Have you ever wondered about the best thing that Thailand has to offer? It’s not the pristine beaches or the bustling nightlife. It’s not even the restful bliss or the peace you can find in the temples. Although these things make Thailand a hard beauty to beat as compared to other countries, the best it has to offer is in a small bowl, served with a smile warmed by the heart. That’s right. I’m talking about Thailand’s simple, yet most delicious dish—the Pad Thai soup.
Pad Thai has gained international attention. You can now eat it in any part of the world. From London to New York, Australia to Japan, many are lining up and enjoying a bowl of Pad Thai. What do you expect? It’s been recognized as one of the most delicious foods on the planet. In one dish, you’d be able to taste all five different flavors at once. It’s also, surprisingly, super easy to make. This spectacular dish will leave you speechless and will give you shivers as it tickles all your senses. This makes Pad Thai phenomenal.
Onsight, a bowl of Pad Thai looks plain and simple. But there’s more to it than meets the eye. Not only is it rich in taste, but its origin is also a source of fascination as well. Here is a breakdown of its secrets, of what makes a Pad Thai dish the best noodle in the world:
A Bowl of Pad Thai
In Thailand, Pad Thai is always served with a smile. In fact, that smile guarantees that you’re about to get a bowl of happiness. Without it, some locals say they have been denied the chance to enjoy a good Pad Thai.
Pad Thai is a bowl of rice noodles, which is the base of the dish, with tofu, or meat of your choice. If it’s only made of those ingredients, what then makes it so unique? A Pad Thai has tamarind, fish sauce, garlic, dried shrimp, palm sugar, and red chili pepper. These simple ingredients make Pad Thai a bowl of five tastes—salty, sweet, sour, bitter, and umami. The moment you put that spoon of Pad Thai hot soup in your mouth, you’ll immediately have all your sensations stimulated.
The Origin of Pad Thai
Pad Thais have their humble origin back in the late 1930s when Thailand’s Minister of Defense launched a nation-wide competition for the country’s national dish. Using nothing but local ingredients and flavors, the Pad Thai entry emerged victoriously and was a symbol that would galvanize the Thailand peoples and their sense of nationalism.
With the use of sen chan rice noodles, not only was Thailand able to make something original, but it also established their sense of independence by moving away from wheat noodles, which was a famous Chinese noodle. This proved to be a bold move that would cement their sovereignty from China’s massive influence.
Furthermore, introducing Pad Thai was also a way to get Thai people off from overeating rice. If they have an alternative to rice, the rice stock can be delivered to other nations that need food assistance. That is why eating Pad Thai is patriotic.
How it Became International
It’s as if this Thai cuisine joined an international competition and belonged in the top ten. It did. It won the best noodle category in the Chowtzer Fast Feasts 2014. But it’s been really popular in the world even before that distinction. The Thai government made an effort to globalize Pad Thai. Its tourism department launched a campaign to introduce Thai cuisine all around the world.
Pad Thai brings people together. Aside from the subtle explosion of its flavors that foodies can enjoy, its history also tells you that eating it was once patriotic and gave the nation its independence. This is the reason it’s served with a smile. This is the reason why there’s more to it than meets the eye.
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FAQs
“Thipsamai Padthai Pratoopee” is the original of Padthai in Thailand. Thipsamai has started the legendary reputation since 1939. The story has begun when started selling Padthai on a boat along Phasi Charoen Canal in World War II era, then moved to the sidewalk in Bangkok with few tables near Pratoopee intersection.
Why is Pad Thai so popular in Thailand? ›
Pad Thai became popular after World War II because it was an inexpensive dish that could be made using only a handful of ingredients and could provide Thai people with plenty of nutrients. Further, during the war, there was a shortage of rice but noodles were plentiful, easy to find, and fulfilling.
What is the most popular Thai food in Thailand? ›
The Most Popular Thai Dishes
- Pad Thai. Pad Thai is perhaps the most famous of all Thai dishes, and one of the few that actually has the word 'Thai' in its name! ...
- Massaman Curry. ...
- Red Curry. ...
- Spring Rolls. ...
- Mango Sticky Rice.
Pad Thai Adaptations
But the backbone of the dish remains the same – rice noodle, eggs, tofu and dried shrimps. As for the all-important sauce, it consists of a balanced nuance of three tastes: saltiness from either fish sauce or soy sauce, sweetness from palm sugar, and sourness from tamarind juice.
Is pad thai healthy? ›
Pad thai is a nutrient-dense dish offering many nutrients and health benefits, primarily from: Flat rice noodles: They are rich in carbs, which serve as an energy source to fuel our bodies, and selenium, an essential mineral that supports the immune system.
How much is a plate of pad thai in Bangkok? ›
Prices: This restaurant is expensive for Bangkok prices, but it's in a good location, and very famous, which bumps up the cost. You'll pay around 70 THB for a plate of Pad Thai here.
What meat is usually in Pad Thai? ›
Pad Thai is a Thai noodle stir fry with a sweet-savoury-sour sauce scattered with crushed peanuts. It's made with thin, flat rice noodles, and almost always has bean sprouts, garlic chives, scrambled egg, firm tofu and a protein – the most popular being chicken or prawns/shrimp.
What is Pad Thai actually called? ›
The Pad thai was originally called "Kuai tiao pad thai" but this was later shortened to simply Pad thai. Kuai tiao (ก๋วยเตี๋ยว) is a Thai borrowing of the Teochew word guê2 diao5 (粿條), a type of thick Chinese rice noodle also known as shahe fen.
Do locals eat Pad Thai? ›
In fact, many Thais would argue that there are more beloved dishes, such as stir-fried basil pork with a fried egg over rice. Love it or hate it, Pad Thai is one of the most popular and well-known dishes in Thai cuisine. The tourists love it. A lot of locals (even if they don't always openly say so) love it.
What do Thai locals eat? ›
Famous Thai Food Locals Love to Eat in Bangkok
- Spicy shrimp soup.
- Spicy green papaya salad.
- Chicken in coconut soup.
- Red curry.
- Thai-style fried noodles.
- Fried rice.
- Stir-fried basil and pork.
- Green chicken curry.
1. Pad Thai (Stir-Fried Noodles) Thailand's noodle dishes were introduced by Chinese immigrants and arguably, Pad Thai ranks as the most celebrated all. This signature dish is a great go-to introduction to Thai food as it's not too spicy.
Is Pad Thai junk food? ›
Best: Pad Thai
This dish is a menu staple of Thai restaurants. It's made from rice noodles sauteed with spices, peanuts, egg, and bean sprouts. Get it with shrimp, chicken, or tofu for lean protein, and extra veggies for fiber and vitamins. Just watch your portion: Pad thai clocks in at 300 to 400 calories a cup.
Do restaurants put ketchup in Pad Thai? ›
Thai Food and Travel and Hot Thai Kitchen say there are times American versions of pad Thai will also use paprika to make it red in an effort to make the dish more appealing to customers, but neither ketchup nor paprika are ingredients commonly found in Thai kitchens.
Why is my Pad Thai soggy? ›
Cooking rice noodles is not actually hard, but most people misunderstand how they need to be treated.The #1 reason why your rice noodle stir fries are a soggy mess is that you're cooking them before cooking them.
What was the first restaurant to serve Pad Thai? ›
The original Pad Thai
The Lung Pha Restaurant is the birthplace of one of Thailand's favourite dishes. So, if you want to taste the original recipe, here is the place to go.
What is the original Pad Thai? ›
The combination of Chinese rice noodles and native Thai flavors used for this dish eventually paved the way to creating what we'd call 'Pad Thai' these days. The original recipes were simple: boiled rice noodles, fish sauce, shallots and chives, tamarind paste, and eggs.
Who has the first Michelin star street food in Bangkok? ›
Raan Jay Fai: The First and Only Michelin-Starred Street Food in Bangkok, Thailand (Plus a Guide For Those Allergic to Crab and Shrimp)
Who is the famous Thai street food lady? ›
Jay Fai, real name Supinya Junsuta, still cooks every single dish on her own. I was drawn to watching her at the wok. Flame raging so fiercely you could hear it. There is a rhythm to her cooking; but by no means clockwork.
