Pad See Ew (Thai Stir Fried Noodles)

Even if you’ve never made it before, comforting Pad See Ew is a dish that’s easy and scrumptious. Everyone will love this sweet, salty, tangy dish of comforting wide noodles, veggies, and chicken.

Easy Homemade Thai Fried Noodles

Are you a fan of Thai flavors? The exotic flavor combinations in Thai food have a way of becoming addictive, so much so that I keep a few easy Thai recipes up my sleeve for a quick homemade fix! Pad See Ew, with its luscious brown sauce and caramelized noodles, is one of my family’s favorites. Also?! I love it because it’s healthy and easy to make!

Pad see ew is pronounced “pat-see-you,” and it’s essentially a beloved pan-fried noodle dish that’s made its way across the globe – much like its popular cousin, pad thai. You can create your own pad see ew at home, either in a wok or a large skillet. The emphasis on perfectly-caramelized noodles will make this dish popular even with picky eaters, while the crisp-tender vegetables and chicken add some great nutrition.

Is Pad See Ew the Same as Drunken Noodles?

These dishes are similar, but they are not quite the same. For one thing, drunken noodles tend to be more on the spicy side, while this dish is nice and mild (aka kid-friendly!). Drunken noodles are also less sweet than pad see ew. If you like dishes with a sweet-salty profile, pad see ew is a great choice. If you’re in the mood for heat, go for drunken noodles. Both are delicious!

The Ingredients You’ll Need

Are you worried you won’t be able to find the ingredients for pad see ew? Don’t be! This dish is surprisingly simple, and most grocery stores will carry everything you need – or you can order things online. In a pinch, there’s almost always a great substitution you can use for each item. Here’s the scoop:

For the Stir-Fry

• Wide Noodles: Rice noodles are traditional in pad see ew, but you can substitute any wide noodles that you have. I used pappardelle. Cook and drain according to the package directions.
• Chicken Breast: Cut the chicken breast into bite-sized pieces.
• Soy Sauce: I like reduced-sodium soy sauce, but you could use regular soy sauce, tamari, or coconut aminos.
• Sesame Oil: If you can, go for toasted sesame seed oil – so much flavor!
• Spinach: Washed and dried. If you use baby spinach, there’s no need to tear it, but if you use regular spinach, tear it into bite-sized pieces.
• Broccoli: Chop up some broccoli stalks or florets.
• Garlic: I like fresh, minced garlic in this recipe.

For the Sauce

• Soy Sauce: Again, use your preferred soy sauce or substitute.
• Oyster Sauce: This sauce has a salty taste and delicate seafood fragrance. But don’t be put off by that – the seafood taste sort of disappears into the sauce, adding depth to that classic stir-fry taste.
• Rice Vinegar: For a light tangy note.
• Brown Sugar: Or honey, or maple syrup.
• Molasses: If you thought this was just for gingerbread, think again! Molasses is great for adding a deep, almost burned sweetness to sauces like this one – or your favorite barbecue.
• Seasonings: You’ll need some ground coriander, a little garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
• Garnishes: For garnish, I like to sprinkle on some chili flakes or crushed red pepper (be careful though, because crushed red pepper is spicier than chili flakes). Lime wedges are great, too.

How to Make Pad See Ew

The process for making pad see ew at home is quick and very simple. All you really have to do is cook the chicken and veggies, then make the noodles, and then stir everything together with the sauce. Let’s go!

• Make the Sauce and Set Aside. In a medium mixing bowl, combine all of your sauce ingredients, and give them a whisk to combine. Set the sauce aside while you work on the other ingredients.

• Cook the Chicken and Broccoli. Next, set a skillet over medium-high heat. Once the skillet is hot, add the soy sauce, sesame oil, and sliced chicken breast. Let these ingredients cook together for about 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Then add the chopped broccoli and the garlic. Cook for another three minutes or so, and set aside in a clean bowl. Don’t wipe or wash the pan.

• Cook the Noodles. Now you can add the cooked, drained noodles to the skillet. You want these to sizzle and saute, until they get dark and toasty in spots. This should take a couple of minutes.

• Finish the Dish. Finally, return the chicken and broccoli to the skillet, along with the spinach and the sauce mixture. Bring all of the ingredients to a simmer, and let them cook for a minute or two until the sauce thickens and becomes shiny.
• Enjoy! Serve with lime wedges and a sprinkle of chili flakes (if using).

Tips for Success

So there you have it – a simple, wholesome, full-flavored stir-fry dish that the whole family will devour! Each ingredient works to add a special flavor, texture, and color to the recipe. But there are still a few helpful hints I’d like to share with you for making great pad see ew:

• About the Noodles: You can use wide rice noodles, pappardelle, or whatever other wide, flat noodles you like. Another option would be to use rice noodles, but stick with the thinner ones normally used for pad thai. That way, you get the rice noodle flavor. Whichever you choose, know that it’s okay if the noodles break or stick a little bit during cooking.
• Veggie Options: Broccoli and spinach are two easy choices, but if you wanted you could definitely add some carrots, bell peppers, or mushrooms for color and variety. Use what you have! Keep in mind that denser veggies like carrots take longer to cook than delicate veggies like bell pepper.
• Meat and Meatless Choices: This stir-fry would also be wonderful with thinly-sliced beef, pork, or some peeled and deveined shrimp. For a meatless option, try scrambled eggs or tofu. Yum!

Tasty Serving Ideas

This one-bowl noodle dish is a meal in itself, thanks to the healthy noodles, hearty chunks of chicken, and nutritious veggies. But if you would like to add another dish or two to the menu, here are some easy ideas!

• A Light Salad: A simple, crisp salad like this Sesame Cucumber Salad would make a refreshing side dish with hearty pad see ew. Healthy and easy to make!
• A Contrasting Stir Fry: Offer the best of both worlds with another stir-fry dish, like Steak Stir Fry with Zucchini Noodles. This low-carb recipe is full of umami flavor and will add a fun, hearty contrast to your meal.
• Snap Peas: Sweet and crunchy snap peas are always welcome on my table – how about yours? If you like these healthy veggies, you’ll love this easy recipe for Sesame Snap Peas.

How to Store and Reheat Pad See Ew

• Store your leftover pad see ew in an airtight container in the fridge. It should keep for up to 3 days.
• Reheat in a covered skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or broth if the dish seems dry. Don’t overcook it or the chicken will be tough.

Can I Freeze This?

• This really depends on the type of noodles you use. Rice noodles may not freeze well, but if you substituted regular pasta like pappardelle, you may find that this freezes just fine.
• If you do freeze it, cool it down first. Then pack it into a freezer bag with as much air pressed out as possible, mark with the date, and use within 3 months.
• Thaw before reheating.

ENJOY!

More Asian-Inspired Recipes