Pad See Ew is a tasty Thai noodle dish that features wide rice noodles, Chinese broccoli, eggs and a choice of protein (chicken, tofu or shrimp) in a savory sweet soy sauce. It’s easy to make at home with simple ingredients and ready in 30 minutes!
What is Pad see ew?
Pad see ew is a Thai stir-fry that uses wide rice noodles, also known as chow fun noodles, that are cooked until slightly charred and caramelized with a sauce made of oyster sauce, soy sauce, sweet dark soy sauce and rice wine vinegar. The sauce has a balanced combination of sweet, salty and tangy flavors that complement the silky soft noodles. The dish also includes Chinese broccoli, eggs and a protein of your choice, such as crispy tofu, chicken or shrimp. Pad see ew is a satisfying and delicious meal that can be enjoyed any time of the day.
Ingredients in Pad See Ew
Here are some helpful notes on some of the key ingredients for this recipe. You can find the full ingredient list and measurements in the recipe card below.
- Fish sauce: Different brands of fish sauces have different levels of saltiness. Start with a small amount and adjust as needed.
- Soy sauce: You can use any kind of soy sauce for this recipe.
- Oyster sauce: Oyster sauce adds a rich umami flavor to the dish. It’s essential for Thai stir-fries.
- Rice wine vinegar: You can substitute it with fresh lime juice or apple cider vinegar if you don’t have it.
- Sweet dark soy sauce: This is a thick and sweet soy sauce that adds a smoky taste and a dark color to the noodles. You can find it at Asian grocery stores or online.
- Chinese broccoli: This is a leafy green vegetable with thick stems that has a slightly bitter taste. You can substitute it with regular broccoli or broccolini if you can’t find it.
- Garlic: Use fresh garlic cloves and chop them finely for the best flavor.
- Flat wide rice noodles: These are fresh rice noodles that come in a large sheet folded up in a packet. You can also use dried wide rice noodles if you can’t find fresh ones. See the picture below for reference.
- Protein: You can use crispy tofu, chicken or shrimp for this recipe. To make crispy tofu, follow this recipe.
- Eggs: Whisk them lightly before adding them to the stir-fry.
- White pepper: White pepper adds a distinctive peppery flavor to the dish. You can use black pepper if you don’t have white pepper.
- Sugar: You can use brown sugar, honey, agave or any natural sweetener of your choice.
How to make Pad see ew
Follow these simple steps to make this delicious dish:
- Cook the protein: Prepare the protein according to your preference. If using crispy tofu, follow this recipe. If using chicken or shrimp, slice them thinly and season with salt and pepper.
- Prep the noodles and Chinese broccoli: Cut the Chinese broccoli stems into thin 2-3 inch pieces and separate them from the leaves. Cut the leaves into 4 inch pieces. Cut the noodle sheet into smaller 2×4 inch pieces. If the noodles are hard, microwave them for 2 minutes until soft, then separate them gently with your fingers.
- Make the stir-fry sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the fish sauce, soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice wine vinegar, sweet dark soy sauce, sugar and white pepper. Set aside until ready to use.
- Stir-fry: Heat a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil and garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the protein and stir-fry for 5 minutes until cooked through. Transfer to a plate and keep warm. In the same wok, add more oil and eggs and scramble them lightly. Add the Chinese broccoli stems and stir-fry for 2 minutes until crisp-tender. Add the noodles and sauce and toss well to coat everything evenly. Cook for 5 minutes until the noodles are slightly charred and caramelized, stirring occasionally. Add the Chinese broccoli leaves and cooked protein and toss to combine everything well.
- Serve: Divide the pad see ew among four plates or bowls. Sprinkle with crushed peanuts if desired and serve with lime wedges for squeezing over.
Enjoy your homemade pad see ew! 😋
