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What Are Drunken Noodles?

Sara Schmidt
Sara Schmidt
Sara Schmidt
Sara Schmidt

In Thai cuisine, drunken noodles is a popular rice noodle dish. The food is composed of wide noodles treated with soy sauce, garlic, fish sauce, and other seasonings. It typically contains some sort of meat element or tofu as a protein, as well as bean sprouts.

A common misconception about drunken noodles is that the meal is made with alcohol. This is typically not the case. Instead, most people say that the name of the meal refers to the spiciness it tends to have, making diners heavily drink to combat the heat. Other names for the dish include pad kee mao or pad kimao.

Chili powder is often used to flavor drunken noodles.
Chili powder is often used to flavor drunken noodles.

To officially be considered a drunken noodle dish, the recipe must contain some sort of Thai basil. Holy basil is the most common and traditional choice. Sweet basil, however, may also be used. Vinegar and oyster sauce are also often used, though recipes do not require them to be considered drunken noodles. Sugar and other sweeteners may be added for a touch of sweetness as well.

Thai basil is used as an ingredient in drunken noodles.
Thai basil is used as an ingredient in drunken noodles.

Chili powder is a common spice used to flavor drunken noodles. Many other spices, particularly hot ones, are also often used. Some chefs even include whole chili peppers, as well as other vegetables, such as tomatoes, baby corn, and green peppers. Peppercorns are another popular ingredient that most cooks include. Westerners who wish to make pad kee mao can usually find the ingredients needed at an Asian food store.

Some chefs use whole chili peppers in their recipes.
Some chefs use whole chili peppers in their recipes.

Drunken noodles is made by stir frying the ingredients together. Its composition is very similar to the dish known as phat si lo, a Chinese street food that consists of the same broad noodles treated with other elements, such as various spices and vegetables. Other similar dishes include khao phat khimao, and drunken fried rice.

Plates are usually used to serve these noodles. Since they are often used to top meats or other foods, the bulky foodstuffs typically absorb most of the wetness, if any, of the prepared noodles. Bowls, however, can make the food easier to eat, especially if it is not mixed with meats or many vegetables.

Peppercorns are a popular ingredient used in drunken noodles.
Peppercorns are a popular ingredient used in drunken noodles.

Chinese people living in Laos and Thailand made drunken noodles a popular meal. The noodles are often served with seafood in these areas. The original Chinese name of the dish literally translates to "stir-fry and someone who likes to drink too much". Some local beliefs about drunken noodles in these areas include that it makes a good hangover reliever, and that it is a good dish to serve with alcoholic beverages, much like Spanish tapas.

Sara Schmidt
Sara Schmidt

A graduate of Southeast Missouri State University, Sara has a Master’s Degree in English, which she puts to use writing for DelightedCooking and several magazines, websites, and nonprofit organizations. She has published her own novella, and has other literary projects currently in progress. Sara’s varied interests have also led her to teach children in Spain, tutor college students, run CPR and first aid classes, and organize student retreats.

Learn more...
Sara Schmidt
Sara Schmidt

A graduate of Southeast Missouri State University, Sara has a Master’s Degree in English, which she puts to use writing for DelightedCooking and several magazines, websites, and nonprofit organizations. She has published her own novella, and has other literary projects currently in progress. Sara’s varied interests have also led her to teach children in Spain, tutor college students, run CPR and first aid classes, and organize student retreats.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

ZsaZsa56

I have a Thai drunken noodles recipe that I found in this amazing Thai cookbook about five years ago. I had always been intimidated by cooking Asian food but this one cookbook made it seem so easy and accessible. I made abut half of the recipes in their and they all tuned out amazingly.

Now I regularly cook Thai food and I am comfortable enough with the spices that I have started developing my own recipes.

Ivan83

@clippers - I completely agree. And what is so great about drunken noodles is that they are a simple dish served in simple settings. That means you do not need fancy recipes and high quality ingredients. It takes common food items and elevates them to a higher level.

clippers

Thai drunken noodles are one of my favorite Thai dishes and I love Thai food. There is a great little noddle shop about three blocks from me that makes an amazing version they sell really cheap. I end up getting take out from there at least once or twice a week.

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    • Chili powder is often used to flavor drunken noodles.
      Chili powder is often used to flavor drunken noodles.
    • Thai basil is used as an ingredient in drunken noodles.
      By: S.White
      Thai basil is used as an ingredient in drunken noodles.
    • Some chefs use whole chili peppers in their recipes.
      By: Giuseppe Porzani
      Some chefs use whole chili peppers in their recipes.
    • Peppercorns are a popular ingredient used in drunken noodles.
      By: valery121283
      Peppercorns are a popular ingredient used in drunken noodles.
    • With its high smoking point and mild flavor, peanut oil is ideal for stir-frying drunken noodles.
      By: WimL
      With its high smoking point and mild flavor, peanut oil is ideal for stir-frying drunken noodles.