Chef John’s Drunken Noodles

Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Servings: 4
Yield: 4 servings

Description

Drunken noodles, also known as pad kee mao, is a popular Thai stir-fry dish with wide noodles, veggies, red chilies, and Thai basil in a delicious sauce.

Ingredients

8 ounces dried rice noodles
1/4 cup oyster sauce
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 tablespoon Asian fish sauce
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1 teaspoon white sugar
2 tablespoons cold water
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 cup shallots, thinly sliced
6 teaspoons chile padi (bird's eye chiles), thinly sliced
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 1/2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken thighs, cut into strips
1 pound Chinese broccoli, sliced
4 green onions, thinly sliced
1 cup fresh Thai basil leaves

Directions

1 Gather the ingredients.
2 Soak rice noodles in hot water until flexible, 10 to 15 minutes. Occasionally move the noodles around to separate them. Drain the water and cover with a wet paper towel.
3 Combine oyster sauce, soy sauce, Asian fish sauce, maple syrup, sugar, and water in a small bowl.
4 Heat vegetable oil and sesame oil in a wok or large frying pan, over medium-high heat. Stir-fry shallots, chile peppers, and garlic until shallots are soft, about 2 minutes. Move the mixture around the outside of the pan to create a space and add chicken. Sear for 1 minute, then combine with shallot mixture.
5 Add Chinese broccoli stems and stir-fry until tender, about 2 minutes.
6 Add Chinese broccoli leaves and stir-fry until wilted.
7 Add drunken noodle sauce and sliced scallions; mix well and cook until sauce begins to simmer.
8 Add soaked rice noodles and toss to coat until noodles have absorbed the sauce and are cooked through, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
9 Stir in Thai basil leaves until wilted. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve.