Pad Thai with shrimp: The National Dish of Thailand. The Traditional Recipe. Cooking Secret.

tofu

🥗Healthier: tempeh

💰Cheaper: cottage cheese

Tempeh is more nutritious, while cottage cheese is budget-friendly.

shrimp

🥗Healthier: chicken breast

💰Cheaper: canned tuna

Chicken breast is leaner, and canned tuna is often cheaper.

fish sauce

🥗Healthier: soy sauce

💰Cheaper: salt

Soy sauce is lower in calories, while salt is a budget option.

Soak 1 pound of fresh rice noodles in water for 2 hours, then drain briefly.

Soak 3 tbsp of small dried shrimp in water to rehydrate them.

Slice 2 ounces of salted radish into pieces or filaments.

Cut 1/2 pound of pressed tofu into small cubes.

Slice 4 cloves of garlic and cut 4 ounces of garlic leaves into 1.5-inch sections.

Prepare the shrimp by cutting along the back and removing the intestinal vein if necessary.

Prepare 4 tbsp of tamarind juice, 3 ounces of palm sugar, and crush 4 tbsp of roasted peanuts.

Break 3 eggs into a bowl and squeeze half a lime, cutting the other half into pieces.

In a small saucepan, combine palm sugar, 2 tbsp of sugar, tamarind juice, 1 tbsp of lime juice, and 6 tbsp of fish sauce. Heat on low, stirring until the sugars melt and combine, about 2 minutes and 30 seconds. Set aside.

In a pan heated over high heat, add 3 tbsp of vegetable oil. Once hot, add the shrimp and 1/4 tsp of salt, cooking for 1 minute. Remove shrimp and set aside, leaving the oil in the pan.

Add 2 tbsp of vegetable oil to the same pan, then add the sliced shallots and stir for 1 minute and 30 seconds. Add chopped garlic and stir for 20 seconds before adding tofu, rehydrated shrimp, and salted radish. Stir occasionally for 3 minutes to intensify flavors.

Turn heat to medium and push ingredients to one side of the pan. Pour the eggs into the free space and scramble until cooked, then mix with the other ingredients.

Add the drained rice noodles and half of the sauce, turning the heat to high. Mix for 5 minutes, allowing the noodles to cook with the sauce.

Add 1 tbsp of vegetable oil to enhance flavor and texture, allowing the noodles to become slightly grilled.

Add the cooked shrimp and the remaining sauce, mixing for 1 minute to coat all ingredients.

Finally, add two-thirds of the crushed peanuts, bean sprouts, and garlic leaves, mixing briefly to incorporate.

Serve on plates, garnishing with remaining peanuts, fresh bean sprouts, garlic leaves, and a piece of lime. Sprinkle with chili flakes and enjoy.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens