Irresistible Pad See Ew: Thai Stir-Fried Noodles Recipe
Noodle enthusiasts adore pad see ew for its rich, comforting flavors that dance across your palate.
Thai street food culture inspired this beloved dish with its simple yet incredible combination of ingredients.
Chewy rice noodles get beautifully caramelized in a hot wok, creating those signature crispy edges we all crave.
My grandmother first taught me this recipe during a summer visit to bangkok, sharing secrets passed through generations.
Wide, silky noodles soak up savory sauce like little flavor sponges, promising a meal that feels both nostalgic and exciting.
Each bite tells a story of traditional cooking techniques blended with modern culinary passion.
Grab chopsticks and dive into this delicious adventure that connects you directly to the heart of thai cuisine.
Common Questions About Pad See Ew (Thai Stir-Fried Noodles)
Pad See Ew stands out because of its unique dark soy sauce coating that gives the noodles a rich, slightly caramelized flavor, and its focus on creating a signature wok hei (smoky) taste through high-heat stir-frying.
Absolutely! While traditionally made with chicken or pork, you can easily substitute with beef, shrimp, or tofu to suit your preference or dietary needs.
High heat is crucial for achieving the classic Thai stir-fry technique called wok hei, which creates those delicious slightly charred edges on the noodles and helps prevent them from becoming soggy.
No, Pad See Ew is not inherently spicy. It’s a savory, slightly sweet noodle dish that you can customize with chili flakes or pickled chili vinegar if you want to add some heat.
Why Pad See Ew (Thai Stir-Fried Noodles) Hits The Spot
All The Ingredients For Pad See Ew (Thai Stir-Fried Noodles)
Main Protein and Noodles:Sauce Components:Vegetables and Aromatics:Garnish and Optional Add-ins:How To Cook Pad See Ew (Thai Stir-Fried Noodles)
Step 1: Soften Noodles and Season Protein
Fresh or dried rice noodles work perfectly for this dish. Dried noodles need a warm water bath until they become pliable but retain a slight bite. Gently separate fresh noodles to prevent sticking. Toss your chosen protein (chicken, beef, or tofu) with a splash of soy sauce and a sprinkle of cornstarch, letting it marinate and absorb flavors for a quick 10-minute rest.
Step 2: Craft the Flavor-Packed Sauce
Combine these liquid magic makers in a small bowl:Whisk them together until the sugar dissolves, creating a sauce that will make your taste buds dance.
Step 3: Sizzle the Protein and Egg
Fire up your wok or large skillet with a glug of oil until it shimmers. Toss in the marinated protein, letting it sear and develop a gorgeous golden crust. Once cooked, transfer to a waiting plate. In the same pan, crack an egg and scramble it quickly, creating soft, billowy curds.
Step 4: Build the Noodle Symphony
Introduce minced garlic to the pan, letting its aroma bloom for half a minute. Slide in the noodles, followed by your carefully crafted sauce. Toss and turn with rapid wrist movements, ensuring every strand gets a glossy coating. Tumble in crisp Chinese broccoli, wilting it just enough to retain a tender crunch.
Step 5: Bring Everything Together
Return the cooked protein to the pan, mixing everything in a final flourish of heat and flavor. The noodles should glisten with sauce, the vegetables bright and tender.
Plate immediately and serve with optional garnishes:Enjoy your homemade street food adventure straight from the heart of Thailand!
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Pad See Ew (Thai Stir-Fried Noodles) Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 2 1x
Description
Sizzling Pad See Ew brings Bangkok street flavors directly to your kitchen with wide rice noodles dancing in a rich, caramelized sauce. Savory, smoky wok-charred edges and tender proteins create a classic Thai comfort dish you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Proteins and Noodles:
- 8 oz (226 g) chicken, beef, or shrimp, thinly sliced
- 8 oz (226 g) wide rice noodles (fresh or dried soaked per package instructions)
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
Sauces and Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons dark soy sauce (adds color & depth)
- 1 tablespoon light soy sauce (for saltiness)
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce (adds richness)
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon fish sauce (optional, for umami)
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch (for tender meat, optional)
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon white vinegar (balances flavors, optional)
- ¼ teaspoon white pepper
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup Chinese broccoli (Gai Lan), cut into 2-inch pieces (or regular broccoli, bok choy, or kale)
Instructions
- Prepare the noodles by immersing dried varieties in tepid water until they reach a pliable yet resilient texture, then thoroughly drain. For fresh noodles, delicately separate the strands to prevent sticking.
- Create a flavor-enhancing marinade for the protein by coating it with soy sauce and cornstarch, allowing the mixture to penetrate for approximately 10 minutes.
- Construct the signature sauce by blending dark and light soy sauces, oyster sauce, fish sauce, sugar, vinegar, and a whisper of white pepper in a small vessel. Set the aromatic mixture aside.
- Ignite a wok or expansive skillet over intense heat, introducing a splash of oil to create a sizzling cooking surface.
- Introduce the marinated protein, rapidly stirring until it achieves a perfectly cooked state. Transfer the protein to a temporary holding area.
- Crack an egg into the same heated cooking vessel, gently scrambling until just barely set. Nudge the egg to one side of the pan.
- Infuse the pan with minced garlic, allowing its fragrance to bloom for a brief moment.
- Cascade the prepared noodles into the pan, immediately followed by the premixed sauce. Execute rapid, precise movements to ensure complete coating.
- Incorporate Chinese broccoli, vigorously tossing for a concise 1-2 minutes until the leaves display a subtle wilting.
- Reunite the previously cooked protein with the noodle mixture, stirring comprehensively for an additional minute to marry the flavors.
- Present the dish piping hot, accompanied by optional garnishes like fiery chili flakes, zesty lime wedges, or tangy pickled chili vinegar to elevate the dining experience.
Notes
- Select wide, flat rice noodles for authentic texture and traditional street food experience.
- Opt for high heat when stir-frying to achieve that signature wok-charred flavor called “wok hei”.
- Prep all ingredients beforehand since this dish cooks extremely quickly, typically under 5 minutes.
- Keep noodles slightly firm during initial soaking to prevent mushiness during final stir-frying.
- Use a carbon steel or cast-iron wok for best heat distribution and authentic caramelization.
- Substitute protein with tofu or tempeh for vegetarian/vegan versions without compromising flavor.
- Reduce sugar content for healthier option or replace with coconut sugar for lower glycemic impact.
- Ensure high heat prevents noodles from sticking and creates delicious crispy edges.
- Add extra vegetables like bell peppers or bean sprouts for increased nutrition and personal variation.
- Pat meat and vegetables completely dry before cooking to guarantee proper caramelization and prevent steaming.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Stir-Frying
- Cuisine: Thai
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 70 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
James Mitchell
Founder & Recipe Developer
Expertise
Recipe Creation and Testing, Fusion Cuisine, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education
Education
Kendall College, Chicago, IL
The Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, NY
James Mitchell is the founder and fearless flavor explorer at Cooking Crusade. With a degree in Culinary Arts from Kendall College and advanced training in global gastronomy from The Culinary Institute of America, James has spent over a decade perfecting the art of recipe creation.
His background includes fine dining, private cheffing, and food styling, but his true joy comes from turning big ideas into doable recipes for home cooks. Every dish he shares is a mix of creativity, culture, and a little kitchen magic, built to bring excitement back to everyday meals.