Pad Thai and Pad See Ew are both Thai stir-fry noodle dishes are some of the most popular dishes from that region. The most popular Thai dish export is Pad Thai, but it’s not the only amazingly delicious noodle dish from this country.

What is the difference between Pad Thai and Pad See Ew?

Pad Thai is made with thinner rice noodles that are stir-fried with tamarind, which provides the sweetness to the dish and is often paired with a protein like chicken and topped with crushed peanuts. Pad See Ew is made with wider rice noodles that is stir-fried with soy sauce with vegetables like Chinese broccoli and mushrooms.

While Pad Thai is the most popular dish to reign from Thailand, Pad See Ew is an underrated dish if you wanted to try a more savory and flavor-filled dish.

Ingredient Comparison Between Pad Thai and Pad See Ew

Pad Thai is made with thin rice noodles (the same ones that the Vietnamese use for pho). During the cooking process, tamarind sauce is used to stir-fry the noodles along with chicken, pork, and beef that is used as a protein.

Pad See Ew is made with thicker rice noodles. During the cooking process, both light soy sauce and dark soy sauce are used along with oyster sauce to provide the deeper and richer sweetness that comes with Pad See Ew. Often, chicken, pork, and beef are used as a protein that is also stir fried with Chinese broccoli (Gai Lan) and mushrooms. The Chinese broccoli is what brings that crunchiness out from Pad See Ew and distinguishes it from Pad Thai.

How different do Pad See Ew and Pad Thai taste?

Pad Thai’s noodles provide a sweet, yet savory delight to your tastebuds. The noodle is often garnished with a lime and crushed, roasted peanuts providing a contrasting texture as you finish your bite.

Pad See Ew provides a chewy, rubbery, yet delicious texture due to its wider noodles. The sauce that drizzles the noodle is more savory, and provides a deeper flavor than that of it’s counterparts. The flash fried vegetable accompaniments provide a delicious contrast to the noodles. Due to how Pad See Ew is prepared, it often has a very slight burnt or charred taste, which allows it to provide another depth of flavor and texture.

What is similar to Pad Thai?

Noodle dishes that are similar to Pad Thai that are from Thailand include Pad See Ew, drunken noodles, and Pad Kee Mao.

If you want to check out an easy recipe for Pad Thai, here is my favorite way to make Pad Thai from pre-made store bought sauce.

What is similar to Pad See Ew?

Noodle dishes that are similar to Pad See Ew that are from Thailand include Pad Thai, drunken noodles, and Pad Kee Mao.

What is healthier – Pad Thai or Pad See Ew?

Both Pad Thai and Pad See Ew are high in carbs and calories. Pad Thai has more calories than Pad See Ew.

Calories in Pad Thai versus Pad See Ew

Pad Thai has 357 calories per cup whereas Pad See Ew has 255 calories. These calorie comparisons are based on the typical ingredients in these dishes.

Your calorie count may vary depending on what is added into the dish.

Translation of Pad Thai and Pad See Ew

Pad Thai is often referred to as Kway Teow Pad Thai. Kway Teow means rice noodles in Chinese (the dish was inspired by the Chinese), Pad means fried, and Thai refers to the region.

Pad See Ew is actually known authentically as Phat Si Lo and is also adapted from a Chinese recipe. Pad means fried. See Ew refers to the soy sauce as an ingredient. Phat is another translation of what is often referred to as pad, which also means fried. Si Lo means soy sauce as well.

What’s the difference between Pad Thai and Char Keow Teow?

Phad See Ew is the Thai dish that includes exclusively Chinese broccoli, meat and sometimes mushrooms. Char Keow Teow is the Malyasian version that uses Chinese chives, bean sprouts, slices of Chinese sausage, and cockles.

Authenticity of Pad Thai and Pad See Ew

Is Pad Thai a traditional Thai dish?

Pad Thai is an authentic, traditional dish of Thailand and is the country’s most popular noodle dish.

Is Pad See Ew a traditional Thai dish?

Pad See Ew is an authentic, traditional dish of Thailand that was adapted from the Chinese.

Is Pad Thai or Pad See Ew vegan?

Most popular Thai noodle dishes, like Pad Thai or Pad See Ew, when prepared meatless, may still contain egg, fish sauce, and oyster sauce for flavoring. You can substitute the meat with firm tofu.

Ensure that you look at the ingredient list closely the next time you order at your favorite Thai restaurant!

Which is harder to cook: Pad See Ew or Pad Thai?

Pad Thai has less ingredients than Pad See Ew to prepare. In that instance, Pad Thai would be faster and easier to prepare. With that said, both dishes only require a few ingredients and the cooking for both is absolutely simple.

In another post, I’ll be sharing an authentic recipe for each of these dishes!

Summary

While Pad Thai reigns supreme among it’s countries noodle dishes, Pad See Ew should not be missed as a very close competitor. Both are excellent and delicious dishes that you can make right at home.

Both Pad Thai and Pad See Ew are noodles that are served hot and fresh in Thai food carts in the streets. While one might be more popular than the other, I will bet that once you taste both, it will be hard for you to pick your favorite between Pad Thai and Pad See Ew.

Get my free recipe book that includes five of the most popular Southeast Asian recipes!

Want some other delicious Southeast Asian recipes?

Subscribe to my newsletter and also receive my 5 recipe cook book for the BEST and most popular recipes from Vietnam, Thailand, and Laos!

Too intimidated by your local Asian grocery store?