Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Authentic Thai Pad See Ew is a beloved street food dish known for its chewy, tender wide rice noodles stir-fried with a savory sauce, crispy Chinese broccoli, and your choice of protein. This dish perfectly balances sweet, salty, and savory flavors, with just the right amount of char on the noodles, creating a rich and satisfying meal. The combination of fresh garlic, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and Thai black soy sauce creates a deep umami flavor, making this dish one that you’ll want to enjoy over and over. Plus, it’s quick to make, taking only 30 minutes from start to finish, and it’s fully customizable based on your protein preference.
Ingredients
For the Marinated Meat:
8 oz (225 g) protein of your choice (beef or chicken, thinly sliced)
2 tsp (10 ml) soy sauce for marinating meat (omit for shrimp or tofu)
¼ tsp (1 ml) sugar
For Pad See Ew:
3-4 tbsp (45-60 ml) vegetable oil
4 cloves garlic, chopped
2 large eggs
4-6 stalks (150 g) Chinese broccoli (gai lan), stems thinly sliced on a bias, leaves roughly chopped
1 lb (450g) fresh wide rice noodles (ho fun noodles, store-bought or homemade)
4 tsp granulated sugar
Ground white pepper, to taste
For the Sauce:
2 tbsp (30 ml) oyster sauce
1 tbsp (15 ml) soy sauce
1 ½ tsp (7.5 ml) fish sauce
1 ½ tsp (7.5 ml) Golden Mountain sauce (or substitute with Maggi Seasoning)
2 tsp (10 ml) Thai black soy sauce
Optional Condiment (Highly Recommended):
Chili vinegar (prik nam som)
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
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Marinate the Meat:
In a bowl, mix the protein with soy sauce and sugar. For lean meats like chicken breast, add 2 tsp of water to keep it juicy. Set aside while you prepare the other ingredients. -
Prepare Noodles:
If the rice noodles are stuck together, gently peel them apart and divide them into individual portions (225g per serving). -
Make the Sauce:
In a small bowl, combine all the sauce ingredients and stir until mixed. Divide the sauce into portions, about 2 tbsp + 1 tsp (35 ml) per serving. -
Cook the Meat:
Heat 1 tbsp of oil in a wok or large cast iron skillet over high heat. Add the marinated meat and spread it out into a single layer. Let it sear until browned on one side, then toss it to cook through. Remove the meat from the pan and set aside. -
Stir-Fry the Noodles (Cook One Portion at a Time for Best Results):
In the same wok, heat 1 ½ tbsp of oil over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and cook until golden.
Crack in 1 egg, break the yolk, and let it set halfway before scrambling.
Add the Chinese broccoli and toss for about 10-15 seconds to coat in the oil.
Add 1 portion of rice noodles, 1 portion of sauce, and 2 tsp of sugar. Increase the heat to high, tossing to coat the noodles evenly.
Let the noodles sit for 15-30 seconds without stirring to get some char on one side. Toss the noodles and let the other side char. Repeat if you want more toasting. -
Finish and Serve:
Add the cooked protein back into the pan (without any excess juices) and toss briefly to combine. Turn off the heat.
Plate the noodles and wipe the pan clean with a paper towel before cooking the next serving.
Garnish with ground white pepper and serve with chili vinegar on the side.
Servings and Timing
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Servings: 2
-
Prep Time: 20 minutes
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Cook Time: 10 minutes
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Total Time: 30 minutes
Variations
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Vegetarian Version: Use tofu or tempeh as a protein substitute.
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Spicy Pad See Ew: Add more chili vinegar or stir in some sliced fresh chilies for extra heat.
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Extra Vegetables: Add other vegetables such as bell peppers, mushrooms, or baby corn to make the dish even more filling.
Storage/Reheating
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Storage: Store any leftover Pad See Ew in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
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Reheating: Reheat in a wok or skillet over medium heat. Add a splash of water or soy sauce to help loosen the noodles as they may stick together after refrigeration.
FAQs
1. Can I use different noodles for Pad See Ew?
Yes, you can use other types of rice noodles, but wide rice noodles (ho fun) are ideal for this dish due to their chewy texture.
2. Can I use shrimp instead of beef or chicken?
Yes, shrimp works beautifully in Pad See Ew. Just skip the marinating step and add them directly to the stir-fry.
3. What if I can’t find Chinese broccoli (gai lan)?
If Chinese broccoli is unavailable, you can substitute with regular broccoli or bok choy.
4. What is Golden Mountain sauce, and can I substitute it?
Golden Mountain sauce is a Thai seasoning sauce that adds depth to the dish. If you can’t find it, you can use Maggi Seasoning sauce as a substitute.
5. Can I use pre-cooked rice noodles for this recipe?
If you use pre-cooked rice noodles, you’ll still need to stir-fry them, but be careful not to overcook them as they can become too soft.
6. How do I get the noodles to char properly?
The key to getting the noodles to char is to let them sit in the pan without stirring for 15-30 seconds to form a crispy layer. Toss the noodles and let the other side char as well.
7. Can I make the sauce ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the sauce ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
8. How can I make Pad See Ew less salty?
To reduce the saltiness, cut back on the soy sauce and fish sauce, or opt for low-sodium versions of both.
9. What if I can’t find Thai black soy sauce?
If you can’t find Thai black soy sauce, you can use a regular dark soy sauce, though it may slightly alter the flavor.
10. Can I make Pad See Ew spicier?
Yes, you can make it spicier by increasing the amount of chili vinegar or adding fresh chili peppers to the stir-fry.
Conclusion
Authentic Thai Pad See Ew is a flavorful, savory dish that combines chewy rice noodles with a deliciously balanced sauce, stir-fried with tender meat and crunchy Chinese broccoli. With its sweet, salty, and savory flavors, it’s a true crowd-pleaser and can easily be customized with your choice of protein or level of spice. Perfect for a quick weeknight meal or a weekend indulgence, Pad See Ew offers the vibrant flavors of Thai street food right in your own kitchen. Enjoy the irresistible charred noodles and delightful sauce, and you’ll be hooked from the first bite!
Print
Authentic Thai Pad See Ew
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
Description
Chewy, tender wide rice noodles stir-fried with a savory sauce and crunchy Chinese broccoli, a cult-favorite Thai street food dish with a perfect balance of sweet, salty, and savory flavors.
Ingredients
- For the Marinated Meat:
- 8 oz (225 g) protein of your choice (beef or chicken, thinly sliced)
- 2 tsp (10 ml) soy sauce for marinating meat (omit for shrimp or tofu)
- ¼ tsp (1 ml) sugar
- For Pad See Ew:
- 3–4 tbsp (45–60 ml) vegetable oil
- 4 cloves garlic, chopped
- 2 large eggs
- 4–6 stalks (150 g) Chinese broccoli (gai lan), stems thinly sliced on a bias, leaves roughly chopped
- 1 lb (450g) fresh wide rice noodles (ho fun noodles, store-bought or homemade)
- 4 tsp granulated sugar
- Ground white pepper, to taste
- For the Sauce:
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) soy sauce
- 1 ½ tsp (7.5 ml) fish sauce
- 1 ½ tsp (7.5 ml) Golden Mountain sauce (or substitute with Maggi Seasoning)
- 2 tsp (10 ml) Thai black soy sauce
- Optional Condiment (Highly Recommended):
- Chili vinegar (prik nam som)
Instructions
- Marinate the Meat: In a bowl, mix the protein, soy sauce, and sugar. If using lean meat (like chicken breast), add 2 tsp (10 ml) water to make it juicier. Set aside.
- Prepare Noodles: If noodles are stuck together, gently peel them apart. Divide them into individual portions (225g per serving).
- Make the Sauce: Combine all sauce ingredients in a small bowl and stir to mix. Divide the sauce evenly into portions, about 2 tbsp + 1 tsp (35 ml) per serving.
- Cook the Meat: Heat 1 tbsp oil in a wok or large cast iron skillet over high heat. Add the marinated meat, spreading it out into a single layer. Sear until browned on one side, then toss to cook through. Remove from the pan and set aside.
- Stir-Fry the Noodles (Cook One Portion at a Time for Best Results): In the same wok, heat 1 ½ tbsp oil over medium-high heat. Add garlic and cook until golden.
- Add 1 egg, break the yolk, and let it set halfway before scrambling.
- Add Chinese broccoli and toss to coat in the oil for about 10-15 seconds.
- Add 1 portion of rice noodles, 1 portion of sauce, and 2 tsp sugar. Increase heat to high, tossing to coat noodles evenly.
- Let the noodles sit for 15-30 seconds without stirring to char one side, then toss and let the other side char. Repeat if you want more toasting.
- Add cooked protein back into the pan (without any excess juices), tossing briefly to combine. Turn off the heat.
- Serve: Plate the noodles, wiping the pan clean with a paper towel before cooking the next serving. Garnish with ground white pepper and serve with chili vinegar on the side.
Notes
- Optional Heat: For added spice, serve with chili vinegar (prik nam som) on the side.
- Serving Suggestions: This dish is typically served with additional chili vinegar for extra flavor. You can also pair it with a side of steamed rice or fresh Thai herbs for added freshness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stir-frying
- Cuisine: Thai
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 930mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 51g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 21g
- Cholesterol: 155mg