Harusamé

Literally translated, Harusamé means “spring rain.” This poetic name refers to the transparent, almost glassy, quality of the softened noodles.

Harusamé are found packaged in a variety of ways in Oriental groceries. Chinese packages often refer to them as saifun, or bean-thread noodles, made from the starch of mung beans. The Chinese product is typically packed in skeins of crinkly noodles held together with rubber bands and covered with cellophane wrap. The Japanese packages have straighter, thicker strands, packed in an orderly fashion in a clear cellophane bag; the label often says “bean starch noodles,” or occasionally “potato starch noodles.” Either kind is fine. These and other noodle products should be stored in an airtight container on a dark shelf.