A spicy stir fry, this Thai Drunken Noodles (Pad Kee Mao) is a delicious combination of Rice Noodles, Veggies, and an array of sauces. Here is how to make it.
Looking for more Noodle Recipes, here are some of my favorites: Pad Thai Noodles, Hakka Noodles, Chilli Garlic Noodles, Peanut Sesame Noodles, and Schezwan Noodles.
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About This Recipe
A combination of Rice Noodles, Chicken, Holy Basil Leaves, Sauces, and Vegetables, this stir fry noodle is an appetizing meal in itself. Spicy and savory, these authentic Drunken Noodles or Pad Kee Mao are very easy to make and get ready under 30 minutes.
The ones that you get in the streets of Thailand are very spicy, but you can always control the heat if you are making them at home. Right?
There is no alcohol in this Noodle Recipe. It is said that they are the perfect noodles to enjoy after a night of drinking and thus they are named Drunken Noodles. They are also considered great to cure the hangover.
The sauces that are used in this dish definitely oomph the flavor and take this dish to a different level.
There are many variations of these noodles, especially in the western markets, but traditionally it is made with rice noodles, Thai holy basil, and chicken. Quite often people in Thailand also use Baby Corn in their Drunken Noodle recipe.
You can substitute Chicken with Shrimp or any Sea Food to make these noodles. But if you are looking for a vegetarian option, feel free to use Tofu instead of Chicken.
Also, whenever I make these Noodles at home, I serve it along with Chinese Spring Rolls and a simple Shrimp Stir Fry with a side of Virgin Pineapple Mojito. This makes for a great Brunch meal!
These noodles are,
- Easy to make
- Delicious
- Perfect for your quick meals
- Loaded with vegetables
- A favorite at home
Ingredients
Noodles – Use Flat Rice Noodles to make this recipe, the same that we use in Pad Thai. They are easily available at any grocery store. Make sure that you pick the widest dried rice noodles that you get in the grocery store.
If you can’t find rice noodles, you can use any other noodle you like.
Sauce – The sauces that are used in this dish are dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, fish sauce, and oyster sauce. The combination of these sauces adds a delicious flavor, that makes this dish even more delicious.
Thai Holy Basil – This is a must in this dish, and the use of Thai Holy Basil gives this Noodles a unique taste. If you can’t find it use simple Thai basil or even Italian Basil.
Vegetables – I have used Onion, Baby Corn, Bell Peppers, Green Onions, But you can add more veggies such as Broccoli, Carrots, etc to make it filling.
Oil – You can use any vegetable oil of your choice to make these delicious noodles.
Other Ingredients – Some more basic ingredients required are garlic and Thai Birds Eye Chillies.
Thai Birds Eye Chilli adds that right amount of heat and spiciness to the dish. If you can’t find it add in finely chopped fresh red chilies.
Step By Step Recipe
Mix sauce ingredients in bowl and keep aside.
Cook the rice noodles according to package directions and keep aside.
Heat vegetable oil in a wok.
In the same oil, add garlic, chillies and onion.
Next, add baby corn, bell peppers, spring onion greens, and Thai holy basil and saute for 2-3 minutes.
Add the sauce, cooked noodles and mix everything well.
Serve hot.
Frequently Asked Questions
If Thai Holy Basil is not available, you can use Thai Basil. No these two are not the same, Thai Basil tastes like regular basil with a slight aniseed flavor. Usually, restaurants outside Thailand, use Thai basil as holy Thai basil is difficult to find.
Thai basil and holy basil have their own special flavor, that makes this dish even more delicious. The flavor that these two have is missing from regular old Italian basil, so make sure you use one of them. If you don’t find any of these two, then you can definitely use the regular Italian Basil.
Both these noodles are very different in terms of taste and flavor. Whereas Pad Thai is nutty and sweet, Pad Kee Mao or Drunken Noodles is spicy and savory. Also, we use Thai Basil in Drunken Noodles, whereas it is not used in Pad Thai.
If we talk about Pad See Ew, this recipe also doesn’t use the Thai Holy Basil and is not as spicy as Drunken Noodles. The sauce of Pad See Ew is also lighter than Pad Kee Mao.
Variations
Vegan – If looking for a vegan alternative, just substitute fish sauce with soy sauce.
With Chicken – To make these noodles with chicken, just add in cubed chicken pieces in heated oil and take them out once they are cooked nicely. Now follow the same process at the veg version and add the cooked chicken later and give it a mix.
Serving Suggestions
These noodles are so flavourful that they are served on its own with some Chilli Oil.
If you are making it for your Brunch, then you can serve some Thai Curries on the side or even a soup as a starter.
Recipe Card
Drunken Noodles Recipe
Equipment
- Wok
Ingredients
- 8 oz Rice Noodles
- 2 tbsp Vegetable Oil
- 300 g Boneless Chicken Thighs (Cut into small pieces)
- 1 tsp Garlic (Finely Chopped)
- 2-3 Thai Bird's Eye Chillies (Chopepd)
- 1/4 cup Onion (Thinly Sliced)
- 4-5 Baby Corn (Sliced into quarters)
- 1/2 cup Scallion Greens (Cut into 2 inch pieces)
- 1 cup Thai Holy Basil
For the sauce
- 2 tsp Dark Soy Sauce
- 2 tsp Light Soy Sauce
- 2 tsp Fish Sauce
- 2 tsp Oyster Sauce
- 2 tsp Brown Sugar
- 1/4 tsp Ground Pepper
- 1 tbsp Water
Instructions
- Mix sauce ingredients in a bowl and keep aside.
- Cook the rice noodles according to package directions and keep aside.
- Heat vegetable oil in a wok.
- Once the oil is hot, add chicken pieces and fry until they are nicely browned.
- Remove them on a plate.
- In the same oil, add garlic, chillies, onion, baby corn, spring onion greens and Thai holy basil and sauce for 2-3 minutes.
- Add the sauce, cooked noodles and chicken and mix everything well.
- Serve hot.
Did you make this recipe? Let me know!