Damien was in the kitchen with me today and we whipped up a traditional Thai street food dish, Pad See Ew, which basically means "stir-fried noodles." I cannot begin to tell you how delish this is!
This is a Chinese-influenced stir-fried rice noodle recipe that is very popular in Thailand. I couldn't get enough of this dish when we were in Bangkok!
Pad See Ew is typically prepared with wide, flat rice noodles but they can be difficult to find and are usually only sold fresh. So, we made them with dried rice linguini noodles.
Other main ingredients include oyster sauce, black soy sauce (found in most Asian markets, but can be substituted with regular soy sauce), fish sauce, garlic, Chinese broccoli, egg, and always a protein. We used flank steak in this recipe, but you can substitute the meat with pork, chicken, tofu, or seafood. Nom nom, good!
What's the difference between Chinese broccoli and regular broccoli?
- Chinese broccoli is a leafy green vegetable closely related to thick-stemmed broccoli, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts. It has flat leaves, thick stems, and teeny tiny florets. The leaves of Chinese broccoli don't wilt quickly like spinach (more like bok choy), and maintain their crispiness when cooked.
- Chinese broccoli, versus regular broccoli, has a slightly bitter and earthy taste, and is best after a quick steam or sauté, or in a stir-fry. It's a bit tough to find Chinese broccoli in your local grocery store, so check your local Asian market, which is more likely to carry it.
Try to pick Chinese broccoli with dark-stemmed leaves for freshness. You can always substitute this with bok choy or kale.
You will need to trim and remove the stems of the Chinese broccoli and slice the stems thinly before stir-frying. Chop the leaves before stir-frying.
We used flank steak for this Pad See Ew recipe, but you can use any protein: pork, chicken, tofu, or seafood!
We used linguine-sized rice noodles in this Pad See Ew because they hold up well when stir-frying.
What kind of rice noodles should you use for Pad See Ew?
- Pad See Ew is typically prepared with wide, flat rice noodles but they can be difficult to find and are usually only sold fresh. When I was shopping for ingredients at my Asian market for this recipe the only wide noodles I could find were in the refrigerated section. I was hesitant to buy them knowing I might not make this dish within a few days. So, I opted for the dried rice noodles instead.
- I chose linguine-sized rice noodles that hold up well in this dish, especially because you are frying the noodles and don't want them to fall apart. These noodles store well in your pantry for quite a while so you'll have them for your next Asian dish!
You will stir-fry the Chinese broccoli stems first because they take longer to cook. The sauce in this dish is killer!
Look at those noodles! This Pad See Ew is extremely tasty, and so simple to make! Not only is this an elegant dish, but it's a great one that the entire family will enjoy!
TIPS & TRICKS:
- I would definitely get the dried rice noodles versus fresh. It's much easier to find. But if you can't find the wide noodles, please feel free to buy vermicelli or another size. It will taste just as good!
- You can use bok choy as a substitute for the Chinese broccoli. I love the taste of Chinese broccoli but I know it's not readily available.
- If you can’t find black soy sauce, use tamari or regular soy sauce instead.
WANT MORE?
If you like this recipe, you’re going to love my Thai Basil Chicken recipe! Tender chicken stir-fried in heaps of garlic and Thai basil.
Easy Thai Pad See Ew (Stir Fried Noodles)
This popular Thai street food, Pad See Ew (Stir Fried Noodles), is so easy to prepare! The Chinese broccoli and sweet and salty sauce puts this dish over the top!
- Total Time: 25 min
- Yield: 4-6 1x
Ingredients
- 1 pound flank steak, thinly sliced
- 7-ounce package dried wide rice noodles
- 2 bunches Chinese broccoli
- 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- 2 tablespoons canola oil, divided
For the sauce:
- 2 tablespoons black soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 teaspoon fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- ⅛ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
Instructions
- Heat a large wok with 1 tablespoon of the canola oil on medium-high heat. Sear the flank steak on both sides, about 3 minutes. Remove from the wok and set aside. Wipe out the wok.
- Cook the rice noodles according to package directions. Drain and run cold water over the noodles so they don’t stick.
- Meanwhile, make the sauce: Place all of the sauce ingredients in a small bowl and whisk until well-combined. Set aside.
- Add the rest of the oil to the wok over medium-high heat. Stir-fry the Chinese broccoli stems for about 3 to 5 minutes, until tender. Add the garlic to the wok and stir-fry another minute. Add in the noodles and Chinese broccoli leaves and stir-fry about 5 minutes. Add ¾ of the sauce over the noodle mixture and continue to cook another 3 to 5 minutes until the noodles absorb the liquid.
- Push the noodle mixture to the side and add in the eggs, scrambling until done. Then combine the eggs with the noodle mixture. Stir in the meat. Taste for seasoning and add in the rest of the sauce if needed.
Notes
- I would definitely get the dried rice noodles versus fresh. It's much easier to find. But if you can't find the wide noodles, please feel free to buy vermicelli or another size. It will taste just as good!
- You can use bok choy as a substitute for the Chinese broccoli.
- If you can't find black soy sauce, use tamari or regular soy sauce instead.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 15 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stove-top
- Cuisine: Thai
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 317
- Sugar: 2.9 g
- Sodium: 653.7 mg
- Fat: 10.4 g
- Carbohydrates: 32.2 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 107.3 mg
Dimitri Komarov says
I absolutely loved this. This looks so delicious and tasty. I can't wait to try it out when I have had a long tiring day at work.
Asian Caucasian says
Thanks, Dimitri! I could not wait to make this when I returned home from Thailand a few years ago. Now I miss being there!
lori says
For me, the fresh noodles are a must in Phad See Ew. The thick noodle soaks up a lot of the sauce and the texture of the fresh noodle lends a unique quality to the dish. I also use a very high temp in my wok when making the sauce, it will carmelize and that authentic Phad See Ew flavor comes alive! I can’t pick a favorite Thai dish, they’re all so good. Phad See Ew is definitely at the top of my list :-j
Asian Caucasian says
It's sometimes difficult to find the fresh noodles for the Pad See Ew. I do love this dish so much and was craving it when I returned from Thailand a few years ago!
Maman de sara says
That looks easy to make and absolutely delicious!
Kari Heron says
THIS looks sooo darn tasty and I absolutely LOVE Thai food! I wouldn't mind living in Thalland for two years! Yum!
Asian Caucasian says
You'd have to drag me home if I lived there. I went crazy for all of that incredible Thai food! I'm all in too!
Krista says
I love how easy this recipe is! I'm a sucker for Chinese noodle dishes ..this one is speaking my language! Thanks for an amazing recipe!
Asian Caucasian says
Me too! I'm a sucker for all Thai food! You're very welcome for the recipe, hope you will try this one!
Mimi says
I can't get enough of any dish that has roots in Thailand 🙂 Every time I try something Thai I fly to the moon and back - the flavors are always incredible! I wonder if I should make these noodles this weekend.... Thank you!
Asian Caucasian says
Yesss! You will love this Thai Pad See Ew! It was one of my favorite dishes in Thailand. Those noodles have so much flavor, and I happen to love Chinese broccoli!
April says
I can't tell you enough how much I love Thai flavors! Every time I see a dish that is Thai, I go all in becuase I know it is going to be fantastic! These noodles are not an exception. My mouth waters just from looking at the images, and I can't wait to make it myself now!
Asian Caucasian says
Thanks, April! These noodles just soak up all of those Thai flavors in the Pad See Ew. Incredibly yummy! Hope you enjoy it!
Amanda says
I love that this recipe uses Chinese broccoli. It's always fun to play with something a bit different. So good. Thanks for a great recipe!
Asian Caucasian says
Thanks, Amanda! Hope you'll try this one because there are no words for how good this was! And that Chinese broccoli is delish!!
Caroline says
I'm pretty sure I remember having this in Bangkok as well, but even if I didn't it looks delicious. Love easy flavorful dishes like this. Yum!
Asian Caucasian says
I bet you did! Now you can recreate this in your own kitchen. It brought back so many great memories from Bangkok!
Byron Thomas says
I could not have found this recipe at a better time! I just got back from my local Asian market with bags full of fresh ingredients. I'm making this for dinner tonight!
Asian Caucasian says
That is perfect timing! Hope you enjoy this Pad See Ew as much as we did!
Jacqueline Debono says
I loved the food in Thailand!! This stir fry looks so good. Don't think I can find Chinese broccoli here in Italy but it looks similar to broccoli rabe (rapini) .Going to try it with that!
Asian Caucasian says
I would substitute it for either kale, or broccoli rabe. Isn't there an Asian market somewhere near you? Search around, you may be surprised!
Cheese Curd In Paradise says
Pad See Ew is one of my favorite dishes to order when we are out. I love the noodles and the sauce is always soaked up by the yummy noodles. I can't wait to give this a try at home!
Asian Caucasian says
Yes, those noodles with all that sauce! Soaks up all of those great flavors in the Thai Pad See Ew! And that Chinese broccoli though... so good!
Kacie Morgan says
Thai food is so delicious and I'm always surprised by how quick and easy it is to cook dishes like this.
Asian Caucasian says
Definitely easy to prepare! Thai food is among my favorite food ever! Can't get enough!
Linda says
I love pad see ew! Can't get enough of it when we were in Bangkok. And now I can't wait to try this while thinking all the good memories of Thailand.
Asian Caucasian says
Yes!!! I miss all the great street food which is why I had to create this at home. Give it a try! It will bring back those great memories!
Fiona Maclean says
That looks beautiful! I have literally just tried Chinese broccoli in a local restaurant - and I thought they'd brought me the wrong vegetable. The restaurant owner told me more or less what you said about the leaves with thick stems. I'm definitely going to search it out
Asian Caucasian says
I adore Chinese broccoli! They don't wilt like most leafy veggies when cooked. I was able to find it at my local Asian market. Worth searching for!
Danielle Wolter says
thai food is my favorite cuisine ever. the flavors are so wonderful. i love how you made this dish easy with easy to find ingredients.
Asian Caucasian says
I have to say that Thai food is one of my faves too (along with Vietnamese). It's so fun to recreate these dishes in your own kitchen!
Stine Mari says
I love Thai street food and this looks so so yummy! And really easy to make to, great recipe!
Asian Caucasian says
Missing all that street food in Bangkok! This one's a winner though, and easily created at home!
Brian Jones says
That looks so very good, I love quick stir fry recipes they have been a lifesaver on so many occasions... Looking forward to trying this one!
Asian Caucasian says
Hope you love this as much as I do! Really can't say enough about the flavors in this noodle dish. One for the whole family!
Gloria says
You never have to ask me twice if I would like noodles for dinner. This looks delicious. Stir fries are so great, and perfect for busy weeknights. So much better than any takeout.
Asian Caucasian says
Totally agree with you! This classic noodle dish is so easy to make at home! Tastes so yummy too!
Amanda says
Mmmm I love any Thai noodle dish. This looks outstanding!
Asian Caucasian says
Thank you, Amanda! You gotta try this one at home. No take-out necessary here!
Kelly Anthony says
This recipe looks like the perfect weeknight meal because its fast and has all the nutrients.
Asian Caucasian says
Exactly! This is one the entire family will enjoy! Great flavors and so easy to make!
Beth Neels says
This is my dad's favorite at our local Thai restaurant! I can't wait to make it for him and show he I can make it too! Thanks!
Asian Caucasian says
Hope he loves this recipe! It's just as good as the restaurant's version. Use whatever protein you have on hand, they all work well with this Pad See Ew!
Tristin Rieken says
This stir fry is simply delicious! And the sauce came together easily with things I commonly have in my fridge (except for dark soy.. I need to get my hands on some!)
Asian Caucasian says
So glad you loved this one! It's a winner Thai dish for sure. Dark soy is really not necessary, but you can find it at the Asian market, or on Amazon. It will last forever!
Tara says
This looks absolutely delicious!! Can't wait to make it!
Asian Caucasian says
Thanks so much, Tara! I loved this dish. Used steak this time but any protein will be perfect!
Asian Caucasian says
Thanks, Karen! So glad you can enjoy this dish at home! Can't wait to hear how you liked it!
Karen F. says
Wow! This looks so delicious! This also brings back memories of my trip to Thailand. Love Pad See Ew and will have to make this one at home!