Pad See Ew vs Pad Kee Mao: Key Differences Explained

Pad See Ew vs Pad Kee Mao: What’s the Difference?

Pad See Ew vs Pad Kee Mao…have you often wondered what in the world those names mean and the difference between them?

If you’re a fan of Thai stir-fried noodle dishes (like I am!) you’ve likely come across Pad See Ew and Pad Kee Mao on Thai restaurant menus.

Both are delicious, but they have distinct flavors, ingredients, and characteristics that set them apart. In this post, I’ll dive into the differences between them, so you can decide which one to try next (or cook at home!).

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What Is Pad See Ew?

Pad See Ew (ผัดซีอิว) translates to “soy sauce stir-fry” in Thai. It’s a sweet and savory noodle dish that my 4 half-Thai American kids adore because it’s not spicy and those wide noodles have such a heart-warming, cozy texture.

Here’s what makes else makes it special:

Noodles: Wide rice noodles, aka sen yai, are used for their chewy texture. Big fan!
Flavor Profile: Balanced with dark soy sauce for richness, light soy sauce for saltiness, and a touch of sugar for sweetness.
Protein: Favorite proteins in Thailand are thinly sliced chicken or pork, but you can also use beef, or tofu.
Vegetables: Chinese broccoli, aka khana, is traditionally used. It’s hard for us to find Chinese broccoli where we live, so we often substitute for Chinese broccoli for kale, turnip greens, or broccoli.
Cooking Style: The noodles are stir-fried in a hot wok, creating a slightly smoky, caramelized flavor that after your first bite makes you say, “Oh wow, a taste of heaven!”

What Is Pad Kee Mao?

Pad Kee Mao (ผัดขีเมาว) aka Drunken Noodles in English. If you are wondering, there’s no alcohol involved! There are different stories for where the name came from, but some say it’s from being a favorite late-night meal for those needing a pick-me-up after drinking. (I share a few more origin stories below in my FAQ section.)

Here’s what makes else makes Pad Kee Mao special:

Noodles: Also uses the same wide rice noodles as Pad See Ew.
Flavor Profile: Spicy, garlicky, and herbaceous, thanks to fresh Thai chilies, garlic, and holy basil.
Protein: Favorite proteins in Thailand are thinly sliced chicken or pork, but you can also use beef, or tofu.
Vegetables: Traditionally it uses veggies like baby corn, long beans, straw mushrooms, finger root, and young peppercorns. If I can’t find those, I like to use veggies like red, orange and yellow bell peppers, because it’s pretty, and kale.
Seasonings: Includes oyster sauce, fish sauce, and dark soy sauce.

Pad See Ew vs Pad Kee Mao

	Pad See Ew	Pad Kee Mao
Flavor	Sweet and savory	Spicy, herbaceous, and bold
Spice Level	Not spicy	Medium to high (customizable)
Vegetables	Chinese broccoli	Mixed veggies with holy basil
Herbs	None	Holy basil
Audience	Great for kids and those who don’t like spicy	Perfect for spicy fans!

Your Questions Answered

Is Pad Kee Mao or Pad See Ew healthier?

It depends on how you make it. Both can be made healthier by using lean proteins like chicken or tofu, minimal oil, and lots of nutrient packed veggies.

Load up your Pad See Ew with Chinese broccoli since its rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber. It’s great for digestion, bone health, heart health, immunity, and weight management.

Holy basil, which is in Pad Kee Mao, is a powerful adaptogen, which means it helps you deal with stress. How cool is that?? It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties, supporting stress relief, immune function, heart health, and overall well-being.

So either option, load in the veggies, and your body will be thanking you!

Should I order Pad See Ew or Pad Kee Mao at a Thai restaurant?

If you prefer mild and sweet flavors, go for Pad See Ew. If you’re a fan of spicy and bold flavors, Pad Kee Mao is the way to go.

But sometimes even though I love spicy, I’m just in the mood for Pad See Ew if I need something cozy and comforting. So go with what mood you are in.

How did Pad Kee Mao get the English name Drunken Noodles?

The name “Drunken Noodles” has several fun origin stories. Which is your fav?

Late-Night Drunken Cravings: The bold, spicy flavors were thought to help sober up those who were drunk or satisfy their cravings.
Pairs Well with Alcohol: Some say Pad Kee Mao pairs perfectly with alcoholic drinks.
Improvised After Drinking: One story is the name comes from a drunken chef or diner who whipped up the dish using whatever ingredients were available.
“Drunken” Heat: The spiciness of Pad Kee Mao is so intense that it might leave you feeling “drunk” from the heat!

Sherri’s Thoughts on Pad See Ew vs Pad Kee Mao

Pad See Ew is perfect for those who don’t like spicy. That’s why it’s my four half- Thai kids fav, and I often recommend it to those who say they want to try Thai food, but don’t like spicy. It’s comforting, mildly sweet dish with a perfect hit of umami! I adore it!

Pad Kee Mao is the go-to dish for spicy lovers and those craving bold, intense flavors, like me! It was my first favorite Thai noodle dish, and I still crave it today!

Wide rice noodle substitute I use: In our small town, it’s usually hard for me to find the fresh wide rice noodles used in both these dishes, so often I use other noodles like those I’d use for Pad Thai, bean vermicelli noodles that I use in Pad Woo Sen, or even Spaghetti noodles and I make Pad See Ew Spaghetti.

Chinese broccoli substitute I use: It’s hard for us to find Chinese broccoli where we live, so we often substitute for Chinese broccoli for kale, turnip greens, or broccoli.

Holy basil substitute: We grow holy basil in the summer, but when it’s not summer, we often use Italian basil as a substitute.

Want to learn the difference between holy basil and Thai Basil? Check out my holy basil vs Thai Basil post here!

Thai Basil vs. Holy basil | thai-foodie.com — Holy basil is on the left, and Thai basil is on the right.

Pad See Ew vs Pad Kee Mao: Which one should you choose?

If you’re new to Thai cuisine or prefer mild flavors, Pad See Ew is a safe choice. Its slightly sweet and savory taste is easy to love and is a crowd pleaser. But if you love heat and bold flavors, Pad Kee Mao will be your new fav!

Make It at Home!

Here is my Pad See Ew Recipe and my Pad Kee Mao Recipe if you want to make them at home. And here are some tips:

Noodles: Look for fresh wide rice noodles at an Asian market, or use dried wide rice noodles if fresh isn’t available.
Wok Hei: Cook on high heat to achieve the signature smoky flavor.
Customize: Adjust the spice level for Pad Kee Mao or the sweetness for Pad See Ew to suit your taste.

Have you tried both? Let me know your favorite in the comments below!

And if you’re looking for other Thai noodle dishes, here you go:

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