Tofu Pad See Ew

Sweet, savory, and smoky wide rice noodles with crispy tofu and Chinese broccoli.

Tofu Pad See Ew
Servings
2
Total Time20 minutes
Prep10 minutes
Cook10 minutes

Ingredients

Tofu

  • 350 g tofu, cut into bite-sized 1-inch rectangles
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 tsp crushed sea salt flakes
  • ¼ tsp white pepper
  • ½ tsp Chinese five-spice powder (optional)
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch

Pad See Ew

  • 3 tbsp peanut oil (or vegetable oil)
  • 250 g dry wide flat rice noodles (or 500 g fresh sen yai noodles)
  • 2 tbsp peanut oil (or grapeseed oil)
  • 5 garlic cloves, minced
  • 4 stems Chinese broccoli (gai lan), cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 eggs, whisked
  • 2 tbsp light soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp dark sweet soy sauce (kecap manis)
  • 2 tbsp oyster sauce
  • 2 tsp fish sauce
  • 2 tbsp coconut sugar (or brown sugar)
  • 2 tbsp water
  • red chili flakes and lime wedges, to serve

Directions

  1. Cook noodles per package instructions (see notes for noodle prep).
  2. Toss tofu with sesame oil, salt, white pepper, five-spice, and cornstarch in a bowl.
  3. Mix light soy sauce, dark sweet soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce, sugar, and water in a small bowl.
  4. Heat oil in a large wok on high. Add tofu and stir-fry 2-3 minutes, tossing constantly until golden.
  5. Add garlic and stir-fry a few seconds. Add Chinese broccoli and stir-fry until greens are glossy.
  6. Push everything to one side of the wok. Add whisked egg to the empty space and stir-fry, breaking it up as it cooks. Mix egg into the rest of the ingredients.
  7. Add noodles and sauce. Toss constantly 3-4 minutes until thoroughly mixed and hot throughout.
  8. Serve hot with crushed red chili flakes and lime wedges.

Notes

  • Noodles: Traditional pad see ew uses fresh wide rice noodles (sen yai). If unavailable, use dry pad Thai noodles or the widest flat rice sticks — soak in boiling water 4-5 minutes until softened, then drain. Fresh noodles just need a quick microwave to soften.
  • Vegetarian: Substitute fish sauce with lime juice and oyster sauce with vegetarian oyster sauce or hoisin.
  • Vegan: Skip the egg. Substitute fish sauce with lime juice and oyster sauce with vegetarian oyster sauce or hoisin.
  • Gluten-free: Ensure all sauces used are gluten-free.