Pad See Ew – the popular Thai stir fried noodles straight from the streets of Thailand made at home! While Pad Thai is sweeter and nuttier, Pad See Ew is salty, balanced with a touch of sour and a wonderful chargrilled flavour which you can create at home!
Pad See Ew
Pad See Ew, which means “stir fried soy sauce noodles, is an extremely popular Thai street food meal and probably the most popular noodle dish at Thai restaurants in Western countries.
You may have tried and been disappointed by other recipes in the past. It all comes down to the sauce. You have to get the sauce right!
I can’t remember where I originally got the recipe from. Probably from David Thompson, the famous Australian chef who has dedicated his life to mastering the art of Thai cooking. I’ve made it so many times over the years, I can almost make it with my eyes closed. (Not really….but you know what I mean!)
So I had to actually measure the ingredients properly to share the recipe!
What goes in Pad See Ew
Here’s what you need for Pad See Ew. You can find all these ingredients in large supermarkets nowadays!
Pad See Ew Sauce
Pad See Ew has a sweet-savoury-touch-of-sour flavour, and this is made with a combination of the following ingredients:
- Dark soy sauce – for flavour and staining the noodles a dark brown
- Ordinary or light soy sauce – for seasoning
- Oyster sauce – key ingredient, it’s like 10 difference sauces mixed up in one bottle!
- Vinegar – to balance the sweet and savoury
- Sugar – for sweetness
Noodles for Pad See Ew
Pad See Ew is traditionally made with Sen Yai, which are wide, thin fresh rice noodles that are not easily accessible. Even most Asian stores in Sydney do not sell them – you usually need to go to a Thai grocery store.
So it is perfectly acceptable, and just as delicious, to make them with any wide flat rice noodles. I use dried rice noodles labelled as “Pad Thai” Rice Noodles (pictured below) because they are the widest available at the supermarket.
Once rehydrated, they’re essentially Sen Yai Noodles – just not quite as wide.
Chinese Broccoli
This is a key authentic ingredient in Pad See Ew. Otherwise known as Gai Lan or Kai lan, it’s leafy and looks quite different to broccoli, but you’ll notice a similarity in the texture of the stems (hence the name).
If you can’t find it, just sub with other Asian greens, or a combination of broccoli or broccolini + spinach.
Egg and chicken
Feel free to use other proteins if you wish. But chicken is by far the most popular.
How to make Thai Stir Fried Noodles
Usually when making stir fried noodles, we toss everything together in one big pan or a wok.
But for Pad See Ew made at home, I do things differently to best replicate a restaurant flavour and minimise noodle breakage:
- Cook chicken and vegetables first, then remove
- Add noodles and sauce, toss to caramelise (just 15 seconds), then add chicken and vegetables back in
Reason: A signature flavour in Pad See Ew is the caramelisation of the noodles. Restaurants and street vendors achieve this with super powered gas stoves with fiery heat that you’ll never find in a home kitchen. The only way to replicate that caramelisation on the noodles on a home kitchen stove is to declutter the wok and cook the noodles separately – the noodles will caramelise in 15 seconds.
The other reason is that rice noodles break if you toss them too much. Doing the two-stage toss makes it much easier and faster to disperse the sauce and bring the Pad See Ew together.
Trust me on this point. I’ve made a LOT of Pad See Ew at home in my time, and the two-stage toss it the easiest and most effective technique!
Cooking eggs – the Thai way!
Also worthy of note – you’ll love the way the egg is cooked in Pad See Ew! Using a traditional Thai technique, the other ingredients in the wok/skillet are pushed to the side to make room to scramble the egg, then mixed up with everything else.
As with all stir fries, once you start cooking, it moves very fast! So have everything prepared and ready to throw into the wok because there’s not time to be scrambling around the kitchen!
If you want to add a fresh side, try this Asian Slaw – it’s a great all rounder that goes with all Asian foods. – Nagi x
MORE THAI TAKEOUT FAVOURITES
- Pad Thai – truly just like takeout!
- Thai Red Curry and Green Curry
- Massaman Curry
- Thai Fish Cakes
- Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce
- Thai Fried Rice
- Browse the Thai recipe collection
AND MORE GREAT NOODLES!
Watch how to make it
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Pad See Ew - Thai Stir Fried Noodles
Ingredients
Noodles
- 200g / 7 oz dried wide rice stick noodles , or 15 oz / 450g fresh wide flat rice noodles (Sen Yai) (Note 1)
Sauce
- 2 tbsp dark soy sauce (Note 2)
- 2 tbsp oyster sauce
- 2 tsp soy sauce (all purpose or light, Note 3)
- 2 tsp white vinegar (plain white vinegar)
- 2 tsp sugar (any type)
- 2 tbsp water
Stir Fry
- 3 tbsp peanut or vegetable oil , separated
- 2 cloves garlic cloves, very finely chopped
- 1 cup / 150g / 5oz chicken thighs (boneless, skinless), sliced (Note 4)
- 1 large egg
- 4 stems Chinese broccoli (Note 5)
Instructions
- Chinese Broccoli - trim ends, cut into 7.5cm/3" pieces. Separate leaves from stems. Cut thick stems in half vertically so they're no wider than 0.8cm / 0.3" thick.
- Noodles - Prepare according to packet directions and drain. Time it so they're cooked just before using - do not leave cooked rice noodles lying around, they break in the wok.
- Sauce - Mix ingredients until sugar dissolves.
Cooking:
- Heat 1 tbsp oil in a very large heavy based skillet or wok over high heat.
- Add garlic, cook 15 seconds. Add chicken, cook until it mostly changes from pink to white.
- Add Chinese broccoli stems, cook until chicken is almost cooked through.
- Add Chinese broccoli leaves, cook until just wilted.
- Push everything to one side, crack egg in and scramble. Remove everything onto a plate (scrape wok clean).
- Return wok to stove, heat 2 tbsp oil over high heat.
- Add noodles and Sauce. Toss as few times as possible to disperse Sauce and make edges of noodles caramelise.
- Quickly add chicken and veg back in, and toss to disperse. Serve immediately!
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
Originally published 2014, updated 2016 then improved again in March 2019, including new video and step photos. Recipe also updated with a more effective cooking method – cooking the ingredients in two batches. No change to ingredients, but yields a better caramelisation and easier to cook – read in post for explanation.
Life of Dozer
When Dozer at a VERY spicy piece of chilli biltong!!
Was actually delicious! Cheap too!
Wahoo!
This looks AMAZING- I can’t wait to try it! I’ve been needing to buy oyster sauce for a while but have yet to do so- this is my new motivation!! I was wondering if you have a recommended brand (or two) for oyster sauce and for dark soy sauce. I know brand can make a BIG difference in flavor! FYI I’m in Texas (sadly not Australia!) but I have lots of great grocery stores around. Thanks in advance!
Hi Megan, Kikkoman is a great brand to start with – it should be readily available there 🙂
Thank you! 🙂
I made this twice already and its beautiful, I used the indonesian dark sweet soy sauce and its perfect…Thank you!
Wonderful to hear Jovi!
Amazing! The first time I’ve ever been able to produce a pad see ew like flavor 🙂 My noodles were not caramelized enough though, probably because I dumped the sauce and noodles in the wok simultaneously. Are you supposed to let the noodles sit in the heated wok and oil to caramelize before mixing in the sauce?
Hi Nagi! I just love your website! You are always so clear and concise. And I love the layout you present with all the needed ingredients and the videos are so helpful! ! And your recipes are so tasty…Thank you so much 👍🏻
You’re so welcome Serena, thanks so much for the feedback I really appreciate it! – N x
So delicious and easy to make. I used fresh rice noodles and lemongrass pork – a hit for dinner! Thank, Nagi!
You’re so welcome Judy!
Made this today. Turned out to be a hit! The concoction of the sauce was wonderful. N noodles were beautifully caramelized. Coming from Asia n I’ve eaten this so many times. I have to say this recipe sure beats those out there that I’ve eaten!
Hi! What could I substitute the oyster sauce with if I’m vegan? Pad see ew is my favorite and I’m hoping that not using the oyster sauce won’t completely compromise the flavor of my favorite Thai dish. Thank you for your time.
Hi Kailey, there is a mushroom based oyster sauce which is a great substitute!
Hi Nagi! My NZ friend sent me your site and I am anxious to try out your recipes, especially the Thai food. I am from Eastern US and I just recently started learning to cook Thai.
You’re never too old to try new cooking! I want to substitute the broccoli in the pad see ew with Swiss chard I am growing in my garden. Do you think it would make or break the recipe? Thank you. BTW love your Dozer boy!
You’re never too old Doreen!! You could definitely sub with Swiss chard, I know you’re going to love it!
Love your work, this is the 3rd or 4th recipe of yours I have scoured the net for good recipes for things and yours have been the best.
I am not a commenter buuut you deserve the praise!
I too prefer a tichum sweeter but it’s just personal preference
Thank you so much Rose, that truly means a lot ❤️
Thank you for your recipe! I’ve made it twice now and I’m so excited to be able to make one of my favorite Thai dishes at home. I added 1 carrot and a few baby corn. Served pickled peppers with it and my family raved about how good it was!
Sounds like you nailed it Cassie, you won’t need to get takeaway anymore!
Never fails! This recipe tastes just like the takeout! It’s so fast and easy too! Thanks Nagi!
Fantastic recipe and easy to understand/follow. Turned out perfectly. Thank you!
That’s awesome Linn, thanks for letting me know!
Hi! this looks delicious. I see people saying they would add a little more sugar next time and I know that I usually like things on the sweeter side. could I used a bit of kecap manis in this recipe? instead of sugar or dark soy sauce? any recommendations? thank you!
Hi Rose, I prefer dark soy then you can adjust the sweetness to taste – N x
I followed this recipe to the “T” and may I say my mind went back to my first vacation to Thailand. Mmmmmm…thank you for the awesome recipe! It’s a keeper!
Wahoo! That’s so nice to hear!
Delicious! Made this tonight with a thinner pho noodle and they held up really well to the stir frying. I think the trick is to undercook the noodles slightly so they finish cooking with the sauce. Big fan of your recipes, and your mum’s blog got me through living in Japan for four months!
Yes you’ve got the right idea! Always undercook if you’re going to cook twice. I’m so glad you loved it Kailey!
I love your attitude towards cooking !Cant wait to try your recipes here in Galveston Texas!
I hope you do! Don’t forget to let me know what you think once you try them ☺️
I made this tonight and we thoroughly enjoyed it. The mix of flavors was a great balance, although next time I might add a few more grams of sugar. The only problem was, with my 18,000 BTU burner, I got great caramelization, but lots of—not unexpected—splatter. I generally don’t wear a chef’s jacket at home, but next time, I will!
That’s all the fun of cooking isn’t it Jeffrey?! 😂
Thank you so much! This turned out perfectly, the only change being rapini for Chinese broccoli. My husband and I slurped up every bite. More, please!!!
I’m so glad you loved it!
Made this for a family dinner of discerning Thai food lovers including 13 y/o great nephew.
They scarfed it! Niece said, “Thankyouthankyouthankyou for the Pad See Ew!!”
I use thin and black soy for the soy and dark soy respectively.
Best recipe so far.
That’s awesome Diane!
I never leave comments. Nagi you save my “what to cook for dinner”life. I’ve cooked 4 of your recipes this week. Was sceptical of this one but it’s friday night and I thought what the hell. Love it and so did my partner. We are alway sending you appreciation when we eat your recipes. Many thanks for your blog. Did mine with beef tenderised by the method you recommend (velveting). Yum
Thanks so much for the awesome feedback Helena!!
Nagi does fantastic, easy recipes for time-pressed home cooks. (I’ll confess to “borrowing” a few ideas from her for commercial menus!) If Nagi ever opens a restaurant, I’ll be the first in line to make a pilgrimage to Sydney!
Another fine recipe Nagi. I doubled up everything, as I’ve got a hungry teenager at home. Only issue I had was the amount of liquid released by the veggie leaf, meant scrambling the eggs didn’t work quite so well. Suspect it’s cos I picked up water spinach instead of chinese brocolli.
I try out plenty recipes online, but never post any comments. Only discovered your site around Christmas, and I’ve since tried out around 20 of your recipes. Every one of them’s been a winner. So felt compelled to give you some feedback.
Keep up the great work.
Thanks so much Ian, yes if there’s too much water in the wok it won’t fry very well unfortunately. I’m so glad you’re loving my recipes ❤️