STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

nicoley · Coach

Pad Thai

blink · Coach

ok, I didn't go look up what it is exactly, but I have ordered it in about four different restaurants (with chicken or shrimp) and it's usually a spicy dish with rice noodles, tofu, crushed peanuts, bean sprouts, scallions, fried egg, fresh herb and lime.

member · Hermes

I think lorelei got it right, except I've never had it very spicey. I think it's also in a peanut sauce, and I think the fat/calories would depend where it's from and what's in it.

-- Edited by shopchicago33 at 15:59, 2006-02-06

cc · Marc Jacobs

I don't think I've ever pad thai in non-Thai Asian restaurants so I don't know how a Chinese place would prepare it. lorelei's description is right. Sometimes it can be a bit spicy but I've had really mild versions.

If you Google "pad thai nutritional information" you'll get a lot of hits. As shopchicago said, I think that can vary widely depending on how much oil is used and if you get meat or tofu, etc.

I make it at home a lot using this packaged sauce because I'm too lazy to mix all the ingredients myself. There is a recipe on the box but I usually use less vegetable oil to try to make it a bit healthier. I also like to add some chopped carrots so I can get some more vegetables in my diet.

Lilykind · Hermes

mmm my mom makes it and it's soooo freakin' good homeade. She puts in the noodles, some vegetables, peanuts, and the sauce together. The secret is in the sauce, which she gets from this famous curry shop in Bangkok. But that's a bit difficult to get in the US.

I am Thai, and I swear by Trader Joe's Vegetarian Pad Thai in the frozen foods section (it comes with the noodles, sauce, and veggies like green beans, red peppers, carrots, and water chestnuts). It has a bit of a kick when you cook it and is very, very good. Here's the nutrition facts from the TJ's version. It's actually pretty decent for you.

for one serving

calories: 190

calories from fat: 30

total fat: 3.5 (5%)

saturated fat: .5 g (3%)

cholesterol: 5 mg (1%)

sodium 590 mg (24%)

total carbs: 35g (12%)

dietary fiber 2g (8%)

Sugars: 5g

protein: 6g

vitamin a: 90%

vitamin c: 20%

calcium: 4%

iron: 8%

I like to add shrimp, but that makes it not-so-great for you. Chicken or tofu taste prefect with it though.

nicoley · Coach

Thanks lilykind!