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Pad Thai Recipe

Authentic Pad Thai Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Rest Time 1 hour

Ingredients

For the Pad Thai sauce

  • 5 tablespoons hot water
  • 2 tablespoons palm sugar
  • 3 tablespoons tamarind paste
  • tablespoons fish sauce
  • Pinch of salt

For the Pad Thai noodles

  • 6 ounces dried rice noodles, medium size
  • 1 large lime, cut into wedges
  • ¼ cup roasted peanuts, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons dried shrimp, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons sweet preserved daikon radish, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons shallots, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, chopped
  • ¼ cup extra-firm tofu, cut into small rectangular pieces
  • 1 cup garlic chives, cut into 2-inch pieces
  • ½ pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 3 tablespoons cooking oil separated (high-smoking-point oil)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 cups bean sprouts, separated

Instructions

  • To rehydrate the noodles, in a bowl, soak the dried rice noodles in room-temperature water for 1 hour. Drain well before cooking.
  • To prepare the ingredients, cut the lime into wedges. Chop the peanuts, dried shrimp, shallots, and garlic. Cut the tofu into small pieces and the garlic chives into 2-inch lengths.
  • To make the sauce, in a bowl, combine the hot water and palm sugar and stir until dissolved. Add the tamarind paste, fish sauce, and salt and mix well.
  • To cook the shrimp, in a wok over medium-high heat, add 1 tablespoon of cooking oil. Add the shrimp and stir-fry for about 1 to 2 minutes per side until pink. Remove and set aside.
  • To stir-fry the aromatics and tofu, in the same wok over medium heat, add 1 tablespoon of cooking oil. Add the preserved daikon radish, dried shrimp, shallots, garlic, and tofu and stir-fry for about 2 minutes until fragrant.
  • To cook the noodles, increase the heat to high and add the drained noodles along with the sauce. Stir-fry until the noodles absorb the sauce and soften, about 2 to 3 minutes.
  • To cook the eggs and combine, push the noodles to one side of the wok and add the remaining tablespoon of cooking oil. Crack in the eggs and cook for about 1 minute until partially set. Stir the eggs into the noodles, then return the shrimp to the wok. Add the garlic chives and about 1½ cups of the bean sprouts and stir-fry briefly until combined.
  • To serve, transfer to plates and top with chopped peanuts and the remaining fresh bean sprouts. Serve with lime wedges on the side.

Video

Notes

Tips & notes

  • Rehydrate noodles properly: Soaking rice noodles in room temperature water for 1 hour prevents overcooking and sticking.
  • Fresh ingredients: Use fresh shrimp and crisp vegetables for the best texture and flavor.
  • Balance flavors: Taste the sauce and adjust tamarind, sugar, or fish sauce to suit your preference.
Author: CiCi Li
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Thai