
Drunken Noodles
Ingredients
- Vegetable oil
- 7 ozfirm tofu
cubed and dried
- ½ cchicken stock
- 1 tbspoyster sauce
- 1 tbspAsian fish sauce
- 1 ½ tspred chile paste
- 1 tspblack soy sauce
- ½ tspsugar
- ½red bell pepper
seeded and sliced
- ½jalapeño
large seeded and sliced
- 2 clovegarlic
minced
- 1red Thai bird chile
minced
- ½ lbpad thai rice noodles
cooked and cut in half crosswise
- Thai basil leaves
- Lime wedges
Directions
- 1
In a nonstick skillet, heat 1/4 inch of oil. Add the tofu and cook over moderately high heat, turning, until crisp, 5 minutes. Drain.
- 2
In a bowl, whisk the stock, oyster sauce, fish sauce, chile paste, soy sauce, and sugar.
- 3
In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of oil. Add the bell pepper, jalapeño, garlic, and Thai bird chile; stir-fry over high heat until fragrant, 2 minutes. Add the noodles and stir-fry until browned, 4 minutes. Add the sauce and toss over moderately high heat, until absorbed. Fold in 1 cup of basil and the tofu. Garnish with more basil and serve with lime wedges.

Drunken Noodles
Ratings & Reviews
Be the First to Rate
Your rating helps others discover amazing recipes. Share your experience and let others know what you think!
About this Recipe
Kick Up Your Weeknight with 30-Minute Crispy Tofu Drunken Noodles
Craving an authentic Thai experience in record time? Our Drunken Noodles recipe, also known as Pad Kee Mao, delivers bold, fiery flavors with delightful textures, all ready in just 30 minutes! This easy Thai dish is perfect for weeknights when you want something satisfying, quick, and incredibly tasty.
This recipe shines by featuring perfectly crispy tofu, pan-fried to golden perfection. It offers a fantastic plant-based protein that beautifully soaks up every drop of the rich, aromatic sauce, making each bite an explosion of flavor. The use of wide Pad Thai rice noodles is crucial here, as their broad surface is ideal for absorbing the complex sweet-savory-spicy sauce.
The Signature Sweet, Savory, and Spicy Sauce
The magic truly happens in the sauce. A robust blend of chicken stock, oyster sauce, Asian fish sauce, and black soy sauce creates a deep umami base. But it's the roasted red chile paste and fresh sliced jalapeño that bring the signature fiery kick, perfectly balanced with a touch of sugar. Add minced garlic and a red Thai bird chile for an extra layer of authentic Thai heat that makes these Drunken Noodles unforgettable. Vibrant red bell pepper and fresh Thai basil leaves contribute essential aromatics and a pop of color.
Tips for the Best Drunken Noodles
This quick and easy Drunken Noodles dish is incredibly versatile. Serve it hot, garnished with fresh lime wedges to brighten every bite. For a different protein, you can easily substitute the tofu with chicken or shrimp. Don't be afraid to adjust the spice level to your preference by modifying the amount of chile paste and fresh chiles.