What is the difference between Pad Thai and Paht Thai?!
What is the difference between Pad Thai and Paht Thai?
I've had both. Paht Thai in Seattle, loved it. And here at our local Thai restaurant - Pad Thai. They are very similar but different none the less. I figured out how to cook Pad Thai, but I'm missing something... recipes are appreciated...
Answers: My research shows that they are the exact same dish with just different spelling variations (apparently quite common in the Thai language when translated to English). The slight taste difference may actually be from the variations in the pad/paht thai recipe itself: I have seen some recipes that include tamarind and others that dont. Some recipes use dried shrimp, others use fresh shrimp. The differences are minor, but nonetheless a Thai favorite!
You can always ask your Thai restaurant waiter/waitress to confirm, but I think they are the same dish only spelled differently. Have you ever seen them both on the same menu?
This is a good recipe:
Pad Thai Noodles (Kwaytiow Paht Thai)
Serves 6–8 / Thais usually enjoy paht Thai at a noodle shop or market cafe, where expert cooks make it their signature dish. In its original country-style form, paht Thai included salty dried shrimp and small rods of crisp fried tofu, but Thais love to personalize the dish, so interpretations abound. It calls for lots of ingredients, but once you start cooking, it goes fast. To make this vegan, simply omit the egg.
Ingredients:
1/2 pound dried rice noodles (Thai variety)
1 egg
1 teaspoon canola or olive oil
3 tablespoons tamarind chutney (or 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce plus 1 tablespoon lime juice plus 1 tablespoon sugar)
2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons sugar
1-2 teaspoons salt (optional)
1/2 teaspoon dried red chili flakes or chili powder (optional)
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 tablespoon coarsely chopped garlic
1/2 cup chopped green onions (green and white divided to add separately)
1/2 cup firm tofu, cut into 1-inch rods
1/2 cup sliced shiitakes or other mushrooms
Water, as needed
2 cups fresh bean sprouts, divided
1/4 cup coarsely chopped dry-roasted, unsalted peanuts
2 tbsp fresh lime juice
1/3 cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro
Lime wedges, for garnish
METHOD:
1. Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil; add rice noodles and remove from heat. Let noodles steep 3 minutes. Drain, rinse in cold water, drain again, and place by the stove.
2. Beat egg with 1 teaspoon oil. In a small nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, add egg and swirl to cover the pan in a thin sheet. Cook 30 seconds to 1 minute, until egg is set. Flip to cook other side briefly, and turn out onto a plate to cool. Roll up egg and cut thin slices crosswise, to make long strips. Set aside.
3. Combine tamarind chutney (or hoisin, lime juice, and sugar), soy sauce, sugar, and salt and chili flakes, if using, in a small bowl, stirring well to dissolve sugar. Place noodles, sauce mixture, and all remaining ingredients by the stove, along with a serving platter and a spatula or long-handled tongs for tossing the noodles.
4. In a large, deep skillet or wok, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium heat, then add garlic and the white part of the chopped green onions. Cook 1 minute, then add tofu and mushrooms. Toss well and cook 1 minute more, until mushrooms are shiny and tender.
5. Add noodles and spread them out to cover the pan. Gently scoop and scrape to turn and heat evenly. Add tamarind–soy sauce mixture and continue cooking, turning and scooping, to cook and season evenly. Add a splash or two of water to prevent sticking, as needed.
6. Add half the bean sprouts, reserved egg strips, green part of the green onions, peanuts, lime juice, and cilantro. Remove from heat. Toss to mix well. Mound mixture on a serving platter, arrange remaining bean sprouts and lime wedges on the side, and serve hot. There are many different ways to spell the same thing in Thai, as with this case. The Pad Thai that you ate was probably different just because they were made in different restuaraunts, so different ingredients are added to it.
Here's a good recipe:
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/pad-thai-2/... They are the same thing, just spelled slightly differently due to owner's preferred translation. It is a very popular dish, but like any favorite dish, it will taste slightly different depending on where the chef is from.
Think about american favorites -- meatloaf --- every family has a preferred recipe. some have veggies in it, some have sauce on top, some have cheese & bacon on it, some use pork/veal/beef some use turkey.
Same with Pad Thai -- essentially all contain rice noodles, with shrimp or chicken, and a spicy chili sauce. other embellishments include scallions, egg shreds, peanuts, cilantro and lime.
I've enjoyed ordering it in many locations,and enjoy the variations. They are the same dish. I've had Pad Thai at so many Thai restaurants and can tell which restaurant will have the best food based on this dish. If it tastes great and not too greasy, they'll have great food. If it tastes yucky and/or is too greasy, the rest of the food won't be up to par. Love the dish... they are tha same thing..
just spelled differently since they are trying to make out a thai name in english.