Noodlepedia
A glossary of both familiar and lesser-known Asian ingredients and terms.
Water Chestnuts
A crunchy, mildly sweet tuber (not a nut!) used in Chinese and Southeast Asian cuisine. Stays crisp even when cooked!
Pro Tip: Toss into stir-fries at the end of cooking to keep their signature crunch.
How to Use It:
- Add to stir-fries, salads, or spring rolls
- Mix into lettuce wraps or dumpling fillings
- Slice into savory pancake batters or soups
1. Chicken & Water Chestnut Lettuce Cups
Vibe: Crunchy, juicy, savory, and fresh—like PF Chang’s lettuce wraps but way better and customizable.
🛒 Ingredients:
1 lb ground chicken or turkey
1/2 can water chestnuts, finely diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 thumb-sized piece of ginger, grated
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp hoisin sauce
1 tsp sesame oil
Butter lettuce or romaine leaves
Optional: shredded carrots, scallions, sriracha, sesame seeds
👩🍳 Instructions:
In a skillet, sauté garlic and ginger in a little oil.
Add ground chicken and cook through.
Stir in diced water chestnuts, soy sauce, hoisin, and sesame oil.
Cook until sauce is slightly sticky and everything’s hot.
Spoon into lettuce leaves, garnish with carrots/scallions/sesame, and serve!
🌱 Why it slaps: The water chestnuts stay crisp and give these wraps the perfect bite. Super fast, super fresh.
2. Vegetable Stir-Fry with Water Chestnuts & Cashews
Vibe: Colorful, crunchy, and ultra-satisfying. A veggie-forward bowl that’s anything but boring.
🛒 Ingredients:
1/2 can water chestnuts, sliced
2 cups mixed stir-fry veggies (bell peppers, snap peas, broccoli, carrots)
1/4 cup roasted cashews
2 tbsp oyster sauce or hoisin
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp sesame oil
1 clove garlic, minced
Optional: chili oil, rice or noodles for serving
👩🍳 Instructions:
Heat oil in a pan, stir-fry garlic until fragrant.
Add veggies and cook until just tender but still bright.
Toss in water chestnuts and cashews.
Stir in sauces and cook another 1–2 minutes until everything is coated and glossy.
Serve hot over rice or noodles, drizzle with chili oil if you’re into heat.
🥦 Why it works: The combo of soft veggies, crunchy chestnuts, and toasty cashews is next-level texture heaven.