Pad Thai in Thailand: history of the dish, where to try it in Phuket, and how to cook it at home
If Tom Yum is considered the most famous Thai soup, then Pad Thai can rightfully be called the most popular dish in Thai cuisine. Millions of tourists try it in Thailand every year and then try to find the same taste back home.
Pad Thai can be found in almost every cafe, restaurant, or night market in Phuket. Despite its simple ingredients, this dish is considered one of Thailand's symbols and is on the list of must-try dishes during your vacation.
What is Pad Thai?
Pad Thai is stir-fried rice noodles with a characteristic sweet, sour, and savory taste. In its classic version, it is cooked in a wok with egg, bean sprouts, green onions, peanuts, and a tamarind-based sauce.
Depending on the recipe, shrimp, chicken, pork, crab, squid, or tofu are added to the dish.
The main secret to Pad Thai's popularity lies in the perfect balance of flavors. Thai cuisine is famous for combining sweet, sour, salty, and spicy, and it is in Pad Thai that this philosophy is especially brightly revealed.
History of Pad Thai
Many are surprised to learn that Pad Thai is a relatively young dish by Thai cuisine standards.
Its popularization began in the 1930s–1940s during the rule of Prime Minister Plaek Phibunsongkhram. In those years, the authorities actively promoted national identity and sought to create dishes that could become a gastronomic symbol of the country.
Additionally, there was a rice shortage in the country, so the government encouraged the use of rice noodles as a more economical product.
As a result, Pad Thai quickly spread throughout the country and gradually became one of Thailand's most recognizable dishes.
Today, it is served in street food stalls and expensive restaurants worldwide.
Types of Pad Thai
In Phuket, you can find several popular variations of the dish.
The most common is Pad Thai with shrimp. This is what tourists order most often.
Versions with chicken and seafood are no less popular. In the coastal areas of the island, Pad Thai is often prepared with squid, mussels, and fresh shrimp.
For vegetarians, there is a tofu option without meat and seafood.
In some restaurants, you can even find author's versions of the dish with crab or lobster.
How real Pad Thai differs from what is prepared outside Thailand
In many countries, Pad Thai is adapted to local tastes. Often it is made sweeter or, conversely, the amount of spices and sauces is reduced.
In Phuket, the dish usually has a richer flavor due to the use of fresh tamarind paste, fish sauce, and local ingredients.
Moreover, fresh seafood makes the taste of the dish especially vibrant and authentic.
Where to try Pad Thai in Phuket
Good Pad Thai can be found in almost every area of the island.
Small family-run cafes are especially popular, where dishes are prepared according to traditional recipes. Many tourists note that it is in such establishments that they manage to taste the most delicious Pad Thai.
The dish is also widely represented at Phuket's night markets, where it is cooked right in front of visitors on a hot wok.
Another excellent option is the food courts of large shopping centers. Here you can try quality Pad Thai at an affordable price.
If you want the most authentic experience, choose establishments where locals dine.
How much does Pad Thai cost in Phuket?
Pad Thai is considered one of the most affordable dishes in Thai cuisine.
In local cafes, the cost usually ranges from 70 to 150 baht.
At night markets, prices are most often in the range of 80–120 baht.
In Phuket's tourist restaurants, the price can reach 200–350 baht, depending on the dish's ingredients and the establishment's level.
Versions with large shrimp, crab, or lobster are significantly more expensive.
Why tourists love Pad Thai so much
One of the reasons for the dish's popularity is its versatility.
Unlike many other Thai dishes, Pad Thai is rarely too spicy. Therefore, it is suitable even for tourists who are not accustomed to Asian spices.
In addition, the combination of noodles, seafood, peanuts, and sauce makes the dish both filling and relatively light.
That is why many travelers order it again and again during their vacation.
Classic Pad Thai with Shrimp Recipe
If, after your trip to Phuket, you want to cook the famous dish at home, you can use a traditional recipe.
Ingredients
For 2–3 servings, you will need:
- 200g rice noodles;
- 200g peeled shrimp;
- 2 eggs;
- 100g bean sprouts;
- 2 stalks green onion;
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil;
- 2 tablespoons crushed peanuts;
- lime wedges for serving.
For the sauce:
- 2 tablespoons tamarind paste;
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce;
- 1 tablespoon palm or brown sugar;
- 1 teaspoon chili sauce (optional).
Cooking method
Soak the rice noodles in warm water for about 20–30 minutes until soft.
Mix all sauce ingredients in a separate bowl.
Heat a wok or deep frying pan with oil and quickly stir-fry the shrimp until cooked.
Add the eggs and gently mix them with the shrimp.
Then add the noodles and pour in the prepared sauce.
Stir-fry for a few minutes, stirring constantly, until the noodles absorb the sauce.
Add bean sprouts and green onions, then cook for about another minute.
Before serving, sprinkle with crushed peanuts and serve with a lime wedge.
Optionally, you can add chili flakes for a spicier taste.
Is it worth trying Pad Thai in Phuket?
Absolutely.
Pad Thai is not just a popular dish, but a part of Thailand's modern gastronomic culture. It is loved by both tourists and locals.
If you are visiting Phuket for the first time, exploring Thai cuisine is hard to imagine without a plate of freshly prepared Pad Thai. And once you try it in Thailand, you will surely understand why this dish has become one of the country's most famous symbols.
