Classic Pad See Ew: A Savory Stir-Fried Noodle Dish

Pad See Ew, which means ‘stir-fried soy sauce noodles’ is a popular Thai street food that’s beloved for its unique combination of flavors and textures. This dish features wide rice noodles, Chinese broccoli, eggs, and your choice of protein smothered in a deliciously savory sauce. In this post, we’ll show you how to recreate this Thai classic in the comfort of your home.

Ingredients:

• 200g flat rice noodles (sen yai)
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 150g chicken, beef, or tofu, sliced
• 100g Chinese broccoli or regular broccoli, chopped
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 2 tablespoons dark soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon vinegar (optional)
• Ground pepper to taste
• Chili flakes (optional, for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the rice noodles according to the package instructions, being careful not to overcook them. They should be soft but still chewy. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large skillet or wok, heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil over high heat. Add the minced garlic and your choice of protein and stir-fry until cooked through. Remove from the pan and set aside.
3. In the same pan, add another tablespoon of oil and swirl to coat. Crack the eggs into the pan and scramble lightly before adding the noodles.
4. Return the cooked protein to the pan along with the chopped Chinese broccoli. Stir everything together and cook until the vegetables are tender but still crisp.
5. In a small bowl, mix together the oyster sauce, dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, sugar, and vinegar if using. Pour this mixture over the noodles in the pan and toss gently to combine everything well and make sure the noodles are evenly coated with the sauce.
6. Stir-fry for another couple of minutes, until everything is heated through. Season with ground pepper to taste.
7. Serve the Pad See Ew hot, garnished with chili flakes if desired.

Pad See Ew is best enjoyed fresh off the stove while the noodles are still warm and chewy. The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity and the balance of sweet, salty, and umami flavors. You can easily adjust the ingredients to cater to your dietary preferences or restrictions. Feel free to substitute in your favorite vegetables or make it completely vegetarian by using tofu as the protein and a vegetarian oyster sauce.

So, grab your wok and whip up this delicious street-food classic tonight – your taste buds will thank you!