Pad See Ew Stir Fry

Featured in Family Dinner Ideas.

Pad See Ew is a Thai classic that brings the flavors of street food to your kitchen. This easy stir-fry dish features tender chicken, fresh Chinese broccoli, and chewy wide rice noodles caramelized to perfection in a rich soy-based sauce. Cooking the chicken separately ensures authentic caramelization, just like you’d find from traditional high-heat wok cooking. Perfectly balanced with savory, slightly sweet, and smoky flavors, this quick 18-minute dish is a weeknight winner for bold and satisfying meals.

Fatiha
Updated on Fri, 23 May 2025 18:12:47 GMT
A bowl of noodles with vegetables and nuts. Pin it
A bowl of noodles with vegetables and nuts. | zestplate.com

This hearty Pad See Ew brings authentic Thai street food right to your dining table. The combination of wide rice noodles, tender chicken, and Chinese broccoli bathed in a savory-sweet sauce creates a restaurant-quality dish that's surprisingly simple to make at home.

I first attempted this recipe after returning from a trip to Bangkok, desperate to recreate those unforgettable street food flavors. After several tries and a few smoky kitchen incidents, this version has become my family's most requested weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

  • Wide rice stick noodles: The foundation of this dish, providing the perfect chewy texture to absorb the flavorful sauce.
  • Dark soy sauce: Adds the signature deep color and rich flavor that defines authentic Pad See Ew.
  • Oyster sauce: Contributes essential umami depth look for bottles labeled "premium" for best results.
  • Light soy sauce: Provides the salt element without overwhelming the other flavors.
  • White vinegar: Balances the sweetness with a subtle tang.
  • Sugar: Necessary for achieving that authentic sweet-savory balance Thai food is known for.
  • Peanut or vegetable oil: Use fresh oil with high smoke point for proper noodle caramelization.
  • Garlic: Fresh cloves minced just before cooking release maximum flavor.
  • Chicken thighs: Juicier and more forgiving than breast meat when stir-fried at high heat.
  • Egg: Creates silky richness throughout the dish.
  • Chinese broccoli: Provides a slightly bitter contrast that balances the sweet-savory sauce perfectly.

How To Make Pad See Ew

Prepare the components:
Take time to organize all elements before heating the wok. Slice chicken into uniform pieces about 1/4 inch thick for even cooking. Wash Chinese broccoli thoroughly and separate stems from leaves as they cook at different rates. Mix sauce ingredients in a small bowl until sugar completely dissolves.
Cook noodles properly:
Follow package directions precisely, but aim for slightly firmer than al dente as they'll continue cooking in the wok. Rinse immediately after cooking to stop the cooking process and prevent sticking. Time this step so noodles are ready just as you need them.
Cook protein and vegetables:
Heat your wok until it just starts smoking before adding oil. Cook garlic just until fragrant about 15 seconds before adding chicken. Add broccoli stems first then leaves, allowing each component to cook properly. The egg should be scrambled quickly in a cleared space within the same wok.
Caramelize the noodles:
This is the crucial step that separates good Pad See Ew from great. Remove everything from the wok first, then heat fresh oil until smoking before adding noodles and sauce. The intense heat creates those prized caramelized edges. Resist the urge to constantly stir limit yourself to just enough tosses to distribute the sauce.
Combine and serve:
Quickly reintroduce the chicken mixture to the caramelized noodles with minimal tossing. The entire dish should move from wok to plate in under 30 seconds to preserve the perfect texture and temperature.
A bowl of noodles with vegetables. Pin it
A bowl of noodles with vegetables. | zestplate.com

My breakthrough moment with this recipe came when I finally stopped stirring the noodles constantly. That patience allowed the edges to develop that magical caramelization you find in the best Thai restaurants. Now whenever I smell that distinctive aroma of caramelizing rice noodles, it transports me straight back to the bustling night markets of Bangkok.

Troubleshooting Sticky Noodles

If your rice noodles clump together after cooking, avoid the temptation to rinse with cold water. Instead, toss with a small amount of neutral oil immediately after draining. When preparing dried rice noodles, soak them until they're pliable but still slightly firm in the center. They'll finish cooking in the wok, absorbing the flavorful sauce while maintaining their integrity. If using fresh rice noodles, a quick 5-second microwave loosens them perfectly for stir-frying.

Make It Your Own

This recipe welcomes adaptation based on what you have available. Swap chicken for thinly sliced beef, pork, tofu, or shrimp. If Chinese broccoli proves difficult to find, substitute regular broccoli, bok choy, or even spinach. While traditional Pad See Ew contains just a few simple vegetables, feel free to add julienned carrots or bell peppers for extra color and nutrition. The sauce works beautifully with whatever protein and vegetables you choose, making this a perfect clean-out-the-fridge meal.

A bowl of noodles with vegetables. Pin it
A bowl of noodles with vegetables. | zestplate.com

The Secret's in the Sauce

The deceptively simple sauce is what gives Pad See Ew its distinctive flavor profile. Dark soy sauce provides color and depth, while light soy delivers saltiness. Oyster sauce contributes essential umami notes that can't be replicated with other ingredients. The balance of sugar and vinegar creates that characteristic Thai sweet-sour foundation. For an extra dimension, try adding a teaspoon of fish sauce or replacing the white vinegar with rice vinegar. Store any leftover sauce in the refrigerator for up to a week it makes an excellent quick marinade for midweek proteins.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What type of noodles are best for Pad See Ew?

Wide flat rice noodles, such as Sen Yai, are traditionally used for Pad See Ew. If unavailable, dried rice stick noodles make a great substitute.

→ Can I use a different protein instead of chicken?

Yes, you can substitute chicken with beef, pork, shrimp, or tofu. Adjust cooking times accordingly to ensure your protein cooks through properly.

→ How do I get the caramelized flavor on the noodles?

Cook the noodles in a very hot wok or skillet with minimal tossing. This allows the sauce to caramelize and enhances the flavor.

→ What is the key to balancing the flavors in Pad See Ew?

The combination of dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, light soy sauce, vinegar, and sugar creates a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and tangy flavors. Adjust to taste if desired.

→ Can I make Pad See Ew vegetarian or vegan?

Absolutely! Use tofu as your protein and substitute oyster sauce with a vegetarian oyster sauce or hoisin sauce for a vegan-friendly version.

Pad See Ew Thai Noodles

Enjoy bold Thai flavors with Pad See Ew, a savory noodle stir-fry bursting with delicious ingredients.

Prep Time
8 Minutes
Cook Time
10 Minutes
Total Time
18 Minutes
By: Fatiha

Category: Main Dishes

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Thai

Yield: 3 Servings

Dietary: Dairy-Free

Ingredients

→ Noodles

01 200g dried wide rice stick noodles or 450g fresh wide flat rice noodles (Sen Yai)

→ Sauce

02 2 tsp dark soy sauce
03 1 1/2 tbsp oyster sauce
04 1 tbsp light soy sauce or all-purpose soy sauce
05 2 tsp white vinegar
06 2 tsp sugar

→ Stir Fry

07 3 tbsp peanut or vegetable oil, separated
08 2 cloves garlic, very finely chopped
09 150g chicken thighs, boneless and skinless, sliced
10 1 large egg
11 4 stems Chinese broccoli, trimmed and cut into pieces

Instructions

Step 01

Trim the ends of the Chinese broccoli, cut into 7.5cm pieces, separate leaves from stems, and cut thick stems in half vertically so they are no wider than 0.8cm thick.

Step 02

Cook rice noodles according to the packet directions and drain. Ensure they are cooked just before use to avoid breakage.

Step 03

Mix dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, light soy sauce, vinegar, and sugar until the sugar dissolves completely.

Step 04

Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large heavy skillet or wok over high heat.

Step 05

Add garlic and cook for 15 seconds. Add the chicken and cook until it changes from pink to white.

Step 06

Add Chinese broccoli stems and cook until the chicken is almost fully cooked.

Step 07

Add Chinese broccoli leaves and cook until they just wilt.

Step 08

Push everything to one side of the wok, crack the egg in, and scramble it.

Step 09

Remove all ingredients from the wok and place them onto a plate. Clean the wok.

Step 10

Heat remaining 2 tbsp oil in the wok over high heat until it starts smoking. Add the noodles and prepared sauce. Toss lightly to disperse the sauce and caramelise the noodle edges for about 1 to 1.5 minutes.

Step 11

Add the chicken and vegetables back into the wok. Toss thoroughly to combine and serve immediately.

Notes

  1. For authentic flavor, cook the chicken separately to allow caramelization. Avoid over-tossing the noodles.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large heavy-based skillet or wok

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains soy (in sauces) and eggs.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: ~
  • Total Fat: ~
  • Total Carbohydrate: ~
  • Protein: ~