I bought a small package of something called "yam cake" at a Korean grocery.
However, from the packaging, I think this is actually a Japanese product.

There is a recipe on the back of the package in English. It doesn't say
anything about yam cake in the recipe, but it does mention konnyaku and
that is the only ingredient in the recipe that I don't recognize. I then
went and looked up "konnyaku" on the web and saw photos of packages, and
it does seem to be the same stuff. It's a gelatinous mess o'white stuff
in water.

My main question is: does it need to be cooked to be eaten? And if so,
for how long? Or is it just a matter of taste? None of the sites I looked
at mentioned anything about whether it's OK to consume it raw. I am making
some noodle soup, and I was just going to cook it in that. Not sure for
how long, but not for hours or anything.

Any advice on this?

Second question: sites on the web have said that this stuff is very high
in fiber and minerals. However, the "nutrition facts" on the back of the
package say it has no fiber, and 0% of vitamins A and C, calcium and iron.
(As well as no carbs, proteins or fats.) It hardly even seems like food.
Any idea why the info on the package would claim it has absolutely no
nutritional value, when what I've read about it says it's actually very
nutritious and healthy?

The company is "Shirakiku" if that means anything to some of you.

Thanks,

--
Joyce ^..^

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