Foolproof Semi-Authentic Pad Thai

A thoroughly tested, semi-authentic Pad Thai recipe designed for home cooks, featuring perfectly balanced sweet, sour, and salty flavors, springy noodles, and a mix of shrimp, tofu, peanuts, and fresh vegetables. This recipe walks you through every step, including sourcing the right noodles, prepping all ingredients before cooking, and mastering the stir-fry technique for restaurant-quality results.

IntermediateThaiServes 2

Printable version with shopping checklist

Source Video
1h 34m
Prep
11m
Cook
13m
Cleanup
1h 58m
Total

Cost Breakdown

Total cost:$19.30
Per serving:$9.65

Critical Success Points

  • • Soak rice noodles in room temperature water for 1 hour (not hot water).
  • • Make Pad Thai sauce with correct tamarind and sugar balance.
  • • Stir-fry shrimp just until opaque; do not overcook.
  • • Do not burn garlic and aromatics.
  • • Add water to noodles gradually; avoid soggy or raw noodles.

Safety Warnings

  • • Be careful with high heat and hot oil to avoid burns.
  • • Use caution when handling raw shrimp and eggs; wash hands and utensils.
  • • Do not leave cooked Pad Thai at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
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