Pad Thai Recipe | 1-Minute Video
From what I’ve read, there seems to be some variation in the specific origins of pad Thai.
But I was interested to learn that all sources agree that pad Thai is actually a relatively new dish, invented in Thailand less than 100 years ago. Some historians say that it originated in the 1930s thanks to a competition held by Plaek Phibunsongkhram, the prime minister at the time, who was trying to promote nationalism by encouraging chefs to create a new national dish with Thailand’s signature blend of sweet, salty and sour flavors. Other historians believe that the dish came about during a wartime shortage of rice, when the prime minister was encouraging cooks to create new dishes with rice noodles instead of the usual larger quantities of rice.
Whatever the exact origins, the dish immediately became a hit in Thailand and is now one of the most famous noodle dishes in the world. (It actually ranked as the 5th most popular dish in the world in this poll a decade ago!) Different countries and different cooks have definitely put their own spin on the dish in modern times, often subbing in different proteins, seasonings and veggies used in their recipes. But the base dish with its brilliant combo of stir-fried rice noodles, eggs, bean sprouts, and a tangy pad Thai sauce remains relatively consistent worldwide. And the world seems to adore it!
Here’s a great video to watch if you would like to learn more about the history of pad Thai.
Here are some notes regarding the ingredients you will need to make the stir-fried noodles for this pad Thai recipe before we go into the full recipe below:
- Rice noodles: These thin rice noodles are typically used to make pad thai. However, any width of rice noodles you happen to have will also function.
- Protein: I’ve included a recipe for chicken pad Thai below, but you can substitute any other protein you’d like, such as shrimp, beef, pork, or tofu.
- Veggies: According to what I’ve read, different Thai regions have different traditional pad Thai vegetable lists. However, I’ve included the most popular combination of sliced green onions, shredded (or matchstick) carrots, and fresh bean sprouts in this recipe.
- Garlic: I also like to add a ton of finely chopped, fresh garlic to this stir-fry.
- Eggs: The recipe I’ve included below also calls for eggs, which are quickly scrambled and then combined with the noodles in the stir-fry. However, you are welcome to leave out the eggs if you are making this dish vegan.
- Last but not least, when it comes to toppings, I believe that the more the better. I especially enjoy adding a ton of chopped peanuts for crunch and an extra squeeze of fresh lime juice for tang to my noodles. Additionally, if you want to increase the heat in your dish, feel free to add a little more crushed red pepper flakes.
The following ingredients are required to prepare the delectable pad Thai sauce:
- The main component of pad Thai that gives the sauce its distinctive tangy, sweet, and fruity flavor is tamarind concentrate. Granted, ketchup has replaced it in some American Thai restaurants, giving the meal a noticeably different and less tart flavor. (And also makes the dish notably more red/orange. However, if you want the sauce to taste as fresh and authentic as possible, I highly suggest getting a jar of tamarind concentrate. It is available for purchase online or in the grocery store’s Thai section. To ensure optimal results, use a Thai brand of tamarind concentrate for this recipe, as Indian brands differ considerably in terms of flavor and potency. (For this recipe, I do not suggest using Tamicon tamarind concentrate. ).
- Brown sugar: In Thailand, palm sugar is typically used to make pad thai. However, because it can be hard to find in US grocery stores, I’ve included a recipe below with light brown sugar (you can also use coconut sugar).
- Fish sauce: For this recipe, you’ll also need some high-quality fish sauce. (This brand is my favorite!).
- Soy sauce: To add even more salty-umami flavor to the dish, we’ll also add a small amount of soy sauce.
- Lime juice: Naturally, an abundance of freshly squeezed lime juice
- Crushed red pepper flakes: Lastly, to add a little heat to the dish, add any kind and quantity of chili flakes you like.
Why I love this recipe:
- 30 minutes total: That’s ideal for a hectic weeknight!
- Easy: All of the ingredients are combined in a single pan with just a few easy steps!
- Flavorful: This dish really shines thanks to the homemade pad thai sauce and fresh veggies!
What is Pad Thai?
Rice noodles, shrimp, chicken, or tofu, peanuts, a scrambled egg, and bean sprouts are the ingredients of the stir-fried dish pad Thai. All of the ingredients are combined and sautéed in a wok with a flavorful Pad Thai sauce. It’s a staple of Thai street cuisine and a top choice on menus at Thai eateries all over the nation.
Pad Thai can be made vegan or vegetarian by omitting the egg and using more soy sauce in place of the fish sauce.
