Foreigner FriendlyYes
✗VegetarianAdventurous
Spice Level
Price Range40-80 THB
About This Dish
Thailand's most iconic noodle dish, born when Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram promoted it as a national dish after WWII to unify the country through food. Flat rice noodles are wok-tossed at screaming heat with a precise balance of tamarind sourness, palm sugar sweetness, and fish sauce saltiness, alongside shrimp, tofu, egg, and bean sprouts. Squeeze fresh lime over the top, mix in crushed peanuts, and add chili flakes to taste — each diner seasons their own portion at the table.
Flavor Profile
The balance of tastes in this dish
Sweet1/5
Sour1/5
Salty3/5
Spicy1/5
Umami3/5
History & Origin
Created in the 1930s-40s as part of a government campaign to promote Thai national identity and reduce rice consumption. Prime Minister Plaek Phibunsongkhram promoted it as 'Thai noodles' to unify the country through food.
Best Time to Eat
Perfect Pairings
Fresh lime juiceIced Thai tea
Insider Tips
- 1Ask for 'pad Thai kung' to get it with prawns instead of plain
- 2The best pad thai carts are the ones with a long queue of locals
How to Order
Point and say this to order like a local
Pronunciation:pad tie
ผัดไทย
Say this: Pad Thai
Cuisine Region: Central Thai
Price Range: 40-80 THB
Best Time to Eat: Anytime, especially lunch
Where to Try It
The best city to experience this dish
Bangkok
The best city to experience this dish
More from Central Thai
Other dishes from the same region
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