20-Minute Chicken Pad See Ew Recipe

Chicken Pad See Ew was the noodle dish I grew up eating on the streets of Bangkok. Vendors would stir-fry wide rice noodles over blazing-hot woks, creating that signature smoky aroma and lightly charred noodles that make Pad See Ew so irresistible.

Today, I make a quick 20-minute version at home that my family can’t get enough of. It has everything I love about the street food version—tender chicken, chewy rice noodles, Chinese broccoli, and a rich, sweet-savory sauce that coats every bite.

If you’ve ever wondered why your Pad See Ew doesn’t taste quite like the version from your favorite Thai restaurant, the secret isn’t complicated. It’s all about properly preparing the noodles, cooking over high heat, and giving the noodles enough time to develop that signature char.

This easy Chicken Pad See Ew recipe shows you exactly how to recreate those restaurant flavors at home using simple ingredients and beginner-friendly techniques.

What Is Pad See Ew?

Pad See Ew is one of Thailand’s most popular noodle dishes.

In Thai, “Pad” means stir-fried, and “See Ew” refers to soy sauce. The dish is traditionally made with wide rice noodles, Chinese broccoli, eggs, and a savory soy-based sauce.

Unlike many Thai dishes that are known for their heat, Pad See Ew is typically mild, slightly sweet, savory, and deeply comforting.

It’s commonly sold by street vendors throughout Thailand and is considered one of the country’s most beloved noodle dishes.

Pad See Ew vs. Drunken Noodles

Pad See Ew and Drunken Noodles (Pad Kee Mao) are often confused because both use wide rice noodles, but they’re actually very different dishes.

Pad See Ew features a soy sauce-based flavor profile with a mild sweetness and smoky char from the wok.

Drunken Noodles are typically spicier and include fresh Thai basil, chilies, and stronger aromatic flavors.

If you prefer a milder noodle dish with rich, savory flavors, Pad See Ew is usually the better choice.

Why Restaurant Pad See Ew Tastes Better

Ever wonder why restaurant Pad See Ew tastes so good? It’s not just about the ingredients—the cooking technique makes a big difference!

Restaurants often use very high heat to cook the noodles quickly, allowing them to develop a little char without becoming soggy. Properly preparing the noodles and avoiding too much stirring also help them stay intact and develop that delicious caramelized flavor.

Another important element is wok hei, the subtle smoky aroma that comes from cooking in a very hot wok.

The good news is that you can use many of these same techniques at home to make delicious Pad See Ew!

The Secret to Smoky Pad See Ew

One of the biggest secrets to restaurant-style Pad See Ew is resisting the urge to constantly stir the noodles.

After tossing the noodles with the sauce, let them sit undisturbed in the wok for about 15 seconds before stirring again.

This brief contact with the hot surface allows the sauce to caramelize slightly and creates the signature smoky flavor and lightly charred noodles that make Pad See Ew so delicious.

What Noodles Are Used for Pad See Ew?

Traditional Pad See Ew is made with fresh wide rice noodles.

However, dried rice noodles are often easier to find and work beautifully when prepared properly.

The key is to cook them until just softened but still slightly undercooked. They’ll finish cooking in the wok while absorbing the sauce.

Overcooked noodles can quickly become mushy during stir-frying.

Chinese Broccoli vs. Regular Broccoli

Chinese broccoli, also known as Gai Lan, is traditionally used in Pad See Ew. It has thick stems, tender leafy greens, and a slightly bitter flavor that balances the rich, savory sauce.

If you can’t find Chinese broccoli, regular broccoli, broccolini, bok choy, or green cabbage are all good substitutes. Each has a slightly different flavor and texture, but they’ll still make a delicious stir-fry!

Let’s Talk Ingredients

Chicken: Chicken breast stays tender and juicy thanks to a simple velveting marinade with soy sauce, cornstarch, and oil.

Wide rice noodles: Give Pad See Ew its signature soft, chewy texture.

Chinese broccoli (Gai Lan): Adds freshness, a pleasant bite, and a slight bitterness that balances the sauce.

Fish sauce: Adds a deep, savory umami flavor that’s common in Thai cooking.

Dark soy sauce: Gives the noodles their signature dark color and rich, savory flavor.

Step-by-Step: Let’s Cook

Serves: 2
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes

Step 1: Marinate the chicken

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In a bowl, add the sliced chicken and sprinkle in the salt. Mix until slightly tacky.

Add the white pepper, soy sauce, and dark soy sauce. Mix well.

In a small bowl, combine the cornstarch and water to make a slurry. Add the slurry to the chicken and mix until evenly coated. Add the cooking oil and mix again to seal in the marinade.

Tip: Velveting the chicken helps keep it juicy and tender during stir-frying.

Step 2: Prepare the vegetables

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Cut the Chinese broccoli into bite-sized pieces and mince the garlic.

Tip: Having all the ingredients prepared before turning on the heat makes stir-frying much easier since everything cooks quickly.

Step 3: Make the sauce

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In a bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce, sugar, and water until combined.

Tip: Mixing the sauce ahead of time ensures the seasonings are evenly distributed and prevents overcooking while measuring ingredients during stir-frying.

Step 4: Cook the noodles

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In a pot over high heat, bring water to a boil.

Add the rice noodles and cook for about 3 minutes until softened but still slightly undercooked.

Transfer immediately to cold water to stop the cooking process, then drain well.

Tip: Slightly undercooking the noodles prevents them from becoming mushy during stir-frying.

Step 5: Stir-fry the chicken

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In a wok over high heat, add 1 tablespoon of cooking oil.

Add the chicken and stir-fry for about 3 minutes until fully cooked.

Remove from the wok.

Tip: Cooking the chicken separately helps keep it tender and prevents overcooking.

Step 6: Stir-fry the eggs and Chinese broccoli

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In the same wok over high heat, add 1 tablespoon of cooking oil.

Crack the eggs and stir-fry until partially set.

Add the Chinese broccoli and garlic and stir-fry for about 1 minute until fragrant.

Tip: Chinese broccoli cooks quickly and should remain slightly crisp for the best texture.

Step 7: Stir-fry the noodles and combine

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In the wok over high heat, add the remaining cooking oil.

Add the drained noodles and stir-fry until heated through.

Return the chicken, eggs, and Chinese broccoli to the wok and pour in the sauce. Toss for about 1 minute until evenly coated.

Let the noodles sit undisturbed for about 15 seconds to develop a light char before serving.

Tip: This brief pause creates the smoky restaurant-style flavor that makes Pad See Ew so special.

Common Pad See Ew Mistakes

Overcooking the noodles: They can become too soft and break apart during stir-frying.

Using low heat: Without enough heat, the noodles won’t develop that delicious caramelized flavor.

Stirring constantly: Let the noodles sit briefly in the hot wok to develop a little char.

Adding too much sauce: Excess sauce can make the noodles soggy instead of glossy.

Not draining the noodles well: Too much moisture causes the noodles to steam rather than sear.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Pad See Ew taste like?
It’s rich and savory, with a little sweetness, a hint of smokiness, and wonderfully chewy rice noodles.

Is Pad See Ew spicy?
Usually not! You can add chili flakes if you prefer a little heat.

Can I use fresh rice noodles?
Absolutely! Fresh wide rice noodles are traditional and work beautifully.

Why aren’t my noodles smoky?
Your wok may not be hot enough, or you might be stirring too often. Let the noodles sit briefly to develop some char.

Can I make Pad See Ew ahead of time?
It’s best enjoyed fresh, but you can refrigerate leftovers and reheat them the next day.

Can I use another protein?
Of course! Shrimp, beef, pork, or tofu all work well.

20-Minute Chicken Pad See Ew Recipe

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Servings 2

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

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Ingredients

  

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For the chicken and marinade

• 3/4 pound chicken breast, sliced against the grain
• Pinch of salt
• Pinch of white pepper
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil

For the sauce

• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons dark soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 cup water

For the stir-fry

• 14 ounces dried thick rice noodles
• 3 tablespoons cooking oil, separated
• 2 large eggs
• 3 stalks Chinese broccoli, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 3 cloves garlic, minced

Instructions

 

• To prepare the chicken, slice the chicken breast against the grain into ¼-inch slices. In a bowl, add the sliced chicken and sprinkle with salt, mixing until slightly tacky. Add the white pepper, soy sauce, and dark soy sauce and mix well. In a small bowl, combine the cornstarch and water to form a slurry, then mix it into the chicken. Add the cooking oil to seal in moisture and prevent sticking. Let marinate while preparing the remaining ingredients.
• To prepare the vegetables, cut the Chinese broccoli into bite-sized pieces and mince the garlic.
• To make the sauce, in a bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce, sugar, and water until combined.
• To cook the noodles, in a pot over high heat, bring water to a boil. Add the dried rice noodles and cook for about 3 minutes until softened but still slightly undercooked. Transfer immediately to cold water to stop the cooking, then drain well.
• To stir-fry the chicken, in a wok over high heat, add 1 tablespoon of cooking oil. Add the marinated chicken and stir-fry for about 3 minutes until fully cooked. Remove and set aside.
• To stir-fry the eggs and Chinese broccoli, in the same wok over high heat, add 1 tablespoon of cooking oil. Crack in the eggs and stir-fry until partially set, then push to one side. Add the Chinese broccoli and garlic and stir-fry for about 1 minute until fragrant. Remove everything and set aside.
• To stir-fry the noodles and combine, in the wok over high heat, add the remaining tablespoon of cooking oil. Add the drained noodles and stir-fry until heated through. Return the chicken, eggs, and Chinese broccoli to the wok and pour in the sauce. Toss for about 1 minute until evenly coated. Let the noodles sit undisturbed for about 15 seconds to develop a light char before serving.

Video

Notes

• Slice against the grain: Chicken breast has long muscle fibers. Cutting against the grain keeps the meat tender and juicy.
• Choose the right noodles: Thick rice noodles with a bit of starch hold together better and won’t break apart during stir-frying.
• Don’t overcook the noodles: Slightly undercooking them during boiling prevents mushy noodles later.
• High heat matters: Keep the wok hot to achieve that signature smoky flavor without steaming the noodles.
• Let it char: That final 15-second rest in the wok creates the lightly caramelized flavor that makes Pad See Ew so irresistible.

Author: CiCi Li

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Thai

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