“Phad kee mao” is also known as “Drunken Noodles” or “Drunkard's Noodles” – presumably because of the use of rice vinegar in the preparation. Another theory puts it down to the spicy nature of the dish, which some prefer to down with a cold beer.
Phad kee mao
Ingredients
Oil — 2 tbsp
Wide, flat rice noodles — 14 oz.
Chopped garlic — 2tbsp
Chopped shallots — 1tbsp
Chopped Thai chiles (optional) - 2
Medium onion – 1
Green bell pepper - 1
Red bell pepper – 1
Thai basil leaves – 1 cup
Cilantro for garnish
Tomato wedges for garnish
Cucumber slices for garnish
Chopped green onions for garnish
For sauce
Mushroom-flavored Thai soy sauce - 1/4 cup
Golden Mountain sauce - 1/8 cup
vegetarian oyster sauce - 1/8 cup
Palm sugar - 2 tbsp
Rice vinegar – 2 tbsp
Roasted chili paste (nam prik pao) - 1 tbsp
White or black pepper - 1/8 tsp
Method
Soak noodles for 30-40 minutes in hot water until tender but not completely soft. Drain and toss with 1 tbsp oil. Fry garlic, shallots, chiles, and cilantro root in remaining oil for 30 seconds. Add onion and pepper and cook for five minutes. Mix sauce ingredients and stir until sugar dissolves. Add noodles, sauce, and basil to wok, and stir until basil is wilted and sauce is absorbed by noodles. Remove from wok and garnish with cilantro, tomato wedge, and cucumber slices.