Neon Agar-Agar Noodles (Printable)

Bright agar-agar noodles with a savory soy dip, featuring playful colors and a refreshing texture.

# What You Need:

→ Neon Agar-Agar Noodles

01 - 2 1/8 cups water
02 - 0.25 oz agar-agar powder
03 - 1 tablespoon sugar
04 - Food coloring, assorted neon colors (gel or liquid, food-safe)

→ Dipping Sauce

05 - 1/3 cup soy sauce or tamari (for gluten-free)
06 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
07 - 1 tablespoon mirin
08 - 1 teaspoon sesame oil
09 - 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
10 - 1 teaspoon sugar
11 - 1 scallion, finely sliced
12 - 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds (optional)

→ Garnish

13 - Microgreens or edible flowers (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Combine water, agar-agar powder, and sugar in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly until agar-agar dissolves completely, approximately 2-3 minutes.
02 - Remove from heat. Divide the hot mixture into separate bowls, one per color. Add one or two drops of food coloring to each bowl and stir well to incorporate.
03 - Using a syringe or squeeze bottle, pipe the colored agar mixture into a bowl of ice water to form noodle-like strands. Allow to set for 1-2 minutes until firm. Alternatively, pour mixture into a flat tray, let set, then slice into thin noodles with a sharp knife.
04 - Collect the set noodles, rinse briefly with cold water, drain thoroughly, and refrigerate until serving.
05 - In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, mirin, sesame oil, grated ginger, and sugar until sugar dissolves. Stir in sliced scallion and toasted sesame seeds if using.
06 - Arrange chilled neon agar-agar noodles in small bundles. Garnish with microgreens or edible flowers if desired. Present with dipping sauce on the side.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's pure theater on a plate, the kind of thing that makes guests lean in before they even taste it.
  • The bouncy, delicate texture is nothing like regular noodles—cool and almost silky against your tongue.
  • Once you nail the technique, you can play with colors and flavors endlessly, making it feel brand new each time.
02 -
  • Agar-agar is unforgiving about temperature—if you let it cool too much before piping, it will set in the syringe and you'll be stuck; keep it warm but not boiling.
  • Food coloring intensity matters hugely; what looks pale in the pot will look washed out on the plate, so use more color than feels necessary.
  • The noodles will keep in the refrigerator for up to three days if stored in a covered container, though the texture gradually becomes slightly firmer and less silky.
03 -
  • Chill your syringe or squeeze bottle in ice water before filling it; this keeps the agar from setting too quickly inside the tip.
  • If your noodles come out thick instead of delicate, you're probably piping too slowly—move with confidence and let gravity help you.
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