Pad See Ew and Drunken Noodles are both Thai noodle dishes that are popular in Thai restaurants around the world. Though they may seem similar, the two dishes are quite different in terms of their preparation and ingredients.
Pad See Ew is a stir-fried noodle dish made with wide rice noodles known as sen yai. The noodles are stir-fried with eggs, garlic, soy sauce, and dark soy sauce, as well as any combination of vegetables and protein, such as chicken, pork, beef, shrimp, or tofu. The noodles are usually cooked until they are slightly crispy and chewy.
Drunken Noodles, also called Pad Kee Mao, are made with wide, flat rice noodles known as sen lek. The noodles are stir-fried with garlic, shallots, chili peppers, fish sauce, and dark soy sauce, as well as any combination of vegetables and protein. The noodles are typically cooked until they are soft and chewy.
The two dishes also differ in terms of flavor. Pad See Ew has a sweet flavor thanks to the addition of sugar. It is also somewhat salty due to the soy sauce, but not as spicy as Drunken Noodles. Drunken Noodles, on the other hand, are spicier and often have a hint of sourness thanks to the addition of fish sauce.
Though both dishes are popular in Thai cuisine, the two are quite different in terms of preparation and flavor. Pad See Ew has a sweet and salty flavor, while Drunken Noodles has a spicier, more sour flavor. Both dishes use wide flat rice noodles, but the noodles are cooked differently to achieve different textures. Ultimately, the choice between Pad See Ew and Drunken Noodles comes down to personal preference.
The Difference in Ingredients
Pad See Ew and Drunken Noodles are two popular noodle dishes in Thai cuisine. The two dishes have some similarities in their ingredients, yet there are enough differences between them to make them distinct dishes.
Pad See Ew is made with wide rice noodles, egg, Chinese broccoli, garlic and sometimes pork. The noodles are stir-fried in a sweet and savory soy-based sauce. This dish is often flavored with fish sauce and sugar.
Drunken Noodles, on the other hand, is made with wide rice noodles, garlic, shallots, Thai chili peppers and vegetables such as carrots, bell peppers, baby corn and mushrooms. The noodles are stir-fried in a spicy sauce that usually includes dark soy sauce, fish sauce, oyster sauce and basil leaves. The dish is usually served with a side of chili sauce.
The Difference in Flavor
The two dishes have distinct flavor profiles. Pad See Ew has a sweet and savory flavor, while Drunken Noodles has a more spicy and rich flavor. The difference between the two dishes lies mainly in the sauce used to stir-fry the noodles. Pad See Ew is stir-fried in a sweet and savory soy-based sauce, while Drunken Noodles is stir-fried in a spicy sauce that includes dark soy sauce, fish sauce, oyster sauce and basil leaves.
The other ingredients used in both dishes also contribute to the flavor, with Pad See Ew including garlic, Chinese broccoli and sometimes pork, and Drunken Noodles including garlic, shallots, Thai chili peppers and vegetables such as carrots, bell peppers, baby corn and mushrooms.
The Difference in Preparation
The preparation of Pad See Ew and Drunken Noodles also differs slightly. For Pad See Ew, the noodles are usually cooked first, then combined with the other ingredients and stir-fried in the sauce. For Drunken Noodles, however, the noodles are usually cooked with the other ingredients and stir-fried in the sauce. This is because the noodles need to absorb the flavor of the sauce, which isn’t possible if the noodles are cooked separately.
The two dishes are also cooked differently. Pad See Ew is typically stir-fried in a wok over high heat, while Drunken Noodles is usually cooked over medium-high heat with a spoon or spatula. This is because the noodles and other ingredients need to be cooked evenly and the sauce needs to be evenly distributed.
Overall, Pad See Ew and Drunken Noodles are two distinct dishes in Thai cuisine, with differences in their ingredients, flavor and preparation.
