Easy Pad Thai (stir fried Noodles) recipe is the national dish of Thailand. You will find this amazing classic dish on nearly every menu in Thai restaurants. It is also a popular street food.
It can be made with shrimp, chicken or pork for a heartier meal or just with tofu to keep it vegetarian. Once you try it, you will quickly see why it is such a popular Thai dish.
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Once again, easy pad Thai (stir fried noodles) recipe is so quick to make. In our cooking class in Chiang Mai it took a total of 4 1/2 minutes to cook it up once you have prepped the few ingredients. Who doesn't love a quick, easy and delicious meal? Aside from amazing flavor it is another reason I simply love Thai food.
Key Ingredients you will need
You may have to head to you local Asian market to find a few key ingredients unless of course you have a market with good international section.
Rice Noodles- You want a thin flat rice noodle to make an authentic Pad Thai. Some packages will even be called Pad Thai noodles. They are sometimes called wide rice noodles or rice vermicelli or glass noodles . Any flat dry rice noodles will do.
Tamarind paste- I love this ingredient, it adds a sour taste that make a tangy sauce, that is amazing. You can find tamarind pulps in a block that you dilute in water making a tamarind sauce or paste,or you can find a paste in a jar that is already diluted. I always keep a block in my pantry. In a pinch you could substitute pomegranate molasses, lime juice or even white vinegar or even rice vinegar although it won't be the same.
Fish sauce - This adds a wonderful umami flavor and be sure to get the best one you can find.
Palm Sugar- you will find in little discs or in a block that you can grate. You could substitute brown sugar in a pinch.
Firm Tofu -if you are using it instead of another protein like shrimp, chicken or pork, make sure it is a firm tofu. Do not use a soft tofu as it will disintegrate when you stir fry it. Tofu is great but my favorite is with shrimp but make what you love.
The other ingredients can be found in you local grocery store versus Asian markets.
Bean sprouts, carrots, limes, as you will garnish your pad Thai with lime wedges, roasted peanuts, chives or spring onions, aka green onions, chili powder, molasses, shallots, large egg, oil, salt.
Putting your Easy Pad Thai Stir Fried Noodles together
Make sure you soak your noodles for about 30 minutes in warm water vs hot water ahead of time or simply follow the package directions. Later you will add them to the wok and stir them so they need to be soft when you add them in.
Make the pad Thai sauce.
As I mentioned this whips up in a hurry in a wok. You will actually use the sides of the wok to move items to, as you go. If you don't have one, I recommend you invest in one, it is a great addition to your ordinary pots and pans. I love this wok. Of course you can do this in a frying pan but it will be difficult to move the items to the side of the pan.
First you will add the vegetable oil into the wok and get it to a medium low heat. Add in your protein, whether it is tofu, shrimp, or chicken etc. You will also add in the shallots and fry until crunchy. Cook it until done by frying it quickly and then simply moving it to the side of the wok.
Next you will add the egg. Using the side of your spatula you will sort of scramble the egg. The egg should be put in the wok whole not already a beaten egg. This way as you scramble it with the spatula you will have both white and yellow pieces of egg vs. scrambled eggs. You can now mix everything in the wok together and move this mixture once again to the side.
Now you will add the noodles and the seasoning sauce that you have already prepared. Stir fry them together until soft and warm. Add in the bean sprouts, grated carrots, and chives. Mix everything together in the wok well. Serve on a plate with crushed roasted peanuts, and lime wedges.
Enjoy like you would at your favorite Thai restaurant
More Authentic Thai Dishes
Pad Thai is somewhat similar to another stir fried noodles recipe called Pad See Ew which has a bit more sweet and sour flavor. I love them both. They are both great noodle dishes.
If you are looking for more authentic dishes like this easy pad Thai stir fried noodles recipe for an incredible Thai meal be sure to check out the Thai Papaya Salad, Basil chicken or Bananas in Coconut Milk .
If you would like to learn more about the bucolic country of Thailand , its traditions, food and culture be sure to check out "Our Journey to Thailand" there you will also find more authentic and ancestral recipes like this popular Easy Thai Basil Chicken Recipe.
Craving even more? Be sure to join the culinary and cultural journey around the world, so you don’t miss a thing, it’s free, You can also follow me on Instagram, Facebook , Pinterest and youtube to follow along our journey.
Easy Pad Thai (Stir Fried Noodles) Recipe
Equipment
- Wok
Ingredients
For the seasoning sauce
- 2/3 cup water
- 1 1/2 Tbsp tamarind paste
- 1 Tbsp Palm sugar
- 2 Tbsp fish sauce
- 2 tsp molasses
- 1/2 tsp chili powder hot or to your heat tolerance
Pad Thai ingredients
- 4 Tbsp oil
- 2/3 cup tofu firm cut into bite size pieces or use 1/2 lb, shrimp, cut up chicken or pork
- 4 shallots chopped
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
- 160 grams rice noodles Usually 1/2 package softened per package
- 2/3 cup carrot grated
- 1 cup bean sprouts
- 1/4 cup roasted peanuts crushed
- 1 Tbsp chives chopped
- 2 limes cut into wedges for garnish
Instructions
Preparing the seasonin sauce
- Put water in a bowl
- Add tamarind paste, palm sugar, fish sauce, molasses, and chili powder. Mix together well.
Making the Pad Thai
- Heat the oil in the wok to a medium low heat.
- Add the shallots, tofu or other protein and salt. Fry until crunchy and cooked through. Move to side of wok.
- Add the egg and scramble using the side of your spatula. Mix it together with the tofu and shallot mixture and move it to the side of the wok.
- Add in the noodles and the seasoning sauce, stir fry until the noodles are nice and soft. Stir in a circular motion using the side of your spatula .
- Add in the bean sprouts, grated carrots, and chives. Mix everything in the wok together really well.
- Plate the Pad Thai and serve with crushed peanuts on top and the lime wedges.
