Pad See Ew (Thai Stir-Fried Noodles)
Ingredients
For the Chile Vinegar
- 1 cup (240ml) distilled white vinegar
- Pinch kosher salt
- 4 fresh red chiles, such as Holland, Fresno, or Cayenne (2 1/2 ounces; 70g), stemmed and thinly sliced crosswise (see notes)
For the Noodles
- 20 ounces (568g) fresh rice noodle sheets or 8 ounces (226g) dried wide rice noodles (see notes)
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) Thai black soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) neutral oil such as vegetable or canola oil
For the Marinated Pork
- 8 ounces (225g) pork shoulder, sliced very thinly into roughly 1- by 1 1/2-inch pieces (see notes)
- 1 teaspoon (5ml) Thai oyster sauce
- 1 teaspoon(5ml) Thai thin soy sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon (3g) granulated sugar
- Pinch of ground white pepper
- 1 teaspoon (5ml) sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon (2g) baking soda
- Small pinch kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon (5g) cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon (5ml) Shaoxing wine
For the Stir-Fry Sauce
- 3 tablespoons (45ml) Thai oyster sauce
- 3 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon (50ml) Thai thin soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) Thai black soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon granulated white sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
For Par-Cooking and the Stir Fry
- 8 1/2 ounces (240g) Chinese broccoli, sliced on a bias into 1-inch pieces (4 cups)
- 8 ounces (225g) marinated pork from above
- 4 tablespoons (60ml) neutral oil such as vegetable or canola oil, divided
- 10 cloves garlic (50g), smashed and roughly chopped, divided
- Prepared rice noodles from above
- 1/2 cup (120ml) stir fry sauce from above, divided
- 4 large eggs, divided
Instructions
- 1
Chile Vinegar - For the Chile Vinegar: In a small saucepan, bring vinegar and salt to a boil over high heat. Remove from heat and add chiles. Let steep for at least 30 minutes or up to 1 day (vinegar will be best after 1 day). Store in an airtight container.
- 2
Noodles - If Using Fresh Noodle Sheets: Meanwhile, cut fresh noodle sheets into 1 1/2–inch wide strips and place in a mixing bowl; toss noodles with Thai black soy sauce and oil until evenly coated and no longer sticky. Divide into four even portions and set aside.
- 3
Noodles - If Using Dried Noodles: In a large heatproof bowl, cover noodles with 1 quart boiling water. Allow noodles to hydrate until pliable, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain thoroughly and rinse three times with cold water to remove excess starch. Return drained noodles to bowl and toss with Thai black soy sauce and oil until evenly coated and no longer sticky. Divide into four even portions and set aside.
- 4
Marinated Pork - For the Marinated Pork: In a medium mixing bowl, combine pork, oyster sauce, thin soy sauce, sugar, white pepper, sesame oil, baking soda, salt, and Shaoxing wine. Mix thoroughly by hand until evenly coated. Marinate for 30 minutes at room temperature.
- 5
Stir-Fry Sauce - For the Stir-Fry Sauce: In a separate medium mixing bowl, whisk together oyster sauce, thin soy sauce, black soy sauce, sugar, and white pepper until well combined. Set aside.
- 6
Par-Cooking - To Par-Cook Broccoli and Pork: In a large saucepan or 4-quart Dutch oven of boiling water, blanch broccoli until crisp-tender, about 20 seconds; then, using a spider or strainer, immediately run under cold water to stop the cooking process (if you have a noodle basket, you can use it to blanch, strain, and chill all in once go). Squeeze out excess water, divide broccoli into four equal portions, and set aside.
- 7
Par-Cooking - Return the water to a boil, then add the marinated pork. Cook, using chopsticks to separate the pieces, until just cooked through and no pink remains, about 1 minute. Drain, rinse under cold water, then drain thoroughly and divide into four equal portions; set aside.
- 8
Stir-Fry - To Stir-Fry (in 4 Batches): Heat a wok or large carbon-steel or stainless-steel skillet over high heat until lightly smoking, about 3 minutes. Add 1 tablespoon oil and swirl to coat surface. Add 1/4 of garlic (12g), lower heat to low, and cook, stirring with a large spoon or wok spatula, until slightly browned and fragrant, about 20 seconds.
- 9
Stir-Fry - Increase heat to high and add one portion (142g) of noodles, and cook, stirring carefully to avoid breaking them, slightly charred, about 1 minute. Add 2 tablespoons (30g) of sauce and stir well.
- 10
Stir-Fry - Add one portion of blanched broccoli and stir-fry for 30 seconds. Add one portion of pork and stir-fry for another 30 seconds. Push everything to one side of the wok.
- 11
Stir-Fry - Crack 1 egg into the empty side of the wok, crack yolk then allow it to set before moving it. Avoid scrambling the egg. Once set, fold the noodles over the egg, flipping and scraping with the spoon or wok spatula to ensure nothing sticks. Stir until everything is well combined and egg is broken up into smaller pieces. Adjust seasoning with white and black pepper to taste.
- 12
Stir-Fry - Transfer pad see ew to a serving plate and serve immediately with Thai chili flakes, chile vinegar, additional sugar, and fish sauce on the side. Wipe wok or skillet clean and repeat with remaining 3 servings of the stir-fry; alternatively, save all of the prepped ingredients by refrigerating them separately in airtight containers and cook the remaining batches whenever you desire (up to 2 days).