Thai Drunken Noodles (Pad Kee Mao)

Ingredients

• 1 package wide rice noodles
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 shallot, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
• 1/2 cup carrots, julienned
• 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
• 1/2 cup cooked protein of your choice (optional)

Directions

1. Soak noodles in hot water for 10 minutes, then drain and set aside.
2. Heat oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat.
3. Add garlic and shallot and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
4. Add bell pepper, mushrooms, carrots, and basil and cook for 3 minutes.
5. Add soy sauce, fish sauce, brown sugar, red pepper flakes, and black pepper and stir to combine.
6. Add noodles and stir to combine. Cook for 2 minutes.
7. Add lime juice and cooked protein (if using) and cook for 2 more minutes.
8. Serve hot.

Interesting Facts

• Pad Kee Mao is a popular street food dish in Thailand.
• The name of the dish literally translates to “drunken noodles”.
• The dish is usually made with wide rice noodles, but you can use any type of noodle you like.
• The dish is usually spicy, but you can adjust the heat level to your taste.