Are Cellophane Noodles Low in Calories?

If you've enjoyed a noodle dish at a Chinese, Thai or Vietnamese restaurant, you've likely consumed cellophane noodles -- perhaps without even knowing their name. This type of noodle is thin and has a white, nestlike appearance but isn't the same as a rice noodle, which you can also find in Asian restaurants. Cellophane noodles are typically produced from starches such as mung beans. Their calories are comparable to those in other types of noodle.

Cellophane noodles are typically produced from starches such as mung beans. (Image: Yingko/iStock/Getty Images)

On Par With Other Noodles

A 3.5-ounce serving of cellophane noodles contains about 351 calories, reports the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Nutrient Database. The same amount of rice noodles, notes the USDA, has 364 calories. Egg noodles contain about 384 calories per 3.5-ounce serving. Japanese soba noodles have 336 calories in the same size of serving. Plain, fresh pasta, meanwhile, contains 288 calories per 3.5 ounces. The sauce and other ingredients in your noodle dish increase the meal's caloric value.