what is pad thai

Pad Thai is a popular Thai stir-fried rice noodle dish commonly served as street food in Thailand. The dish typically includes rice noodles stir-fried with eggs, chopped firm tofu, shrimp or chicken, flavored with tamarind juice, fish sauce, dried shrimp, garlic, shallots, palm sugar, and sometimes red chili pepper. It is often garnished with lime wedges, crushed roasted peanuts, and fresh vegetables such as bean sprouts and garlic chives. Vegetarian versions substitute soy sauce for fish sauce and omit shrimp. Pad Thai combines hot, sour, sweet, and salty flavors, making it a well-balanced and flavorful dish. It has a history linked to Thai Chinese immigrants, with Chinese stir-fried noodle techniques fused with Thai flavors. The dish gained popularity during World War II as part of a Thai government campaign to promote nationalism and reduce rice consumption. Traditionally, it is cooked in a wok and served hot. Pad Thai is considered one of the world's most delicious foods and varies slightly in recipes but always includes rice noodles and eggs as key ingredients.