The Complete Guide to Fresh Asian Noodles: Types, Cooking & Where to Buy in Perth
- Jul 14
- 6 min read
Fresh Asian noodles are noodles made shortly before you buy them, with no drying or freezing step in between, which is what gives them their springy bite and clean, wheaty flavour. That single difference in process shapes everything else: how they cook, how they taste, and how they should be stored.
This guide brings together everything Yunion knows about fresh noodles in one place: the main types you'll come across, how fresh compares to dried and frozen, how to store and cook them properly, and where to actually buy them if you're in Perth. Each section links through to a full deep-dive if you want more detail on a specific topic.
We've made noodles this way since 1989, from the same Osborne Park facility, using the same recipes the whole time. Everything below reflects what we've learned making fresh noodles daily for over three decades.
Ready to see the range? Browse our full range of fresh noodles or find a stockist near you.
What Makes a Noodle "Fresh"?
A fresh noodle is made from dough, cut, and sold within days, with no dehydration and no freeze-thaw cycle involved. That matters because both of those processes change the noodle at a structural level.
Drying strips moisture out of the dough, which the noodle then has to reabsorb during cooking, often unevenly. Freezing forms ice crystals inside the noodle's starch and gluten structure, which damages that structure and softens the texture once thawed.
Fresh noodles skip both problems, which is why they keep their bite and cook in a fraction of the time.
Why Fresh Noodles Taste Better goes into the science behind this in more detail, covering gluten structure and moisture content.
If you're curious what that process actually looks like day to day, How We Make Fresh Noodles Every Day walks through our production at Osborne Park from mixing to packaging.
Types of Fresh Asian Noodles
Most Asian noodles fall into two families: wheat noodles, made from wheat flour and water (sometimes egg), and rice noodles, made from rice flour. Within wheat noodles, the varieties below cover most of what you'll need for home cooking or a commercial kitchen.
Thick, yellow wheat noodles with a satisfying chew. Hokkien noodles are Yunion's flagship product, and they're sturdy enough to hold their own in rich broths like laksa or fish ball noodle soup, as well as substantial stir-fries.
Thinner than Hokkien but still firm and springy. Not to be confused with traditional udon, our Japanese-style noodles are well suited to stir-fries where bounce and bite matter.
Thinner again, with a smooth texture and rich egg flavour. These work best in lighter dishes like lo mein and chow mein, where you want the noodle to take on the flavour of the sauce rather than compete with it.
Fresh, pliable sheets for making your own wontons or dumplings at home, or for restaurant kitchens making these to order.
A Note on Rice Noodles
Rice noodles, used in dishes like pad thai and pho, are naturally gluten free and sit alongside wheat noodles as the other major noodle family in Asian cooking. Yunion specialises in fresh wheat noodles, so if a recipe calls specifically for rice noodles, that's worth knowing before you shop.
For a closer look at each variety, including which dish suits which noodle, see our full Types of Asian Noodles guide.
Know which noodle you need? Find it on our products page and check your nearest stockist.
Fresh vs Dried vs Frozen: Which Should You Use?
All three have a place in a kitchen, but they're not interchangeable if texture and taste matter to the dish.
Fresh noodles cook in 1 to 3 minutes, keep a springy bite, and carry a clean wheat flavour without needing preservatives
Dried noodles last far longer on the shelf but need rehydrating during cooking, which can leave them starchy or gummy
Frozen noodles offer convenience and a longer window before use, but the freeze-thaw cycle softens texture compared to a noodle that's never been frozen
If you're after the best possible result and you're cooking within a few days, fresh wins. If you need a long shelf life for occasional use, dried or frozen are reasonable trade-offs.
For the full comparison, including how each stacks up nutritionally, see: Are Fresh Noodles Healthier Than Dried or Instant? Fresh vs Frozen Noodles: What's the Difference?
How to Store, Freeze and Cook Fresh Noodles
Fresh noodles are simple to work with once you know the basics:
Keep unopened packs refrigerated at 2 to 4°C and use by the date on the label
Most fresh noodles can be frozen for up to 2 months if you won't use them in time, though texture softens slightly on thawing
Boil for 1 to 3 minutes depending on thickness, or blanch briefly before stir-frying
Rinse in cold water after boiling if using in a cold dish or before a hot wok
The full guide, including freezing advice broken down by noodle type and answers to the most common storage questions, is here: How to Store, Freeze and Cook Fresh Noodles for the Best Results
Where to Buy Fresh Asian Noodles in Perth
Yunion supplies fresh noodles across Perth through a few different channels, depending on what you need.
For home cooks: our retail packs (170g to 1kg) are stocked at independent grocers, Asian supermarkets and premium grocers across Perth Metro and parts of regional WA. Find your nearest stockist here.
For restaurants, cafés and caterers: we supply bulk commercial quantities (10 to 50kg) of Hokkien, Yang Chun, wonton skins and gow gee skins direct from our Osborne Park facility, with the same batch-to-batch consistency chefs need for service. Yunion holds both HACCP and Halal certification simultaneously, which is uncommon among WA noodle manufacturers and gives kitchens certainty they can rely on week to week.
See why local operators choose us in Why Perth's Top Asian Restaurants Choose Yunion Noodles.
For trade enquiries and bulk orders, get in touch with our team directly on (08) 9443 8375.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the actual difference between fresh and dried noodles?
Fresh noodles are made and sold within days with no dehydration step, which keeps the gluten structure intact for a springier bite. Dried noodles last longer but need rehydrating during cooking, which can leave them starchy or uneven in texture.
Are fresh noodles better than frozen ones?
For texture, yes. Freezing forms ice crystals that damage the noodle's structure, so a thawed noodle is softer than one that's never been frozen. Frozen noodles are still a reasonable option for convenience or longer storage.
Which fresh noodle should I use for a stir-fry?
Hokkien or Japanese noodles both hold up well to high heat and a hot wok. Shanghai egg noodles suit lighter stir-fries where you want the sauce to come through more.
Which fresh noodle is best for soup, like laksa?
Hokkien noodles are the standard choice. Their thickness holds up in rich broths without going soft too quickly.
Can I buy fresh noodles online in Perth?
Yes, Yunion offers online ordering with fresh delivery across Perth. Find a stockist near you or contact our team for delivery options.
Are Yunion's noodles Halal certified?
Yes. Yunion holds both HACCP and Halal certification at the same time across our full range, made at our Osborne Park facility.
How long do fresh noodles last, and can they be frozen?
Unopened packs keep until the date on the label. Once opened, use within a day or two for the best texture. Most varieties can be frozen for up to 2 months. Full detail is in our storage and freezing guide.
Do restaurants and cafés buy from Yunion directly?
Yes. We supply bulk quantities (10 to 50kg) direct from Osborne Park to restaurants, cafés and caterers across Perth, with HACCP and Halal certification and consistent weekly supply. Get in touch to discuss trade pricing and delivery.
Find Your Fresh Noodle
Whichever type you're after, and whether you're cooking for one dinner or supplying a commercial kitchen, the same standard applies: made fresh in Osborne Park, using recipes that haven't changed since 1989.
Find a Yunion stockist near you, browse the full range, or contact our team for trade enquiries and bulk orders.
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