Introduction: Thailand’s Beloved Comfort Food Pad Kra Pao (ผัดกระเพรา), or Thai Holy Basil Stir-Fry, is one of Thailand’s most beloved street food dishes and a true staple in Thai cuisine. This aromatic, spicy stir-fry is named after its star ingredient—holy basil (bai kra pao)—which gives the dish its distinctive peppery, clove-like flavor that cannot be substituted with other basil varieties. In Thailand, Pad Kra Pao is the ultimate comfort food and go-to quick meal. It’s often the dish that locals order when they can’t decide what to eat—Thailand’s equivalent of a “burger and fries” in terms of popularity and comfort. What makes this dish truly special is its perfect balance…