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    Home > Recipes > Thai

    Pad See Ew (Wide Rice Noodles)

    Published: May 12, 2022 · by Jess Smith · Jump to Recipe · 20 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links.

    4.0K shares
    pad see ew
    pad see ew
    pad see ew

    Pad See Ew is a Thai stir-fry with fresh wide rice noodles in a savory, sweet brown sauce. This dish is guaranteed to become your favorite homemade Thai recipe. 

    rice noodles with vegetables in a white bowl

    Want to turn your kitchen into a Thai Street Food stall? Just line some tiny red stools up near the stove and whip up some Pad See Ew!

    Okay....so the red stools are optional, but don't skip the Pad See Ew. These Thai stir-fried noodles are total comfort food.

    And don't worry if you don't have access to Thai ingredients. I’ve got you covered with plenty of information on Pad See Ew Noodles and substitution ideas below.

    What is Pad See Ew?

    Pad See Ew is a Thai stir-fried noodle dish made with wide rice noodles. The noodles are seared in a wok and coated in a savory, slightly sweet brown sauce. It can include any type of protein (chicken is the most popular) and green vegetables. It is not spicy. Pad See Ew is a popular street food in Thailand and has become popular at Thai restaurants around the world.

    stirring chicken and broccoli in a wok

    Ingredients

    • Pad See Ew Noodles - Authentic Pad See Ew typically is made with wide, fresh rice noodles. The noodles are tender, silky, and have a springy texture when cooked. You do not need to pre-cook them. They will cook sufficiently in just a few minutes in the stir-fry. See below for substitute ideas.
    • Chicken (or other protein) - Boneless, skinless chicken breast is great in this recipe, but boneless, skinless chicken thighs would also work. Slice them into thin, bite-sized strips. Feel free to substitute shrimp, sliced pork or beef, or extra-firm tofu.
    • Garlic - Adds savory flavor to the dish. This goes into the marinade but will also be sautéed with the chicken for maximum flavor.
    • Chinese Broccoli (Gai Lan) - Chinese broccoli (gai lan) is available at international / Asian grocery stores. It is similar in flavor to broccoli but has small broccoli heads, long stalks, and lots of tender green leaves. This adds nice texture to the dish because the stalks retains some crunch while the heads and leaves get super tender.
    • Pad See Ew Sauce - This savory, sweet sauce is incredibly simple to make. See below for more details.

    How to make Pad See Ew Sauce

    To make Pad See Ew Sauce, combine the following:

    • 1 Tbsp Sweet Dark Soy Sauce
    • 1 Tbsp Light Soy Sauce
    • ½ tsp Granulated / White Sugar

    Sweet Dark Soy Sauce is a rich, sweet Thai soy sauce that gives the dish authentic flavor and a dark color. Light Soy Sauce is light in both flavor and color and is used to marinate the chicken and flavor the sauce. Check out my Guide to Essential Thai Ingredients for more information on varieties of Thai Soy Sauce.

    While many Thai recipes include fish sauce, Pad See Ew is not a dish that uses this savory ingredient.

    Thai soy sauces on a grey countertop

    What is a substitute for Thai soy sauce in Pad See Ew?

    If you don’t have access to the Thai soy sauces listed in this recipe, you can still make a very good (if slightly different) version of this dish. Combine the following:

    • 4 teaspoons Soy Sauce
    • 2 teaspoons Oyster Sauce
    • 1 teaspoon Light Brown Sugar
    • 1 teaspoon Honey

    What is a substitute for Chinese Broccoli / Gai Lan?

    Chinese broccoli (gai lan) is available at international / Asian grocery stores. It is similar in flavor to broccoli but has small broccoli heads, long stalks, and lots of tender green leaves. If you can’t find Chinese broccoli, use a combination of finely chopped broccoli florets and baby spinach.

    broccoli and spinach on a grey countertop

    What is a substitute for wide fresh rice noodles?

    Fresh wide rice noodles are the classic base for Pad See Ew. If you can’t find them, there are a couple of easy alternatives.

    • Dried Rice Noodles / Pad Thai Noodles - Cook these dry rice noodles according to package directions. Drain them well before adding them to the Pad See Ew. They won’t soak up sauce as well as the fresh noodles, but will still make a great dish. If using dried noodles that need to be pre-cooked, undercook them by 1 to 2 minutes so they can finish cooking in the sauce.
    • Vietnamese Fresh Rice Noodles - Look for Vietnamese fresh rice noodles like those photographed below.  These come in a variety of shapes and sizes. If I can’t find Thai Fresh Rice Noodles, I can often find this Vietnamese version in the refrigerator / produce section of my local Asian grocery store. I just use a knife to slice these into “noodles” that are about 2 inches wide. 
    2 packages of rice noodles on a grey countertop
    wide rice noodles on a cutting board next to a knife

    How to make Pad See Ew

    1. Marinate chicken - Briefly marinate chicken (20 minutes minimum) in light soy sauce and garlic.
    2. Make sauce - Whisk together sauce ingredients.
    3. Cook chicken and Chinese Broccoli - Cook chicken and Chinese broccoli in a skillet, saute pan, or wok.
    4. Stir in sauce and noodles - Add in sauce and pad see ew noodles. Cook everything together until noodles are lightly seared and coated in sauce.
    5. Enjoy!

    Recipe Tips

    • Use a wok - There are many benefits to using a wok to make a Thai stir-fried noodles. A wok will help the ingredients to cook evenly and quickly. Check out my post on How to Cook with a Wok for my best tips and tricks.
    • Prep ingredients ahead - This dish will cook fast. Be sure to prep all of your ingredients ahead of time so they are ready to add to the wok as soon as you need them.
    • Cooking noodles until tender - Wide rice noodles cook quickly, so keep a very close eye on them and remove them from the heat as soon as they are tender. (If using dried noodles that need to be pre-cooked as a substitute, be sure to undercook them by 1 to 2 minutes so that they can finish cooking in the sauce.)
    • Caramelize / char the noodles - Authentic Pad See Ew contains noodles that are lightly charred because they are cooked in a very hot, very large wok. If you crank up the heat on your skillet at home before adding the noodles, you can achieve this unique feature. However, do not risk overcooking the noodles to get that char. Always stop cooking the noodles as soon as they are tender.
    • Cooking chicken separately from the noodles - In a stir-fry with just a few ingredients like Pad See Ew, it's not necessary to cook the chicken separately from the noodles, but you can always choose to cook each component separately to guarantee that they cook just right. Simply stir everything together at the end.
    rice noodles with vegetables in a white bowl

    FAQs

    What's the difference between Pad See Ew and Pad Thai?

    These Thai stir-fry noodle dishes each use different noodles and sauce. Pad See Ew uses fresh wide rice noodles and is cooked in a savory-sweet sauce that is dark brown in color. Pad Thai uses dried rice noodles cooked in a savory-sweet-tart sauce that is light red in color.

    Are Pad See Ew or Drunken Noodles better?

    Pad See Ew and Drunken Noodles are both Thai stir-fried noodles that use the same type of noodles - fresh, wide rice noodles - in a savory brown sauce. The key difference is that Drunken Noodles include fish sauce and spicy chilis while Pad See Ew does not. If you like spice, go for the Drunken Noodles!

    What is Pad See Ew sauce made of?

    Pad Sew Ew is a very simple sauce. It includes Sweet Dark Thai Soy Sauce, Light Thai Soy Sauce, a small amount of sugar, and garlic.

    How can I make a vegetarian version of this recipe?

    Substitute extra-firm tofu for chicken.

    Is Thai Sweet Soy Sauce the same as Indonesian Kecap Manis?

    These sweet, thick, dark sauces are very similar and can be used interchangeably in most recipes.

    More Thai Noodles

    • Easy Pad Thai
    • 20-Minute Thai Chicken Peanut Noodles
    • Thai Glass Noodle Salad
    • Crunchy Thai Ramen Noodle Salad
    • Thai Noodle Mason Jars with Peanut Dressing

     

    Favorite Tools for Thai Recipes

    • Joyce Chen Carbon Steel Wok - This affordable wok is the only one I use. I’ve had it for 10+ years and the only care it needs is to be washed out, dried well, and rubbed with oil before storing. 
    • Wok Spatula - This spatula fits perfectly around the curved edges of a wok. 
    • Splatter Screen - Perfect for keeping your stovetop (reasonably) clean.
    Square image of Pad See Ew with chicken and broccoli on a white plate
    Print Recipe
    4.45 from 43 votes

    Pad See Ew (Thai Wide Rice Noodles with Chicken) Recipe

    Pad See Ew (Thai Wide Rice Noodles with Chicken) is a Thai Street Food Favorite made with wide rice noodles coated in a rich, savory, slightly sweet brown sauce. It takes just a few minutes to make and may easily become your favorite make-at-home Thai recipe.
    Prep Time30 mins
    Cook Time8 mins
    Total Time38 mins
    Course: Main Dish
    Cuisine: Thai
    Keyword: Chicken Recipe, easy Thai recipe, Thai noodles, weeknight-friendly
    Servings: 2
    Calories: 569kcal
    Author: Jess Smith via Inquiring Chef
    Cost: $8.00

    Equipment

    • Wok

    Ingredients

    Marinated Chicken

    • 10 ounces Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast, thinly sliced
    • 1 Tablespoon Light Thai Soy Sauce
    • 4 cloves Garlic, minced

    Pad See Ew Sauce

    • 1 Tablespoon Sweet Dark Soy Sauce
    • 1 Tablespoon Light Soy Sauce
    • ½ teaspoon Granulated / White Sugar

    Noodle Stir-Fry

    • 10 ounces Chinese Broccoli / Gai Lan, chopped (substitute 8 oz chopped baby broccoli with 2 oz baby spinach, but keep them separate)
    • 10 ounces Fresh Wide Rice Noodles (see note)

    Instructions

    Marinate chicken:

    • Combine chicken with 1 Tablespoon light Thai soy sauce and garlic. Marinate for at least 20 minutes and up to 1 day.

    Make sauce:

    • Whisk together sweet dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, and sugar. Set aside.

    Stir Fry:

    • Heat a wok over medium-high heat. When wok is hot, add in chicken and marinade. (The marinade will simmer and “cook” with the chicken, so don’t worry about anything raw remaining.) Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring frequently, until most of the marinade has cooked off and chicken is about halfway cooked.
    • Add 2 teaspoons of sauce and broccoli (if using Chinese broccoli, add it all at once; if using the substitute, add baby broccoli now but reserve baby spinach).
    • Saute until broccoli is nearly tender and chicken is nearly cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes. (Note: if the pan starts to look dry, add a splash of cooking oil as everything cooks.)
    • Add remaining sauce and noodles (and baby spinach if using).
    • Keep cooking everything together, tossing it constantly, until the noodles are warmed through and coated in sauce, 1 to 3 minutes more.
    • Serve warm.

    Notes

    Sauce substitute - If you don’t have access to the Thai ingredients listed in this sauce, you can still make a very good version of Pad See Ew. Use 2 teaspoon of regular soy sauce in the marinade instead of 1 tablespoon of light Thai soy sauce. For the Pad See Ew Sauce use:
    • 4 teaspoon Soy Sauce
    • 2 teaspoon Oyster Sauce
    • 1 teaspoon Light Brown Sugar
    • 1 teaspoon Honey
    Chicken - This recipe is also great made with pork, shrimp, or tofu. 
    Wide Rice Noodles - If you can’t find the Fresh Wide Rice Noodles used in this recipe, use dried rice noodles (sometimes labeled as Pad Thai Noodles) and cook them according to package directions so they are very tender. Drain the noodles well and add them instead of the Fresh Wide Rice Noodles. These don’t soak the sauce up quite as well as fresh noodles, but they make a very good approximation of the dish. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 569kcal | Carbohydrates: 72g | Protein: 38g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 91mg | Sodium: 1480mg | Potassium: 1055mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 926IU | Vitamin C: 130mg | Calcium: 90mg | Iron: 3mg

     

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    4.0K shares

    About Jess

    Hi! I'm Jess. I am the recipe creator and photographer behind the 900+ recipes you’ll find on Inquiring Chef. As a mom to three young kids and professional cook, my mission is to make every moment in the kitchen and around the table count. If you’re looking for easy, flavorful, family-approved recipes, you’ve come to the right place! Learn more about me here.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jean

      March 12, 2020 at 2:55 pm

      Finally a pad see ew recipe I found that doesn't use oyster sauce. I will look for the sweet sweet soy sauce but do you think Kikkoman soy sauce is ok for the light soy sauce in this recipe? I don't want a bunch of soy sauces and usually have the Kikkoman on hand.

      Reply
    2. Patti

      November 22, 2020 at 5:37 pm

      5 stars
      Thank you. Excellent recipe. I will look forward to enjoying your website.

      Reply
      • Karla

        March 01, 2021 at 6:13 pm

        5 stars
        I tried this recipe it didn't come out as dark/caramelized however it was beyond delicious. Thank you for sharing this easy and delicious recipe.

        Reply
    3. Sarah

      March 06, 2021 at 11:42 pm

      THANK YOU! I have been chasing a good pad see ew recipe for literally a decade. The ratio of thin soy to sweet soy is absolutely what I was looking for...I quadrupled the amount of sauce because I made a large batch but seriously, you helped me add a staple to our routine.

      Reply
    4. Miriam

      June 27, 2021 at 10:54 am

      My wide noodles package doesn’t have English cooking directions so — how do I cook them?

      Reply
      • Jess Smith

        July 13, 2021 at 8:44 am

        If you're using fresh noodles, most can be prepared by just soaking in warm water and gently breaking them apart with your hands (if the noodles stick). The amount of time will vary depending on the brand, but just keep checking them every 5 minutes or so until they are tender bit still have a bit of "give" to them. Hope that helps!

        Reply
    5. Conrad Nebeker

      January 25, 2022 at 8:14 pm

      No one in Thailand eats this with chicken…

      Reply
      • Jess Smith

        January 25, 2022 at 8:18 pm

        Hi Conrad - interesting comment. I must disagree. I lived in Bangkok for five years and saw many Thai people eat it with chicken. Since most people living in Thailand (including myself) request this and many dishes from street stalls made-to-order, it can and is made with any protein.

        Reply
    6. Catharine

      February 01, 2022 at 5:47 pm

      5 stars
      Amazing ! And super easy ! I doubled EVERYTHING to serve 4 as a main dish . Chinese Broccoli is so flavourful and dried LG Pad Thai noodles were perfect in this dish . I had to make the Sauce Sub & it turned out well ! Sesame seeds as a topper & extra Soy Sauce too . Delish 🙂

      Reply
      • Jess Smith

        February 03, 2022 at 1:18 pm

        So glad you enjoyed it! It's definitely one of my family's favorites.

        Reply
    7. Jim Damico

      February 25, 2022 at 10:26 pm

      Any chance of learning how to make homemade rice noodles? I'm in rural Nepal and would love to make something like this here but noodles (other than spaghetti or ramen) are not available.

      PS. Thanks for all the Thai recipes. Definitely reminds me of my time there. 🙂

      Reply
      • Jess Smith

        March 04, 2022 at 6:11 pm

        Hi Jim - I've never dabbled in making them myself, though I'd be so curious to hear how it goes! Have you ever checked out The Woks of Life? Their recipes are fantastic and very well tested and researched - https://thewoksoflife.com/homemade-rice-noodles/

        Reply
    8. Chris

      June 15, 2022 at 6:02 pm

      3 stars
      Solid 3 but only because I have not mastered the Asian dry noodle so mine were under "cooked" so I am going to work on that. Never cooked with Chinese Broccoli before and it was really the best part for me. I have had it in dishes before but never purchased it. Next time, I will seek out fresh noodles and dice the broccoli stems smaller. I ended up dousing it with Siracha because nothing is ever hot enough for me.

      Reply
      • Jess Smith

        June 19, 2022 at 2:06 pm

        Agreed Chris - the noodle texture is always the toughest part. I hope you'll try them again - it only takes a couple times to master it!

        Reply
    9. Carolyn

      December 08, 2022 at 12:18 pm

      Where can I buy these Asian products? Is there an online store?

      Reply
      • Jess Smith

        December 10, 2022 at 9:02 pm

        Hi Carolyn! Do you have an international / Asian market nearby? That's a great place to find these ingredients. They're widely available anywhere Asian ingredients are sold. I also love https://www.templeofthai.com/food/ for online Asian ingredients to have shipped home. You can get any Thai pantry staples through their website.

        Reply
    10. Kellbelle

      December 16, 2022 at 1:09 pm

      5 stars
      So nice to have your substitutions!
      Your descriptions are absolutely amazing.
      Thank you kindly, k

      Reply
      • Jess Smith

        December 16, 2022 at 11:12 pm

        You're so welcome - thank you so much for the great note! Glad you enjoyed them!

        Reply
    11. Molly

      January 19, 2023 at 6:54 pm

      4 stars
      The flavor of this was spot on! However, it was a bit dry. I doubled the sauce and that helped.

      Reply
      • Jess Smith

        January 21, 2023 at 2:56 pm

        Thanks so much for the feedback Molly! I never regret increasing the sauce.

        Reply

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