Whether or not you need to soak rice noodles before cooking depends on the type of rice noodles you have. There are two main types of rice noodles: fresh rice noodles and dried rice noodles.
Fresh Rice Noodles: These noodles are soft and pliable, and they usually come packaged in a plastic bag, submerged in water. Since they are already soft, there's no need to soak them before cooking. Simply rinse them in cold water to separate the strands and then add them directly to your stir-fries, soups, or other dishes. They cook quickly, usually within a couple of minutes.
Dried Rice Noodles: These are the more common type of rice noodles found in grocery stores. Dried rice noodles are hard and brittle when dry, so they require soaking in water to rehydrate before cooking. Follow these steps when using dried rice noodles:
a. Place the desired amount of dried rice noodles in a large bowl. b. Pour enough room-temperature or lukewarm water over the noodles to submerge them completely. c. Let the noodles soak for the time indicated on the package instructions, usually between 10 to 30 minutes, until they become soft and pliable. d. Drain the water from the noodles before using them in your recipe.
Once the rice noodles are soaked and softened, you can use them in various dishes such as Pad Thai, pho, or stir-fries. Remember not to over-soak the noodles, as they can become too soft and mushy if left in water for too long. Additionally, different brands and thicknesses of rice noodles may have varying soaking times, so it's always a good idea to follow the specific instructions on the package.