Vegan Pad Thai: Noodle It Up With A Healthier Alternative

Kelp Noodle Pad Thai is a completely vegan meal, comprising vegetables and almond butter. The salty and umami taste of kelp, a kind of seaweed, adds a unique flavour to the Pad Thai whilst retaining the original flavour of the noodles. It is also a much healthier option than shrimp and egg Pad Thai as it is low in carbs and calories.  

All About Pad Thai

The original Pad Thai is stir-fried rice noodles made with shrimps, chicken, pork or tofu and additions of choice of vegetables, bean sprouts, and eggs, which are all tossed in a slightly spicy, slightly sweet, and slightly tangy tamarind and fish sauce, with a little sugar added in for flavour. It is then garnished with chopped peanuts, a few drops of lime juice, and chilli flakes for a spicier taste. The dish can be made to the preference of any palate. 

Although Pad Thai is native to Thailand, the country's most important dishes, it is believed that Pad Thai owes some of its influence to China as it is made with Chinese rice noodles. It is believed that the dish was popularised in the 1930s, during World War II, in a bid to foster nationalism in Thailand. It is said to have been invented by the former Thai Prime Minister, Plaek Phibunsongkhram, who was also known as Phibun. Eventually, Pad Thai became a popular Thai street food during World War II. The dish became popular globally as Thai immigrants introduced it to the US and to other countries. 

Ingredients 

For the sauce:

  • 1 tablespoon almond butter
  • 2 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon ice vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons coconut sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice

For the Pad Thai

  • 1 12-oz pack kelp noodles
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 green onions, sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon raw peanuts, crushed
  • 1 carrot, shredded
  • 1/4 cup bean sprouts
  • 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro

Method

  • To make the sauce, mix the almond butter, soy sauce, vinegar, coconut sugar, red chili flakes, and lime juice in a mixing bowl, and set aside.
  • For the Pad Thai, in a frying pan, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and green onion, and cook for one minute
  • Add the noodles to the pan, followed by the prepared sauce, and toss till the noodles are coated well
  • To serve, add the noodles to a bowl, leaving the excess liquid in the pan. Top with additional green onion, shredded carrot, bean sprouts, peanuts, and cilantro
  • Drizzle with more sauce and crushed red pepper flakes, as per taste preference.

Pad Thai is the staple dish of Thailand and the Thai people are particular about how it is made. Now, Pad Thai has become a popular global dish that can be made anyway preferred as long as the essence of the dish is not lost.