🥢 How to Make Authentic Pad Thai
Pad Thai is one of the most iconic dishes of Thai cuisine, known for its balance of sweet, sour, salty, and umami flavors. Whether you’ve tasted it from a Bangkok street cart or a restaurant abroad, making Pad Thai at home is both achievable and satisfying. Here’s everything you need to know.
📜 Ingredients (Serves 2)
Essential Ingredients:
- 120g rice noodles (medium-thick, soaked in warm water 30 mins)
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 150g shrimp (peeled & deveined) or tofu for vegetarian
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 egg
- 1 cup bean sprouts
- 2 stalks Chinese chives or spring onions (cut 2-inch)
- 2 tbsp crushed peanuts (for garnish)
- 1 lime (cut into wedges)
Pad Thai Sauce:
- 2 tbsp tamarind paste
- 1.5 tbsp palm sugar (or brown sugar)
- 1 tbsp fish sauce (or soy sauce for vegetarian)
- 1 tsp chili flakes (optional)
🧑🍳 Instructions
- Make the Sauce:
In a small bowl, mix tamarind paste, palm sugar, fish sauce, and chili flakes. Stir well until the sugar dissolves. Set aside. - Prepare the Pan:
Heat oil in a wok or large frying pan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and stir until fragrant. - Cook the Protein:
Add shrimp or tofu and stir-fry until cooked through (about 2–3 minutes). - Add Noodles:
Drain the soaked noodles and add them to the pan. Pour the Pad Thai sauce over and stir-fry until the noodles absorb the sauce and soften (about 2–3 minutes). - Push and Scramble:
Push noodles to one side. Crack an egg into the empty space. Scramble it briefly, then mix into the noodles. - Final Touches:
Add bean sprouts and Chinese chives. Toss everything together for 30 seconds. Remove from heat.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
- Serve hot, topped with crushed peanuts and lime wedges.
- Optional: sprinkle extra chili flakes or sugar for the street-style experience.
💡 Tips for Success
- Don’t overcook the noodles. Soft but chewy is ideal.
- Use tamarind for authentic flavor — lemon or vinegar is not the same.
- Add dried shrimp or preserved radish for traditional flair (optional).
- Cook in batches if doubling the recipe to avoid soggy noodles.
🌱 Vegetarian Variation
Replace shrimp with extra-firm tofu and use soy sauce instead of fish sauce. Add more vegetables like carrots or mushrooms if desired.
