How to Make the Perfect Authentic Pad Thai
Thai · Medium · 30 min · 2 servings
A classic Thai stir fried noodle dish with shrimp, egg, and crunchy peanuts in a tangy tamarind sauce. Quick to cook but packed with bold umami flavors.
Why this recipe works
This Authentic Pad Thai recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 30 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 610 calories with 34g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 10 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 200 g flat rice noodles
- 200 g medium shrimp peeled and deveined
- 3 large eggs
- 3 tbsp tamarind paste
- 2 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tbsp palm sugar or brown sugar
- 3 stalks green onions sliced
- 50 g dry roasted peanuts roughly chopped
- 2 tbsp neutral high heat oil
- 1 cup bean sprouts
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Soak the Noodles
Soak rice noodles in room temperature water for 30 minutes until pliable but still slightly firm. Do not use boiling water or the noodles will become mushy during stir frying. Drain and set aside.
Step 2: Mix the Sauce
Whisk together tamarind paste, fish sauce, and palm sugar in a small bowl until the sugar dissolves. Taste and adjust the balance of sour, salty, and sweet to your preference. Set aside.
Step 3: Cook the Shrimp
Heat a wok over very high heat until smoking. Add oil and stir fry shrimp for 2 minutes until pink and cooked through. Push shrimp to the side and crack eggs into the wok. Scramble until just set.
Step 4: Stir Fry the Noodles
Add drained noodles to the wok and pour sauce over everything. Toss constantly using tongs for 2 to 3 minutes until noodles absorb the sauce and develop slight caramelization. Add a splash of water if noodles stick.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
Remove from heat and toss in half the green onions and half the bean sprouts. Divide between plates and top with remaining bean sprouts, peanuts, and green onions. Serve with lime wedges and chili flakes.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- shrimp → firm tofu pressed and cubed for a vegetarian version
- fish sauce → soy sauce or tamari for a vegan alternative
- tamarind paste → lime juice mixed with a small amount of worcestershire sauce
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Using boiling water to soak noodles which makes them too soft and causes them to break during stir frying
- Cooking on low heat instead of very high heat which steams rather than stir fries the noodles
- Overcrowding the wok which drops the temperature and results in soggy noodles
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 610 calories, 34g protein, 72g carbs, 18g fat, 3g fiber.
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