Pad See Ew
Get ready to master one of Thailand’s most beloved street food dishes! This irresistible stir-fried noodle recipe brings together chewy rice noodles, tender chicken, and Chinese broccoli in a perfectly balanced sauce that’s sweet, savory, and utterly crave-worthy.
What makes Pad See Ew truly special is the magical “wok hei” – that smoky, charred flavor you get from high-heat wok cooking. When those wide rice noodles get a chance to caramelize slightly against the hot wok, they develop an incredible depth of flavor you just can’t get any other way.
Ingredients
For the stir fry:
- 1 pound fresh wide rice noodles (or 12 ounces dried XL rice noodles)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 6 ounces boneless skinless chicken thighs, sliced crosswise
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil, divided
- 2 cups chopped Chinese broccoli
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon ground white pepper
For the sauce:
- 3 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
Steps
- Prepare noodles by separating them in cold water if fresh, or soaking in boiling water for 15 minutes if dried. Drain thoroughly.
- Combine cornstarch and soy sauce in a bowl. Add chicken, mix to coat, and marinate for 10 minutes.
- Whisk together all sauce ingredients in a small bowl until sugar dissolves.
- Heat 3 tablespoons oil in a wok over medium-high heat until smoking. Cook marinated chicken for 2 minutes per side until golden.
- Reduce heat to low, add broccoli and garlic, then gently fold in noodles.
- Pour in sauce mixture, tossing gently to coat evenly (about 1 minute).
- Push ingredients aside, add remaining oil and eggs. Scramble until just set (45 seconds), then combine with noodles.
- Season with white pepper and serve immediately.
Smart Swaps
- Use tofu instead of chicken for a vegetarian version
- Substitute shiitake mushrooms for extra umami flavor
Make It Gluten-Free
- Use tamari instead of soy sauce
- Choose gluten-free oyster sauce
Pro Tips
- Have all ingredients prepped before starting – this dish cooks fast!
- Use the highest heat your stove can manage for authentic wok hei
- Don’t overcrowd the pan – cook in batches if needed