Pad Thai - Thailand's National Dish
Pad Thai is arguably the most famous Thai dish in the world, and for good reason. It balances sweet, sour, salty, and umami in a single pan and can be made in under 20 minutes once you have the ingredients ready. The secret lies in the preparation, as the actual stir-frying goes lightning fast.
What you'll need
- 200 g flat rice noodles
- 2 eggs
- 200 g shrimp, chicken, or tofu
- Spring onion, bean sprouts, and crushed peanuts
- Lime for serving
The classic Pad Thai sauce
The sauce is the heart of the dish. Mix together:
- 3 tbsp tamarind paste
- 3 tbsp fish sauce
- 2 tbsp palm sugar or brown sugar
- 1 tsp chili flakes to taste
Instructions
- Soak the rice noodles in lukewarm water until soft but still firm.
- Stir-fry protein in a hot wok until cooked through, then set aside.
- Quickly scramble eggs and break them into pieces.
- Add the drained noodles and sauce, and mix well.
- Fold in bean sprouts and spring onion right at the end.
- Serve with peanuts, lime, and a little fresh chili.
Common mistakes
The biggest mistake is noodles that are too soft. They should be slightly firm when they go into the wok, as they will continue to soften in the sauce. Always have everything ready before you start stir-frying, because the wok won't wait. And don't be afraid of high heat; it's precisely what gives it that characteristic smoky flavor.
Balance is everything
Taste the sauce before you pour it in. It should have a clear balance between sweetness from the sugar, sourness from the tamarind, and saltiness from the fish sauce. If something is missing, adjust with more of one of the ingredients until it sings.
Shop everything at FUDI
At FUDI, you'll find rice noodles, tamarind paste, fish sauce, and palm sugar—everything you need to make an authentic Pad Thai. It's perfect as a quick weekday dinner that still feels like a little trip to Bangkok.
