Where does Pad Kra Pao come from?

Pad Kra Pao — country of origin: Thailand.

What is Pad Kra Pao made of?

Minced pork, Thai basil, chilli, fish sauce, garlic, egg.

Which allergens does Pad Kra Pao contain?

Contains eggs and egg products. Contains fish and fish products.

How do you pronounce Pad Kra Pao?

ผัดกะเพรา (Thai) is pronounced /pʰàt kàpʰraw/.

Pad Kra Pao

ผัดกะเพราPronunciation (IPA) /pʰàt kàpʰraw/

Minced pork stir-fried hard and fast with garlic, chilli and holy basil, served over rice with a fried egg — Thailand's fastest, most everyday plate.

Also known as: Pad Krapow · Pad Gaprao · ผัดกะเพรา

Allergens & declarations

Contains

Egg

Contains eggs and egg products

Fish

Contains fish and fish products

This describes the classic recipe, so you know what to ask about. It is not a declaration for any particular kitchen — recipes and suppliers vary, and only the restaurant can tell you what is in the dish it serves.

In detail

Pad kra pao is minced pork stir-fried hard and fast with garlic, chilli and holy basil, served over rice with a fried egg. It is Thailand's fastest, most everyday plate, the dish a Thai cook can have on the table in the time it takes rice to steam.

What it really is

Garlic and chilli, pounded or finely chopped, hit a screaming-hot wok first, followed almost immediately by minced pork that browns fast over the highest heat the stove can manage. Holy basil — sharper and more peppery than the sweeter Thai basil used elsewhere — goes in only at the very last moment, wilting into the dish rather than cooking through, and the whole thing lands over rice with a fried egg, its yolk left soft and runny, cracked on top.

Holy basil, added last, is what separates this from any other stir-fry. Its sharp, almost clove-like bite is distinct from milder Thai basil, and tossing it in only seconds before the pan comes off the heat is what keeps that bite intact rather than cooking it flat.

How it is served

Over steamed rice, the pork and its sauce spooned on top.
With a fried egg, yolk left soft, on top of the pork.
As a fast, everyday main, rarely a special-occasion dish.

Flag the fish sauce and the egg.
Say if chicken or another protein replaces pork, since both are extremely common.
Rate the heat honestly, since chilli levels vary widely between kitchens and can usually be adjusted to order.

Typical ingredients

Put it on your menu with Menuella

Frequently asked questions

What is Pad Kra Pao?: Minced pork stir-fried hard and fast with garlic, chilli and holy basil, served over rice with a fried egg — Thailand's fastest, most everyday plate.
Where does Pad Kra Pao come from?: Pad Kra Pao — country of origin: Thailand.
What is Pad Kra Pao made of?: Minced pork, Thai basil, chilli, fish sauce, garlic, egg.
Which allergens does Pad Kra Pao contain?: Contains eggs and egg products. Contains fish and fish products.
What is Pad Kra Pao also known as?: Pad Krapow, Pad Gaprao, ผัดกะเพรา.
How do you pronounce Pad Kra Pao?: ผัดกะเพรา (Thai) is pronounced /pʰàt kàpʰraw/. Select the speaker button next to the dish name to hear it.