This Pad See Ew recipe is a savory and sweet recipe, which is made with tender skirt steak and chewy rice noodles. It’s a restaurant-quality dish, a classic Thai stir-fry that’s ready in about 30 minutes.
Pad See Ew Ingredients
A classic combination for a super-fast and authentic-tasting Thai stir-fry.
- 8 ounces dried wide rice-stick noodles
- 3 Thai bird chiles, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons plus 4 teaspoons distilled white vinegar, divided
- 6 tablespoons sweet soy sauce
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons safflower or vegetable oil, divided
- 8 ounces skirt steak, thinly sliced against the grain
- 2 large eggs
- 8 ounces Broccolini, stems thinly sliced, florets cut small
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic (2 to 3 cloves)
How To Make Pad See Ew
A step-by-step guide to this quick and delicious Thai noodle dish.
- Pickle the Chiles & Soak Noodles: In a small bowl, cover the sliced chiles with 2 tablespoons of vinegar to make a quick pickle; set aside. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, then remove it from the heat. Add the rice noodles and let them soak for about 2 minutes until softened but still firm. Drain and rinse under cold water.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a separate small bowl, stir together the sweet soy sauce, low-sodium soy sauce, and the remaining 4 teaspoons of vinegar.
- Sear the Steak: Heat a large cast-iron skillet or wok over high heat for about 2 minutes until it’s very hot. Add 1 tablespoon of oil. Add the steak in a single layer and sear for about 1 minute per side until golden brown but just cooked through. Transfer the steak to a plate.
- Cook Eggs & Vegetables: Reheat the skillet over high. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil. Pour in the eggs and immediately scramble them for about 20 seconds until just cooked; push to the side. Add the Broccolini and garlic and cook, stirring, for about 1 minute until the Broccolini is bright green and crisp-tender.
- Combine and Caramelize: Add the drained noodles, the seared steak with any accumulated juices, and the prepared soy sauce mixture to the skillet. Toss everything to coat. Cook for 4 minutes, stirring for a few seconds every minute, but allowing the noodles to sit undisturbed in between. This caramelizes the sauce onto the noodles.
- Serve: Serve the Pad See Ew immediately, with the pickled chiles on the side for guests to add as they like.
Recipe Tips
For the most authentic flavor and perfect texture.
- How to get that smoky, caramelized noodle flavor (“wok hei”)? The secret is the final step. After tossing everything together, let the noodles sit in the hot pan without stirring for about a minute at a time. This allows the sweet soy sauce to caramelize on the noodles and the bottom of the pan, creating a slightly smoky, charred flavor that is the signature of great Pad See Ew.
- What are the best noodles for Pad See Ew? Traditionally, this dish is made with fresh, wide rice noodles. As the recipe notes, they can be hard to find. The dried wide rice-stick noodles used here are an excellent and accessible substitute. Just be sure to only soak them for a couple of minutes so they don’t get mushy in the final stir-fry.
- How to get tender stir-fry beef? Using a tender cut like skirt steak and slicing it very thinly against the grain is crucial. A very hot pan and a quick sear (about 1 minute per side) is all it needs. This cooks it fast without making it tough and chewy.
- Can I make this vegetarian? Yes, absolutely. You can substitute the steak with pan-fried firm tofu or extra vegetables like sliced mushrooms. Use a vegetarian stir-fry sauce or a little extra soy sauce in place of the oyster sauce that is sometimes used. (This recipe uses soy sauce, which is vegetarian-friendly).
What To Serve With Pad See Ew
This quick noodle dish is a complete meal on its own.
Pad See Ew is a satisfying, all-in-one meal. The only essential accompaniment is the side of vinegar-pickled chiles, which adds a bright, spicy kick to cut through the richness of the savory-sweet noodles.
How To Store Pad See Ew
This dish is best enjoyed immediately.
- Best Eaten Fresh: Stir-fried noodles are at their absolute best—with the perfect chewy texture and caramelized flavor—when eaten hot and fresh from the wok or skillet.
- Reheat: If you have leftovers, they can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat them in a hot, lightly oiled skillet, stirring until warmed through. The noodles will be softer upon reheating.
Pad See Ew Nutrition Facts
An estimated guide per serving.
- Calories: 650 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 75 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Fat: 28 g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Sweet soy sauce, known as kecap manis in Indonesia, is a thick, syrupy soy sauce sweetened with palm sugar. It’s much thicker and sweeter than regular soy sauce and is essential for the signature flavor and color of Pad See Ew. You can find it in the international aisle of most supermarkets.
Yes. Chinese broccoli (Gai Lan) is the most traditional vegetable for Pad See Ew. If you can’t find it, regular broccoli florets or even sliced bok choy would be great substitutes.
Rinsing the soaked noodles under cold water is a key step that removes excess starch and helps prevent them from clumping. Also, make sure you don’t over-soak them; they should still be quite firm when you drain them, as they will finish cooking in the hot skillet.
Try More Recipes:
- Pomegranate Skirt-Steak Kebabs Recipe
- Steak and Asparagus Stir-Fry Recipe
- Beef Stroganoff Stir-Fry Recipe
Pad See Ew Recipe
Description
A classic Thai street food favorite, this Pad See Ew features chewy, caramelized rice noodles, tender seared steak, and crisp broccolini in a savory-sweet soy sauce.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Soak the rice noodles in hot water for 2 minutes until softened but still firm; drain and rinse with cold water. Pickle the sliced chiles in 2 tbsp of vinegar.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the sweet soy sauce, low-sodium soy sauce, and remaining 4 tsp of vinegar.
- Sear the steak in 1 tbsp of oil in a very hot skillet for 1-2 minutes per side; remove to a plate.
- Add the remaining 2 tbsp of oil to the hot skillet. Scramble the eggs for 20 seconds, then add the Broccolini and garlic and stir-fry for 1 minute.
- Add the noodles, seared steak, and the prepared sauce to the skillet.
- Toss to coat and cook for 4 minutes, allowing the noodles to sit and caramelize between stirs.
- Serve immediately with the pickled chiles on the side.
Notes
- Slicing the skirt steak thinly against the grain is crucial for ensuring it is tender.
- Allowing the noodles to sit in the hot pan without stirring is the secret to getting the authentic, delicious caramelized flavor.
- Have all your ingredients prepped and ready to go (“mise en place”), as the stir-frying process is very fast.
- Sweet soy sauce is a key ingredient and can be found in the international aisle of most grocery stores.