The flavors of Thailand are packed full of delicious spices, tasty vegetables, and steaming piles of rice or noodles. Think delectable curries and piles of rice noodles blended with scrumptious sauces.
Two of the most popular dishes for anyone who loves Thai food are Drunken Noodles, or Pad Kee Mao, and Pad Thai. Both of these dishes are delectable choices for your next Thai meal.
However, while these noodle dishes may sound similar, they’re actually pretty different! Here’s what you should know about Drunken Noodles vs Pad Thai.
The Ingredients
One of the first ways that Drunken Noodles and Pad Thai differ is in their ingredients. While both these dishes involve traditional Thai spices, the flavor profile is actually quite different.
Pad Thai is made from a tamarind sauce that incorporates fish sauce and palm sugar to create a subtly sweet taste. Chicken or tofu is then tossed in the sauce and placed on top of a pile of rice noodles.
In contrast, Drunken Noodles are a stir-fry that has a savory sauce. This sauce is a mixture of soy sauce, fish sauce, and oyster sauce poured over piles of vegetables and fresh wide rice noodles.
Like Pad Thai, Drunken Noodles ingredients usually involve tofu, chicken, or another protein. The spicier flavor of Thai Drunken Noodles, however, can also be paired with beef or another darker meat while Pad Thai is more likely to contain chicken or prawns.
The Flavors
Another key difference between Pad Thai and Drunken Noodles is their flavor profile. Both of these are fairly sweet dishes when compared to other Thai foods, but they still have very different flavors.
For one, Pad Thai features Umami flavors and bold, nutty tastes. This is enhanced by incorporating crushed peanuts into the sauce, which brings out the crunchiness and complements the tamarind paste.
In contrast, Drunken Noodles have much more of a kick to them. Their savory sauce always involves Thai Basil, which adds more spice to the sauce than you’ll find in Pad Thai.
The Calories
We don’t always think of take-out as being healthy, but Thai food offers some surprising health benefits. And, Thai dishes don’t tend to be terribly high in calories, either.
Pad Thai and Drunken Noodles both have a moderate calorie count, making them a good choice at a restaurant. On top of that, they’re packed with veggies and protein.
Pad Thai has roughly 357 calories in one cup. Drunk Noodles contain about 323 calories per cup. That means that the calorie count for these recipes is fairly similar, giving you a similar health profile regardless of which you order.
The Lowdown on Drunken Noodles vs Pad Thai
Both Pad Thai and Drunken Noodles are great choices for anyone who enjoys exotic flavors. And, now that you know the key differences, you’re ready to order a plate for yourself!If you’re ready to put this information on Drunken Noodles vs Pad Thai to the test, head on over to Thai Ginger. Place an order online for a steaming pile of Drunken Noodles. We guarantee you won’t be disappointed!
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FAQs
Pad Thai is made from a tamarind sauce that incorporates fish sauce and palm sugar to create a subtly sweet taste. Chicken or tofu is then tossed in the sauce and placed on top of a pile of rice noodles. In contrast, Drunken Noodles are a stir-fry that has a savory sauce.
What Thai food is similar to Drunken Noodles? ›
There are many similarities between the two Thai food dishes of Pad See Ew and Drunken Noodles. Both hold Chinese origins as noodles were believed to be carried over to Thailand by Chinese workers in the 1700s.
What is the flavor of Drunken Noodles? ›
The Thai dish also known as pad kee mao, consists of wide rice noodles, an array of vegetables, meat (or plant-based alternatives), soy sauce, fish sauce, garlic, and chili peppers. This combination of ingredients and flavors is a like party in your mouth. It's spicy, sweet, salty, and has pops of umami.
What is the most popular Thai noodle dish? ›
Pad Thai. As one of the most popular noodle dishes in Thailand, pad thai is a household name when it comes to authentic cuisine. Made with thin rice stick noodles, chefs stir fry egg, scallions, bean sprouts, and crushed peanuts with shrimp to deliver an unforgettable blend of flavors!
What's another name for Drunken Noodles? ›
Drunken Noodles, also known as Pad Kee Mao (ผัดขี้เมา), is a stir fry noodle dish that is very popular in Thailand and found in most Thai restaurants.
Which is better for you, pad Thai or Drunken Noodles? ›
Pad Thai and Drunken Noodles both have a moderate calorie count, making them a good choice at a restaurant. On top of that, they're packed with veggies and protein. Pad Thai has roughly 357 calories in one cup. Drunk Noodles contain about 323 calories per cup.
What's the difference between Drunken Noodles and pad see you? ›
The main differences between Drunken Noodles and Pad See Ew are that Drunken Noodles has some spice, while Pad See Ew has a sweeter taste. There are also some differences in the components used, which alter the taste of the meal. If you're a Thai food fan, you may have seen Drunken Noodles or Pad See Ew on a menu.
What flavor is Pad Thai noodles? ›
Pad Thai Ingredients
The dish is mixed with a tamarind sauce and served with lime. The flavors of this dish are centered around a sweet-savory fusion. Salty, nutty, and with that slightly sweet sauce, it's a treat for tastebuds! Of course, every Pad Thai can be different.
Do Thai people eat Drunken Noodles? ›
Pad kee mao ผัดขี้เมา or drunken noodles is stir fried noodles with holy basil and lots of chilies. It's a cult-favourite Thai street food.
Is Pad See Ew or Pad Thai better? ›
While both these recipes are carb happy, Pad See Ew has fewer calories than Pad Thai. As it's also the less sweet of the two, Pad See Ew is considered slightly healthier.
Best: Pad Thai
It's made from rice noodles sauteed with spices, peanuts, egg, and bean sprouts. Get it with shrimp, chicken, or tofu for lean protein, and extra veggies for fiber and vitamins.
What is similar to Pad Thai? ›
Pad see ew
Simple yet full of flavour, pad see ew literally translates to “stir-fried soy sauce noodles.” As its name suggests, this popular noodle dish builds upon a soy sauce base with other ingredients like oyster sauce, dark soy sauce, and fish sauce to create a bold, delicious dish.
What Thai dish is similar to Drunken Noodles? ›
Similarities Between Pad See Ew and Drunken Noodles
Both dishes are stir-fried with rice noodles and often a protein. Both provide a flavor profile that is ultimately sweet, similar to other Thai noodle dishes. They are the most popular Thai dishes around the world, with Pad See Ew being the most popular.
What is drunken noodle sauce made of? ›
Soak rice noodles in hot water until flexible, 10 to 15 minutes. Occasionally move the noodles around to separate them. Drain the water and cover with a wet paper towel. Combine oyster sauce, soy sauce, Asian fish sauce, maple syrup, sugar, and water in a small bowl.
Is chow fun the same as Drunken Noodles? ›
Pad Kee Mao, also known as Drunken Noodles, is the supercharged aromatic and herbaceous Thai version of Chow fun using the same wide flat rice noodles. I can eat Pad Kee Mao anytime and definitely do not need to be drunk to enjoy it.
What is the difference between Drunken Noodles and lo mein? ›
Generally, you're able to taste more of the oyster sauce in Drunken Noodles whereas the sesame oil flavoring of Lo Mein is more prominent. Drunken Noodles is often served spicy whereas Lo Mein generally has a very mild spice.
Is Drunken Noodles real Thai food? ›
Drunken noodles or drunkard noodles is a Thai stir-fried noodle dish similar to phat si-io but spicier.
What are Chiang Mai noodles called? ›
Chiang Mai curried noodles (Khao soi gai)
