The Authentic Pad See Ew: A Homestyle Thai Noodle Recipe

My recent trip to Bangkok sparked a deep love for pad see ew, a comforting street food that blends silky rice noodles with savory sauces.

Wandering through bustling markets, I watched skilled chefs toss ingredients with lightning speed in sizzling woks.

Tender chicken, crisp vegetables, and rich dark soy create a harmonious dance of flavors that feels like a warm culinary embrace.

Authentic Thai cooking might seem intimidating, but this recipe breaks down each step into simple, approachable moves.

Learning to balance sweet, salty, and umami notes becomes an adventure in your kitchen.

Mastering this classic dish connects you to generations of Thai home cooks who have perfected these techniques.

You will fall in love with how quickly this meal comes together, promising a delicious journey into southeast asian cuisine.

Why You’ll Love Pad See Ew Thai Stir-Fried Noodles

• Packed with protein from chicken or tofu, and loaded with colorful vegetables like broccoli and carrots, this recipe offers a wholesome and satisfying meal.
• Easily adapt the recipe to suit different dietary preferences by swapping protein sources or adjusting vegetable choices, ensuring everyone at the table enjoys their meal.
• Achieve genuine Thai street food taste with a simple sauce blend of low-sodium and dark soy sauces, creating a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors.

Ingredients for Delicious Pad See Ew at Home

• Chicken, Tofu: Provides the primary protein source for the dish, offering a hearty and satisfying element to the stir-fry.

• Wide Rice Noodles: Forms the base of the dish, creating a classic Thai stir-fry texture and absorbing the flavorful sauce.

• Broccoli Florets, Carrots: Add vibrant color, nutritional value, and a crisp texture to the stir-fry.

• Low-Sodium Soy Sauce, Dark Soy Sauce, Brown Sugar: Creates a balanced and rich sauce that coats the noodles and adds depth of flavor to the entire dish.

• Cooking Oil: Helps to saute the proteins and vegetables, ensuring even cooking and preventing sticking.

• Green Onions: Provides a fresh, mild onion flavor and adds a pop of color to the finished dish.

Quick Steps to Thai Stir-Fried Pad See Ew

Step 1: Prep Noodle Base

Grab wide rice noodles and cook them in boiling water following package directions.

Ensure they’re perfectly al dente with a slight bite.

Drain thoroughly and set aside, allowing them to rest while you prepare other ingredients.

Step 2: Create Flavor-Packed Sauce

• Low-sodium soy sauce
• Dark soy sauce
• Brown sugar

Whisk ingredients until sugar dissolves completely, creating a rich, glossy sauce that will coat the noodles beautifully.

Step 3: Sizzle Protein

Heat oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat.

Add chicken or tofu, cooking until golden brown and fully cooked through.

The protein should develop a crispy exterior while staying tender inside.

Step 4: Add Colorful Vegetables

• Broccoli florets
• Julienned carrots

Stir-fry the vegetables for about three minutes.

They should remain vibrant and crisp, maintaining their nutritional value and adding delightful texture to the dish.

Step 5: Bring Everything Together

Drop the cooked noodles into the wok.

Pour the prepared sauce over the ingredients.

Gently toss everything, ensuring each noodle gets coated with the savory sauce.

The goal is to create a harmonious blend of flavors and textures.

Step 6: Serve and Garnish

Transfer the steaming Pad See Ew to serving plates.

Sprinkle chopped green onions on top for a fresh, zesty finish.

Serve immediately while hot and enjoy the authentic Thai street food experience right at home.

Helpful Tips for Pad See Ew Perfection

• Rinse noodles in cold water after cooking to prevent sticking and maintain a silky texture.
• Use high heat and keep ingredients moving to achieve that classic Thai stir-fry char and prevent burning.
• Replace chicken with tofu, shrimp, or beef for a versatile dish that suits different dietary preferences.
• Adjust soy sauce and brown sugar ratios to control saltiness and sweetness according to your taste.
• Experiment with seasonal vegetables like bell peppers or snap peas to add extra nutrition and color.

How to Store and Reheat Thai Noodles Like a Pro

• Store leftover pad see ew in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cool the dish completely before sealing to prevent moisture buildup.
• Sprinkle a few drops of water over the noodles to prevent drying. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each cycle until thoroughly warm.
• Revive cold noodles by quickly stir-frying in a hot wok or skillet with a splash of soy sauce. This method helps restore the original texture and brings back the dish's vibrant flavors.
• Skip freezing this dish, as rice noodles tend to become mushy and lose their delicate texture when thawed and reheated.

What Goes Best with Pad See Ew for a Full Meal

• Pair with Crisp Thai Beer: Select a light, refreshing Thai lager like Singha or Chang to cut through the rich, savory noodle dish and cleanse the palate with its crisp carbonation.
• Complement with Jasmine Rice Side: Add a small portion of steamed jasmine rice alongside the pad see ew to soak up extra sauce and provide a neutral, fragrant base that enhances the stir-fry's bold flavors.
• Balance with Cucumber Salad: Create a quick cucumber salad dressed with rice vinegar, chili, and a touch of sugar to provide a cool, tangy contrast to the warm, umami-packed noodles, adding refreshing texture to the meal.
• Enhance with Ginger Lemonade: Craft a homemade ginger lemonade that offers a zesty, slightly spicy kick to complement the savory chicken and sweet-soy sauce, cutting through the dish's richness with bright, citrusy notes.

Pad See Ew: Ways to Mix Up the Flavors

• Vegetarian Protein Swap: Replace chicken with firm tofu or tempeh for a plant-based protein option that absorbs the savory sauce perfectly.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use gluten-free tamari instead of soy sauce and ensure rice noodles are certified gluten-free for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Substitute rice noodles with zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash strands to reduce carbohydrate content while maintaining the classic stir-fry flavor profile.
• Spicy Version: Add sriracha sauce or red pepper flakes during cooking to create a fiery kick for those who enjoy extra heat in their noodle dishes.

FAQs

• What are the key ingredients for authentic Pad See Ew?

The key ingredients include wide rice noodles, soy sauces (low-sodium and dark), chicken or tofu, broccoli, carrots, and brown sugar to create the classic Thai stir-fry flavor profile.

• Is Pad See Ew a spicy dish?

No, Pad See Ew is not typically spicy. It’s a savory, slightly sweet noodle dish with a rich umami flavor from the soy sauce combination.

• Can I make this recipe vegetarian?

Absolutely! Simply replace the chicken with tofu or add more vegetables like mushrooms or bell peppers to create a delicious vegetarian version of the dish.

• Why do I need both light and dark soy sauce?

Dark soy sauce adds deeper color and richer flavor, while light soy sauce provides saltiness. The combination creates the signature taste and appearance of authentic Pad See Ew.

Pad See Ew (Thai Stir-Fried Noodles) Recipe

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4.5 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 2 1x

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Description

Sizzling Pad See Ew brings Bangkok street flavors straight to your kitchen with wide rice noodles dancing in a savory sauce. Fragrant wok-charred edges and tender chicken create an irresistible Thai classic you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Proteins:

• 1 cup thinly sliced chicken breast or tofu (240 grams)

Vegetables:

• 1 cup broccoli florets (150 grams)
• 1 cup julienned carrots (150 grams)

Noodles and Seasonings:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) wide rice noodles
• 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons dark soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons cooking oil (for sauteing)

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Instructions

1. Prepare wide rice noodles according to package directions, ensuring they reach al dente texture. Carefully drain and reserve for later use.
2. Create a harmonious sauce by whisking low-sodium soy sauce, dark soy sauce, and brown sugar in a small mixing vessel until thoroughly integrated.
3. Warm a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat, introducing cooking oil to create a sizzling surface.
4. Introduce chicken or tofu, searing until achieving a golden-brown exterior and ensuring complete internal cooking.
5. Toss broccoli florets and julienned carrots into the pan, stir-frying for approximately 3 minutes to maintain vibrant color and crisp-tender consistency.
6. Gently fold the prepared rice noodles into the vegetable and protein mixture, carefully coating with the previously prepared sauce.
7. Continue stirring and tossing ingredients for an additional 1-2 minutes to allow flavors to meld and noodles to absorb the sauce completely.
8. Transfer the aromatic pad see ew to serving plates, garnishing with finely chopped green onions for a fresh, herbaceous finish.

Notes

• Noodle Perfection: Choose fresh wide rice noodles for the most authentic texture, avoiding dry or brittle noodles that might break during stir-frying.
• Quick Stir-Fry Technique: Ensure your wok or skillet is screaming hot before adding ingredients to achieve that signature wok hei caramelized flavor and prevent soggy noodles.
• Protein Flexibility: Swap chicken for tofu, tempeh, or shrimp to accommodate different dietary preferences and create delicious variations of this classic Thai dish.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Replace traditional soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos to make the recipe completely gluten-free without sacrificing rich umami flavor.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Thai

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2
• Calories: 460
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 850 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 61 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg