🌍 Country of Origin:
Thailand – Pad Thai is one of the most internationally recognized Thai dishes. It’s a sweet, sour, salty, and slightly spicy stir-fried noodle dish that balances flavors in a way only Thai cuisine can.
🍜 What is Pad Thai?
Pad Thai is a stir-fried rice noodle dish with eggs, tofu or shrimp, bean sprouts, and peanuts, all tossed in a tangy tamarind-based sauce. It’s commonly served by street vendors in Thailand and is known for its vibrant, colorful appearance and rich flavor.
🧂 Ingredients (Serves 2):
For the Sauce:
2 tablespoons fish sauce (or soy sauce for vegetarian)
1 tablespoon palm sugar (or brown sugar)
1 teaspoon chili flakes (optional for heat)
2 tablespoons water
For the Noodles:
200g shrimp (peeled) or tofu (cubed)
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 cloves garlic (minced)
2 eggs (lightly beaten)
1 cup bean sprouts
2 green onions (chopped)
1/4 cup crushed roasted peanuts
1 small lime (cut into wedges)
Fresh cilantro for garnish (optional)
🔪 How to Make Pad Thai – Step-by-Step
Step 1: Soak the Noodles
Step 2: Prepare the Sauce
Step 3: Cook the Protein
Add shrimp or tofu and cook until done (shrimp turns pink, tofu turns golden). Remove and set aside.
Step 4: Cook the Eggs
Add minced garlic, then pour in the eggs. Scramble them gently until just cooked.
Step 5: Stir-Fry Everything Together
Pour the Pad Thai sauce over the noodles. Stir and toss to coat evenly.
Add bean sprouts, green onions, and the cooked shrimp or tofu. Toss everything together for 1–2 minutes.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Sprinkle crushed peanuts on top.
Serve with lime wedges and optional cilantro.
🥄 Serving Tips
Pad Thai is best served hot and fresh, straight from the pan. It pairs beautifully with:
Cucumber salad
A side of crispy spring rolls
Encourage guests to squeeze lime over the dish just before eating to bring out all the flavors!
📖 Cultural Insight
Pad Thai was popularized during the 1930s in Thailand as part of a national campaign to promote Thai identity and reduce rice consumption. It has since become a symbol of Thai culinary balance and is now beloved all over the world.
📝 Final Thoughts
Pad Thai is perfect for those looking to experience authentic Thai flavor at home. It’s colorful, satisfying, and bursting with contrast—soft noodles, crunchy peanuts, fresh herbs, and bold sauces.
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