Simple Pad Thai Stir-Fried Rice Noodles with Homemade Sauce
Flavorful Pad Thai Stir-Fried Rice Noodles Using Dried Shrimp: An Easy Recipe
Don’t worry if you don’t have fresh shrimp or seafood! This is a super simple Pad Thai stir-fried rice noodle recipe that’s packed with flavor using just dried shrimp. It’s surprisingly easy to make and incredibly delicious, so be sure to give it a try. You can easily recreate a restaurant-quality dish at home without needing a pre-made Pad Thai sauce.
Stir-Fried Rice Noodle Ingredients- Dried Rice Noodles 100g
- Crispy Bean Sprouts 120g
- Fresh Eggs 2
- Whole Garlic Cloves 4
- Cooking Oil 3 Tbsp
- Dried Shrimp (a handful, adjust to taste)
- Scallions or Green Onions, a small amount (approx. 20g)
Simple Pad Thai Sauce (Golden Ratio)- Oyster Sauce 1 Tbsp
- Fish Sauce 1 Tbsp (Salty fish sauce is also good)
- Soy Sauce 1 Tbsp
- Sugar 1/2 Tbsp (adjust sweetness)
- Water 5 Tbsp
- Oyster Sauce 1 Tbsp
- Fish Sauce 1 Tbsp (Salty fish sauce is also good)
- Soy Sauce 1 Tbsp
- Sugar 1/2 Tbsp (adjust sweetness)
- Water 5 Tbsp
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Begin by soaking the dried rice noodles in plenty of cold water for about 2 hours before cooking. If you’re using lukewarm water, 1 hour should suffice. Soaking them beforehand ensures the noodles are chewy and tender when stir-fried.
Step 2
Crush the whole garlic cloves with the side of a knife and then mince them coarsely. Cut the scallions or green onions into 5-6 cm lengths. Rinse the bean sprouts thoroughly under running water and drain them well in a colander. Excess water can make the noodles soggy.
Step 3
Now, let’s make the Pad Thai sauce. In a small bowl, combine 1 Tbsp oyster sauce, 1 Tbsp fish sauce, 1 Tbsp soy sauce, ½ Tbsp sugar, and 5 Tbsp water. Stir well with chopsticks until the sugar is completely dissolved. You can use anchovy fish sauce or other types of salty fish sauce.
Step 4
Heat a large frying pan or wok over high heat and add 3 Tbsp of cooking oil. Once the pan is hot, add the minced garlic and stir-fry until fragrant and golden brown, infusing the oil with garlic flavor.
Step 5
As the garlic becomes aromatic, add the dried shrimp and stir-fry them together with the garlic for about 1 minute until they release their rich, nutty aroma. This step is key to developing deep flavor.
Step 6
Once the dried shrimp are fragrant, add the pre-soaked rice noodles and the prepared Pad Thai sauce to the pan. Stir-fry quickly over high heat, ensuring the ingredients don’t clump together. If you’re using less noodles or bean sprouts than the recipe suggests, consider holding back about 1 Tbsp of the sauce. You can add it later after tasting to adjust the seasoning.
Step 7
When the noodles are tender and coated with the sauce, push the stir-fried mixture to one side of the pan. Crack the 2 eggs into the empty space. Let them set slightly before gently scrambling them with chopsticks or a spatula. Once the eggs are cooked, mix them thoroughly with the noodles.
Step 8
Now, add the fresh bean sprouts and stir-fry very briefly, for just about 10 seconds. Overcooking the bean sprouts will make them lose their crispiness and release water, which can negatively impact the taste of your Pad Thai.
Step 9
Turn off the heat immediately once everything is well-combined and briefly stir-fried. Finally, toss in the chopped scallions or green onions and stir them in with the residual heat for a final mix. Your delicious stir-fried rice noodles are now ready!
Step 10
See how simple making Pad Thai can be? You’ll be amazed by the taste! The balance of flavors from the sauce and ingredients is perfect. While traditional Pad Thai often includes tamarind for a sour note, this recipe focuses on the savory and nutty flavors from the dried shrimp and vegetables, omitting the sourness. Enjoy this delightful stir-fried rice noodle dish with the fragrant and crisp textures of the bean sprouts.
