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traditional thai pad see ew - featured image

Traditional Thai Pad See Ew: 5-Ingredient Budget Meal


  • Author: Elena
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Description

A quick, budget-friendly, and kid-approved Thai stir-fry made with flat rice noodles, Chinese broccoli, and eggs. This recipe delivers restaurant-quality flavor in just 20 minutes using simple pantry staples.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (225g) flat rice noodles (fresh or dried)
  • 2 cups chopped Chinese broccoli (gai lan) or substitute
  • 2 large eggs
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon sugar (brown or white)
  • 2 tablespoons water or broth
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Instructions

  1. Prep ingredients: Chop Chinese broccoli (stems and leaves separately), mince garlic, and whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, and sesame oil in a small bowl.
  2. Cook noodles: If using fresh noodles, rinse under cold water. If using dried, soak in warm water until soft. Boil fresh noodles for 2-3 minutes until tender, then drain and toss with a tiny bit of oil to prevent sticking.
  3. Scramble eggs: Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Scramble eggs quickly until just set but still soft, then remove from pan and set aside.
  4. Sauté aromatics and greens: Add remaining 1 tablespoon of oil to the hot pan. Stir-fry garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add broccoli stems and cook for 1 minute, then add leaves and cook for 1-2 minutes until wilted but tender-crisp.
  5. Combine and sauce: Return noodles and eggs to the pan. Pour sauce mixture over everything. Toss constantly for 1-2 minutes until noodles are coated, slightly charred, and sauce is thickened. Add a splash of water if too dry.
  6. Serve: Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with green onions or chili flakes if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

[“High heat is key to achieving ‘wok hei’ (charred flavor).”, ‘Do not overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if doubling the recipe.’, ‘Fresh rice noodles are preferred for texture; dried noodles must be soaked, not boiled.’, ‘Leftovers taste better the next day as noodles absorb more sauce.’, ‘Do not freeze this dish as noodles become mushy.’, ‘For gluten-free: Use tamari and ensure oyster sauce is gluten-free.’, ‘For vegetarian: Swap oyster sauce for vegetarian/mushroom sauce.’]

  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Cuisine: Thai

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1
  • Calories: 380
  • Sugar: 6
  • Sodium: 680
  • Fat: 12
  • Carbohydrates: 55
  • Fiber: 2
  • Protein: 12

Keywords: Thai food, pad see ew, stir fry, budget meal, weeknight dinner, rice noodles, Chinese broccoli, quick recipes, family meals