Pad Kaprao: The Story Behind Thailand's Real National Dish

Westerners might think that Pad Thai is the Thai national dish, they are not wrong. But for most Thais, there is another dish which is even more popular i.e. Pad Kaprao, stir-fired pork/chicken with holy basil leafs and red chilies. Pad Kaprao usually comes with a fried egg with liquid yolk. 7-11 sells Pad Kaprao with no egg. Pad Kaprao is so popular with most Thais that it is regarded as a "thoughtless dish" in a positive way. When you can't decide a quick meal to order, you would not go wrong to order Pad Kaprao without even thinking. It is a wholesome, satisfying, comfort meal for practically all Thais.

I am Thai. And , I would like to Thank for the deep history from this video.

This is the most fantastic celebration of Pad Krapao ever. Such respect, research, and refinement.

Pad Krapao is not just a food, it is the people, it is the culture, it is the spirit of all Thai.

I never set foot in Thailand even though I'm staying next door to it. (Malaysia) But the funny thing is I know this dish throughout my childhood because there was this man who decide to open a hawker stall in my neighborhood to serve this dish only and it was called "Basil Minced Pork on rice". It ran for a good 30 plus years until his death. Never once he ever said it came from Thailand nor he himself is from Thailand. Most likely he has some bad history in Thailand and just want to forget all about it. It became one of my comfort food and now I finally understand where this meal came from. Thank you for the thorough explanation of this meal.

As a Thai, born and raised, this is an amazing western perspective on my hometown favorite dish! The knowledge and range are super impressive, far than more than I intially anticipated. But I also firmly believe that there so many missed opportunities about this dish you could discuss about. Such as, 1. The addtional yet super controversial long beans as an 'integral' ingredient 2. An even more detailed history of Pad KraPrao with interviews of proffesors and actual records. 3. Interviewing the owner of 'MOOMGAPAO' and his goals of trying to standardize/fast food-izing the dish for the masses 4. The controversial spelling of padkrapao, both Thai and English. 5. More tips and techniques that I see Thai people do to make their dish unique. If you and your ever plan to do a second volume of this dish. I'd love to volunteer and assist you in creating a more in depth content for everyone to enjoy!

I always get motion sickness when traveling on a long trip and it usually takes like a day to get rid of all the headaches and the "car lag". Then I realized that Pad Krapao can really fix me right up. Like, literally restored me back to 100%. I don't know if it's the Krapao leaves, the chili, or just the heat, but Pad Krapao is now my special remedy for motion sickness.

Very Fun and Funny Fact. A lot of the Thais would call Pad Krapao as "Aharn sin kit" or "Mindless food" due to the fact that, If you don't know what to order, pad krapao would be your safest, and thus, "mindless" option.

Your "Return to Khlong Toei" had me in tears, it was sweet.

I was worried when I was coming to Thailand because of the food and the fact that I wouldn’t be able to acclimate myself to a completely different diet. I came across PaK Krapao and I immediately felt a sense of comfort and home, I come from a Spanish and Euro background and the ingredients are very similar to what my family made at home. I am not worried anymore because the food in Thailand is so diverse and delicious, I’ve cultivated a new weekly menu for myself of Turkish, Indian and Thai dishes all of wish are very satisfying and very special to me. And of course PK when the mood strikes 😊

Crispy pork Pad Krapao with fried egg is my favourite Thai dish it’s just so tasty 😋 as a Scotsman living in Udon I enjoy it best when served spicy 🌶️ which my wife says am half Scots half Thai lol 😂

First of all, your channel is so underrated. Even as a Thai, I learn something every time I watch your content. Well produced. Well done! 😊 Second of all, pad kra-pao.... yes, please lol

My most favorite Thai dish ever! I can eat this every day all day!😋😋😋

Your video let's me know that you care so much about the food and the culture. The end scene is like watching a happy ending of a man who has been on a long journey finally coming home.

I am swedish and have come to love this dish. I make multiple times a month. I have really experimented with it and now I think I have found my version of it and I love it!

There's no Thai TV Programs or contents, that dig deep into Pad Krapao story deep as you. I can guarantee.

Pad Krapao is the best!! I can happily eat it everyday❤❤

My father is an ex-diplomat, and when my parents had to find chefs for their diplomatic household (chefs have to prepare meals for regular social functions, and must be able to “represent” Thai taste), one of the dishes they tested with was Pad Krapao (but with Thai omelet - and given the number of candidates who failed because of the omelet, apparently it’s a simple dish that’s notoriously hard to get just right).

As I was born in Thailand, I'm so upset the crispy pork was not called out in this video. I recommend trying Pad Krapao crispy pork when you come to Thailand, and you may love Pad Krapao more for sure.

Holy Basil are main ingredients in rural Thai cusines spicy soups . Pad Kra Pao in the countryside does not use soy sauce but uses fish sauce, dried chili. Pad Kra Pao looks similar to Stir Fried Spicy Bird or Quail in wild food or Khua Kling in southern cusine. In the countryside, red basil or wild basil is commonly use.