PAD THAI – A FASCINATING STORY!

​Any lover of authentic Thai takeaway food will smile when you mention Pad Thai. It embodies the exotic aromas, tastes and the crazy hustle and bustle of a busy Thailand street where vendors serve up freshly made food out of huge, frying pans.

The base of the dish is dried rice noodles which are stir-fried. Added to that is the lightly scrambled egg, bean sprouts and crushed peanuts, all topped with a sweet tamarind sauce. Other variations include crab or shrimp, chicken, garlic, chili and a hint of lime. When you are ready to eat it, feel free to add fish sauce, a drop of vinegar or even a sprinkling of sugar to suit your taste.

Historians will tell you that the ancient Thai culture dates back to the 11th century, but foodies will be more interested to know that the classic Pad Thai dish is a mere 70 years old. Pad Thai is probably one of the few dishes in the world that can claim to have been created by a Prime Minister as part of a strategy to change a country!

​​Plaek Phibunsongkhram or Phibun, as he was known, renamed Siam to Thailand in 1939 and set out to modernise and westernise the new country. Local dialects were banned, a new image was instilled and Pad Thai became the National Dish. At the time it was cheap, filling and bursting with nutrition, a great way to grow a nation!

Today, Pad Thai can be ordered at eating establishments ranging from your local Thai takeaway to the best fine dining restaurants around the globe.

Pop into our little shop, the Taste, and let us cook you an authentic Pad Thai. We use only the freshest, premium ingredients sourced right here in New Zealand, with the addition of exotic spices imported from Thailand. A perfect combination!