🍜 Pad Thai (Thailand)

1. The Story Behind Pad Thai

Pad Thai is Thailand’s national dish, symbolizing harmony and balance. It originated during the 1930s under Prime Minister Plaek Phibunsongkhram’s campaign to promote Thai identity. Pad Thai was encouraged as a national dish that used local rice noodles and represented the unity of flavors found in Thai culture.

2. What Makes Pad Thai Special?

Pad Thai captures the four key Thai taste profiles — sweet (palm sugar), sour (tamarind), salty (fish sauce), and spicy (chili flakes). Every bite reflects Thailand’s balance between boldness and elegance.

3. Traditional Ingredients

• 200g rice noodles (thin, flat)
• 150g shrimp, chicken, or tofu
• 2 eggs
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 small shallot, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp fish sauce
• 1 tbsp tamarind paste
• 1 tbsp palm sugar (or brown sugar)
• 1 tbsp crushed peanuts
• 1 cup bean sprouts
• 1 green onion, sliced
• Lime wedges for serving

4. How to Make Authentic Pad Thai (Step-by-Step)

1. Prepare the noodles: Soak rice noodles in warm water for 30 minutes until soft, then drain.
2. Make the sauce: Mix tamarind paste, fish sauce, and palm sugar in a small bowl. Adjust sweetness and saltiness to taste.
3. Cook the protein: Heat oil in a wok, add shrimp, tofu, or chicken. Stir-fry until cooked through, then remove.
4. Sauté aromatics: In the same wok, add garlic and shallots. Cook until fragrant.
5. Add eggs: Push the aromatics to one side and scramble the eggs lightly.
6. Add noodles and sauce: Add soaked noodles, pour the sauce over, and toss quickly to combine.
7. Mix everything: Add cooked protein, bean sprouts, and green onions. Stir well for 1–2 minutes.
8. Serve: Garnish with crushed peanuts, lime wedges, and chili flakes.

5. The Secret to Great Pad Thai

The secret lies in timing and heat control. Wok cooking requires high heat and fast movement — too long and the noodles clump, too short and they remain undercooked. The perfect Pad Thai should be glossy, slightly tangy, and lightly smoky from the wok.

6. Health Benefits

Pad Thai is a balanced meal: rice noodles provide carbohydrates, shrimp and tofu add protein, and vegetables supply vitamins and fiber. Lime and tamarind are rich in antioxidants, while peanuts offer healthy fats.

7. Pad Thai Around the World

Today, Pad Thai is served globally in restaurants from Bangkok to New York. Some versions use chicken instead of shrimp or add chili paste and soy sauce for regional twists. However, the authentic Pad Thai remains a delicate balance of natural flavors and textures.