
- Put 2 cups of rice flour into the bowl
- Add 1 cup of tapioca starch.
- After that, add 3 cups of water.
- Mix it well and make sure no lumps.
- Pour 8 cups of water into a steamer and cover the top lid. Turn on the fire high and wait until water is boiling. (In this homemade ho fun noodles recipe, I used a cheung fun steamer which can make more noodle sheets.)
- Brush a thin layer of vegetable oil in the tray.
- After, pour ½ cup of flour mixture from step 4 on the tray. Make sure to stir and mix the flour mixture well each time before scooping and pouring the mixture on the tray. (If your tray is smaller, pour less flour mixture. Just enough to cover the tray flat area.) Move and tilt the tray a little bit to make sure the mixture is well covered on the tray.
- When the water is boiling, put the flour mixture into the steamer. Steam it for 3 minutes at high fire.
- Once the noodle sheet turns translucent, take it out and brush a thin layer of vegetable oil on the noodle sheet.
- Let it cool off a little bit before scraping it out and folding it into half.
- Brush a thin layer of vegetable oil on top of the noodle sheet to prevent sticking.
- Repeat steps 6-11 and finish the rest of the flour mixture. Stack the noodle sheets on the chopping board. ( Make sure each layer is brushed with oil.) You can make 8 noodle sheets. If you want to make less, you can half the recipe.
- Cut the noodle sheets 1-2 cm wide.
- Lastly, separate each noodle if you are planning to stir fry.
Notes
Cooking tips for how to make homemade ho fun:
Get the right batter consistency:
- Ratio of flour and water is 1:1. In this homemade ho fun noodles recipe, I used 2 cups of rice flour, 1 cup of tapioca starch and 3 cups of water. You can half the recipe if you prefer to make a smaller portion.
- Mix the flour and water well and make sure no lumps.
Well greased tray or pan:
- Lightly grease the tray or pan with vegetable oil to prevent the noodle sheets from sticking. If you are using a non-stick surface like silicone, you can use less oil.
Thin Layers:
- Pour just enough batter into the tray to create a thin, even layer about 2-3 mm thick. Thicker layers will take longer to cook and the noodles are too dense.
- When you pour the batter into the tray, try to tilt the tray slightly and move the batter to ensure the batter spreads evenly across the surface.
Steaming time:
- Place the tray into a steamer with the water boiling. Steam the noodle sheets for about 3 minutes or until they turn translucent.
Cooling:
- Allow the noodle sheets to cool slightly for 1-2 minutes before removing them from the tray because it makes it easier to peel them off without tearing.
Brushing oil:
- While waiting for cooling off, brush a layer of vegetable oil on the noodle sheet. This can prevent noodles sticking together when you stack and cut them.
Cutting the noodles:
- Transfer the noodle sheet to a clean surface and repeat to finish the rest of the noodle sheets, each layer brush with vegetable oil. Then, use a sharp knif slice the sheet into wide strips, usually 1-2 cm wide.
Keep them moist:
- Ho fun noodles can dry out quickly. Brush a layer of oil and keep them covered with plastic wrap or a wet paper towel as you work through steaming and cutting batches.
Tracy O. says
Love fresh make ho fun!