Famous and Viral Thai Dish: “Pad Thai” Recipe

Authentic Pad Thai is a quintessential Thai dish known for its harmonious blend of flavors and textures. This stir-fried noodle dish combines thin rice noodles with tofu or shrimp, eggs, bean sprouts, and a vibrant sauce made from tamarind paste, fish sauce, soy sauce, and palm sugar.

The dish balances sweet, tangy, salty, and umami flavors, often enhanced with crushed peanuts for crunch and lemon wedges for sourness. Garnishes such as fresh cilantro and chili flakes add layers of aroma and spice. Pad Thai exemplifies Thai cuisine’s ability to combine diverse ingredients into a dish that is both comforting and full of complexity, making it a favorite choice in Thailand and around the world.

Ingredients:

• 200g rice noodles
• 150g tofu, sliced into thin strips
• 150g shrimp, peeled and deveined (optional)
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup bean sprouts
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 tbsp tamarind paste
• 2 tbsp fish sauce
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp palm sugar or brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp chili flakes (adjust to taste)
• 1/4 cup roasted peanuts, crushed
• Fresh lime wedges for serving
• Fresh cilantro for garnish (optional)

Kitchen Tools Needed

• Large Pan or Wok
• Small Bowl
• Serving Plates or Bowls

Instructions

• Prepare the noodles: Soak the rice noodles in hot water for about 10-15 minutes until they are soft. Drain the water and set aside.
• Make the sauce: In a small bowl, mix the tamarind paste, fish sauce, soy sauce, and palm sugar until the sugar dissolves. Set aside.
• Cook the tofu and shrimp: Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat. Add the tofu strips and cook until golden brown on all sides. Remove the tofu from the pan and set aside. If using shrimp, add them to the same pan and cook until they are pink and opaque. Remove the shrimp and set aside.
• Cook the eggs: In the same pan, add another tablespoon of oil. Crack the eggs into the pan and scramble them until they are cooked through. Push the eggs to the side of the pan.
• Saute the garlic: Add the chopped garlic to the pan and saute until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
• Mix everything: Add the soaked rice noodles to the pan along with the prepared sauce. Mix everything well and stir until heated through.
• Add the tofu, shrimp, and bean sprouts: Add the cooked tofu and shrimp back to the pan. Add the bean sprouts and mix everything for 1-2 minutes until the bean sprouts are slightly wilted.
• Serve: Transfer the pad thai to a serving plate. Garnish with crushed peanuts, chili flakes, fresh cilantro (if using), and lime wedges.
• Enjoy: Serve hot and enjoy this famous and delicious Thai dish!

Tips for Authentic Pad Thai dish

• Pad Thai needs high heat to get that smoky wok flavor and to keep the noodles from getting soggy. Make sure your pan or wok is hot before adding the ingredients.
• Pad Thai cooks quickly once you start, so have all your ingredients chopped, measured, and ready before you start cooking.
• Use real tamarind paste for the sauce. It provides the distinctive tangy flavor that defines pad thai. If using tamarind concentrate, dilute it with a little water and adjust to taste.
• Pad Thai should have a perfect balance of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors. Adjust the amount of fish sauce, sugar, and chili flakes to get the desired balance according to your taste.
• Soak rice noodles until they’re soft but still firm. They will continue to cook even when fried, so don’t oversoak them initially and don’t overcook them in the pan.
• Include traditional ingredients like tofu, shrimp, eggs, bean sprouts and peanuts. These add layers of texture and flavour to the dish.
• Garnish with crushed peanuts, fresh cilantro, lime wedges and extra bean sprouts for freshness and texture.
• Pad Thai is best served hot off the stove. Serve immediately after cooking to enjoy its flavour and texture to the fullest.

Macros

Calories: 400-500 calories.

Protein: 15-20 grams.

Carbohydrates: 60-70 grams.

Fat: 10-15 grams.

Fiber: About 3-5 grams.

Frequently Asked Questions for Authentic Pad Thai dish!

here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Authentic Pad Thai:

1. What is Pad Thai?
   • Pad Thai is a popular Thai dish made with stir-fried rice noodles, tofu or shrimp, eggs, bean sprouts, and a tangy sauce made of tamarind paste, fish sauce, and other seasonings.
2. Is Pad Thai spicy?
   • Traditional Pad Thai is mildly spicy, but the level of spiciness can be adjusted to suit individual preferences by adding more or less chili flakes or fresh chili peppers.
3. What are the key ingredients in Pad Thai sauce?
   • The key ingredients in Pad Thai sauce include tamarind paste (for tanginess), fish sauce (for umami), soy sauce (for saltiness), and palm sugar or brown sugar (for sweetness).
4. Can I use chicken instead of shrimp or tofu?
   • Yes, you can substitute shrimp or tofu with sliced chicken breast or thigh meat. Cook the chicken thoroughly before adding it to the stir-fry.
5. How do I prevent the noodles from sticking together?
   • After soaking the noodles, rinse them under cold water to stop the cooking process and prevent sticking. Toss them with a bit of oil to further prevent clumping.
6. Can I make Pad Thai ahead of time?
   • Pad Thai is best enjoyed fresh, but you can prepare the sauce and soak the noodles ahead of time. Cook the dish just before serving to maintain its texture and flavor.
7. What are good garnishes for Pad Thai?
   • Common garnishes include crushed roasted peanuts, fresh lime wedges, bean sprouts, cilantro, and chili flakes. These add texture, freshness, and extra flavor to the dish.

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