Recipes

How to Make Pad Thai

Name: How to Make Pad Thai
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 18 min
Yield: 2
Ingredients: 200 g dried flat rice noodles; 2 tbsp tamarind paste; 2 tbsp fish sauce; 1 tbsp palm sugar or brown sugar; 2 tbsp vegetable oil; 2 eggs, lightly beaten; 200 g raw prawns, peeled; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 100 g bean sprouts; 3 spring onions, sliced; 30 g roasted peanuts, crushed; Lime wedges and dried chilli flakes, to serve

⏱ 18 min 📄 Article Medium 👁 5 views

How to cook it

About this dish

When it comes to make pad thai, pad Thai is Thailand's most famous noodle dish — a harmonious balance of sweet, sour, salty, and umami achieved through tamarind paste, fish sauce, and palm sugar tossed with rice noodles in a searing hot wok. It was popularised nationally in the 1930s and remains the dish most visitors associate with Thai cuisine.

Authentic pad thai demands high heat and quick cooking, so preparation is essential: have every ingredient measured and within arm's reach before you light the stove. The result is a plate of noodles that is slightly sticky, deeply savoury, and impossible to stop eating.

Recipe

🍽 Serves 2 ⏱ Prep 20 min 🔥 Cook 10 min

Ingredients

200 g dried flat rice noodles
2 tbsp tamarind paste
2 tbsp fish sauce
1 tbsp palm sugar or brown sugar
2 tbsp vegetable oil
2 eggs, lightly beaten
200 g raw prawns, peeled
2 garlic cloves, minced
100 g bean sprouts
3 spring onions, sliced
30 g roasted peanuts, crushed
Lime wedges and dried chilli flakes, to serve

Step-by-step

💡 Soak rice noodles in room-temperature water for 30 minutes until pliable — they finish cooking in the wok.

Prepare the noodles and sauce

Soak the rice noodles in warm water for 20–30 minutes until flexible but not fully soft. Mix the tamarind, fish sauce, and palm sugar in a small bowl to form the pad thai sauce. Lay out everything you need within arm's reach and read the full sequence once before starting make pad thai — missing a single tool mid-task is the main reason simple jobs overrun their time estimate. Note what worked in a phone memo so you can repeat the process faster next time.

Scramble the eggs

Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a wok over high heat. Pour in the beaten eggs and scramble quickly until just set. Push to one side of the wok. Work steadily through this part of make pad thai, pausing to double-check your work against the goal before moving on — most mistakes are caught when you slow down at transitions between stages. Note what worked in a phone memo so you can repeat the process faster next time.

Cook prawns and garlic

Add the remaining oil, then the garlic and prawns. Stir-fry for 2 minutes until the prawns turn pink. Preheat equipment fully and use a food thermometer for meat and reheated dishes — visual cues alone are unreliable, and the FSA recommends core temperatures above 70 °C for two minutes when reheating. Note what worked in a phone memo so you can repeat the process faster next time.

Stir-fry the noodles

Add the drained noodles and pour the sauce over the top. Toss everything together over high heat for 2–3 minutes until the noodles are tender and coated. Add bean sprouts and spring onions, tossing briefly.

Serve with garnishes

Divide between plates and top with crushed peanuts. Serve immediately with lime wedges and chilli flakes on the side. Work steadily through this part of make pad thai, pausing to double-check your work against the goal before moving on — most mistakes are caught when you slow down at transitions between stages. Note what worked in a phone memo so you can repeat the process faster next time.

Sources and further reading

Facts, limits, and safety notes in this guide are cross-checked against the references below. Laws, fees, and product guidance change — always confirm details for your region before acting.

Background concepts and terminology

Wikipedia — Make pad thai

🔧 Troubleshooting

The noodles are too sticky and clump together.

Make sure to rinse the noodles thoroughly in cold water after cooking to remove excess starch. Additionally, add a bit of oil to the noodles after rinsing to help separate them.

The Pad Thai lacks flavor.

Ensure you are using enough tamarind paste and fish sauce, as these are key flavor components. You can also adjust the seasoning by adding more lime juice or sugar to balance the flavors.

❓ FAQs

What can I substitute for tamarind paste?

A mix of lime juice and a little brown sugar approximates tamarind's sour-sweet profile, though the flavour will differ. Look for tamarind in Asian supermarkets.

Can I make pad thai without prawns?

Tofu, chicken, or extra vegetables make excellent alternatives. Adjust cooking time so your chosen protein is fully cooked before adding noodles.

What type of noodles should I use for pad thai?

Use flat rice noodles, typically labeled as 'pad thai noodles' or 'rice stick noodles.' They come in various widths, but medium or large sizes work best for this dish.

Can I make pad thai ahead of time?

While pad thai is best enjoyed fresh, you can prepare the sauce and cook the proteins in advance. Store them separately in the refrigerator and combine them with freshly cooked noodles when ready to serve.

Is pad thai gluten-free?

Yes, pad thai can be gluten-free if you use rice noodles and ensure that the sauces (like soy sauce) are gluten-free. Always check labels to confirm.

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Guide by Elena Rossi

Chef and recipe developer. Trained in Rome and London kitchens — now focuses on teaching home cooks measurement, prep systems, and weeknight meal planning.

How to Make Pad Thai

How to cook it

About this dish