My preferred method is to add them to a large bowl and cover them with very hot water. Let them soak anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes. The longer they soak, the more they will expand. Even after 15 minutes of soaking, they will still be sturdy, and perfect for tossing with a salad or sauce. Once you have drained the noodles, I recommend tossing them with sesame oil to keep them from sticking. Boiling the noodles will speed up the cooking process, but boiling for too long can break them down too much. See the instructions on the packet for the correct boiling time.