Traditional Thai Noodle Dishes Explained - The Giant of Siam (2024)

FAQs

What are traditional Thai noodles? ›

The Different Types Of Noodles in Thailand

Sen Yai: “Yai” means “big” and is called so as this is a wide flat noodle. Sen Lek: “Lek” means “small” and is called so as it is a thin noodle. Sen Mii: This noodle is thinner still and a bit harder. Bamee: This is egg noodle.

Pad Thai. As one of the most popular noodle dishes in Thailand, pad thai is a household name when it comes to authentic cuisine. Made with thin rice stick noodles, chefs stir fry egg, scallions, bean sprouts, and crushed peanuts with shrimp to deliver an unforgettable blend of flavors!

One explanation is that because the dish is so spicy, you would have to drink a lot to handle the spice. Another is that the extreme spice of the noodles is the only thing strong enough for inebriated people to taste.

Why Are Drunken Noodles Called Drunken Noodles? This dish originated in central region of Thailand. Like many coveted dishes, this dish's naming rights are highly debated. The two most common reasons for its name is that it's a good meal with an ice-cold beer, and that it's a good hangover cure.

Sen lek: Otherwise known as the rice noodle, this noodle is one of the most commonly used in Thailand and the United States. Preparation generally takes form in boiling water. Served hot or cold, fried, steamed, or in broth, this noodle is the perfect addition to nearly every authentic Thai dish.

Noodles in various contents, formulations, and shapes have been the staple foods for many Asian countries since ancient time. They can be made from wheat, rice, buckwheat, and starches derived from potato, sweet potato, and pulses.

You can find Pad Thai in Thailand in almost every street food cart and restaurant. However, this very popular dish was actually not invented in Thailand. It was actually invented by Chinese immigrants in the early 20th century who came to Thailand to work as cooks and domestic helpers.

Pad Thai is one of Thailand's most recognized dishes. Fistfuls of small, thin or wide noodles, along with crunchy beansprouts, onion, and egg are stir-fried in a searing hot wok. The dish is also flavored with condiments such as fish sauce, dried shrimp, garlic or shallots, red chilli, and palm sugar.

It can definitely be a part of a balanced, well-rounded diet. While pad thai includes many nutritious ingredients, its sodium content is considerably high. You can reduce its sodium by requesting the eatery go easy on the sauce and salt-contributing condiments.

Pad Thai and Drunken Noodles both have a moderate calorie count, making them a good choice at a restaurant. On top of that, they're packed with veggies and protein. Pad Thai has roughly 357 calories in one cup. Drunk Noodles contain about 323 calories per cup.

What are the wide Thai noodles called? ›

Fresh wide rice noodles.

These are called sen yai in Thai, but here they are commonly called ho fun noodles (Cantonese). You can buy these at many Asian grocery stores in the refrigerated section, usually close to the tofu. If you can't find them, you can also make your own.

In Central Thailand, nam tok is mainly a spicy soup stock enriched with raw cow blood or pig's blood. Blood is often used in Thailand to enrich regular noodle dishes. One of the most popular variants of the nam tok noodle soup is known as kuai-tiao mu nam tok.

Thin Rice Noodles (Phad Thai)

Narrow and light, they can be fried, steamed, served with hot or cold broth, wrapped in spring rolls, and so much more! If you're brand new to Thai food, this is the perfect starting place—Phad Thai, a stir-fried peanut and egg dish with thin rice noodles, never disappoints.

Traditional Thai cuisine is quite healthy and largely based on vegetables, lean proteins, and fresh herbs and spices. Certain Thai dishes are high in refined carbs and may contain deep-fried foods, added sugar, or high amounts of salt.

Pad Thai is made with flat dried rice noodles which can be found in everyday supermarkets. I recommend Chang's “Thai style” rice noodles rather than the actual Thai brand rice noodles (Erawan Rice Sticks – red pack below) that are sold at supermarkets.

Compared to rice noodles, vermicelli, and rice stick noodles, Pad Thai noodles are broader and thicker, giving them a chewier texture. Pad Thai noodles are used explicitly in the popular Thai dish called Pad Thai, known for its unique blend of flavors and textures.

Pho noodles are thin, flat noodles often used in Vietnamese pho noodle soup. Pad Thai noodles. Pad Thai noodles are slightly broader than pho noodles and are used in dishes such as – the name says it all – pad Thai. Broad rice noodles are popular in Thai cuisine.