Pad Thai is one of Thailand’s most famous and beloved street foods, known for its harmonious balance of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors. This stir-fried noodle dish is not only delicious but also quick and easy to make at home. With the right ingredients and a little practice, you can enjoy authentic Pad Thai in the comfort of your kitchen.
Pad Thai
Pad Thai is one of Thailand's most famous and beloved street foods, known for its harmonious balance of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors. This stir-fried noodle dish is not only delicious but also quick and easy to make at home. With the right ingredients and a little practice, you can enjoy authentic Pad Thai in the comfort of your kitchen.
Ingredients
For the Sauce:
- 3 tablespoons tamarind paste
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce (or soy sauce for a vegetarian version)
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon chili powder (adjust to taste)
For the Noodles:
- 8 oz rice noodles
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup tofu, chicken, shrimp, or your preferred protein (optional)
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten (omit for a vegetarian version)
- 1 cup bean sprouts
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1/4 cup crushed peanuts
- Lime wedges, for serving
- Fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the tamarind paste, fish sauce (or soy sauce), sugar, and chili powder. Stir well until the sugar dissolves. Adjust the flavors to achieve a balanced sweet, sour, salty, and slightly spicy taste. Set the sauce aside.
- Soak the rice noodles in warm water for about 20-30 minutes or until they become pliable but not overly soft.
- Drain and set aside.
- In a wok or large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
- Add the tofu, chicken, shrimp, or your preferred protein (if using) and cook until cooked through. Remove the cooked protein from the pan and set it aside.
- In the same pan, add another tablespoon of vegetable oil.
- Add the minced garlic and stir-fry for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Push the garlic to the side of the pan and pour the lightly beaten eggs (if using) into the other side. Scramble the eggs until they're just set.
- Add the drained rice noodles to the pan and pour the prepared sauce over them.
- Toss everything together to ensure the noodles are well coated with the sauce.
- Add the cooked protein (if using), bean sprouts, and half of the chopped green onions. Stir-fry for another 1-2 minutes until everything is heated through.
- Transfer the Pad Thai to serving plates.
- Sprinkle crushed peanuts over each serving.
- Garnish with lime wedges and the remaining chopped green onions.
- Optionally, add fresh cilantro leaves for a burst of freshness.
- Serve your homemade Pad Thai immediately, allowing diners to squeeze fresh lime juice over their servings for an extra zing of flavor.
