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Pad Thai

Classic Pad Thai

Sweet, sour, and fast for a weeknight win

Total
28 min
Hands-on
20 min
Serves
2
Level
Medium
Cuisine
Thai
Meal
Dinner

A quick and authentic stir-fry that brings together tamarind, fish sauce, and rice noodles in under half an hour.

Shopping list

  • 250 g rice noodles
  • 2 large eggs
  • 200 g firm tofu
  • 150 g small shrimp
  • 4 green onion stalks
  • 1 whole lime
  • 4 tbsp roasted peanuts
  • 3 tbsp fish sauce
  • 2 tbsp tamarind paste
  • 2 tbsp palm sugar
  • 200 ml warm water

Ingredients

  • 250 g Rice noodles
  • 2 large Eggs
  • 200 g Tofu firm
  • 150 g Shrimp small
  • 4 stalks Green onions thinly sliced
  • 1 whole Limes quartered
  • 4 tbsp Peanuts toasted and crushed
  • 3 tbsp Fish sauce
  • 2 tbsp Tamarind paste
  • 2 tbsp Palm sugar grated
  • 200 ml Water warm

Method

  1. Soak the rice noodles in warm water for 10 minutes until they are flexible but not fully cooked, then drain them.

    10 min
  2. Mix the tamarind paste, fish sauce, and palm sugar with the warm water in a small bowl, stirring until the sugar is dissolved.

    Tip Taste the sauce; it should be sweet, sour, and salty.

    5 min
  3. Beat the eggs in a separate bowl. Cut the firm tofu into thin slabs and slice the green onions on a bias.

    2 min
  4. Heat a wok over high heat and add a splash of oil, swirling it to coat the surface.

    Tip The wok must be smoking before you add the ingredients.

    1 min
  5. Add the shrimp and tofu to the hot wok, toss for 1-2 minutes until the shrimp are opaque, then push to the side and scramble the eggs.

    2 min
  6. Pour the eggs around the sides of the wok, letting them set for 20 seconds, then break into small ribbons with tongs.

    1 min
  7. Add the noodles to the center of the wok, tucking the protein underneath. Sprinkle over half of the tamarind sauce.

    Tip Use tongs to toss and separate the noodles gently.

    2 min
  8. Toss the noodles on high heat for 2-3 minutes until coated, adding the remaining sauce as needed. Finish with green onions.

    Tip Keep the heat high to dry the noodles out slightly.

    3 min

Chef's tips

  • Serve immediately with lime wedges and crushed peanuts on the side.
  • Do not wash the noodles with cold water before frying, as this can make them sticky.
  • The sauce should sizzle aggressively when it hits the pan.

Swap it

Chicken
Swap the shrimp for thinly sliced chicken breast.
Vegetarian
Omit the shrimp and use extra tofu and a handful of bean sprouts.
Noodles
Use medium-width egg noodles for a softer, chewier texture.