Thai food for newbies: Pad Thai

Pad Thai or stir-fried rice noodle with eggs is one of the most famous Thai dishes known among foreigners. With its easy-going look and friendly taste (especially for Westerners who are not so familiar with spiciness), this fried noodle has won its place in many Thai restaurants across the world.

Pad Thai originated from Chinese stir fried noodle. However, it isn’t just a Chinese noodle as it has transformed through time and adapted to match Thai’s tongue. This dish has become famous since General P. Piboonsongkram era. During that time rice, which is the major food for Thais, was scarce so the government encouraged people to eat more noodle and, boom!, Pad Thai was born.

Pad Thai

Rich in fiber, this stir-fried rice noodle is a good source of protein. Just see the ingredients‘ list – which include rice noodle, eggs, tofu, grind peanut, fresh shrimp or prawn and relish with tamarind sauce, chilli and fresh-squeezed lime.

What Pad Thai is made of

This menu can also be adapted for those who are vegetarian. All you will have to do is remove the shrimp or prawn from the ingredient’s list then you will get one delightful stir-fried rice noodle. If you are a strict vegan, Pad Thai without an egg is still delicious.

 Why should I try?

• The sweet and sour taste of tamarind sauce will surely please you.
• It is healthy with good protein from eggs, tofu, peanut and shrimp and good fiber from bean sprout, shallot and garlic.

How to eat?

• Pad Thai has to be eaten with fresh spring onion and sprout because these two veggies will help freshen your mouth from the stir-fried noodle that might be a bit oily.
• You can add fresh lime and grind peanut as much as you want.

Where can you find one?

• Most of Thai restaurants abroad do serve this dish.
• In Thailand as well you can find Pad Thai in most of Thai standard restaurants (you know those with air-conditioning and close doors). Although the good one is never available in those restaurants!

After a main dish, you might want some snack. Check out this menu, Poh Pia.