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S1E4 Pad Thai History – The Thailand National Dish (Podcast)

Pad Thai History – The story of the Thailand National Dish. Pad Thai has become an essential part of Thailand Food Culture, both domestically and around the world. But the history of Pad Thai is much more recent than you’d expect…

Below, discover the surprising history as well as where to eat the most famous Pad Thai in Bangkok.

Planning a Trip To Bangkok?

Here are our insider tips on tours and places to stay:

Top Tours and Cooking Classes in Bangkok

  1. Thai Organic Cooking Class: the Magic of Thai Cuisine -Traditional Thai Cooking Class
  2. Pink Chili – Thai Cooking Class TOP PICK!
  3. Bangkok by Night: Temples, Markets and Food by Tuk-Tuk
  4. Three BEST Temples Bangkok City Tour “Must Visit”

Top Hotels and Hostels in Bangkok

  1. Amari Watergate – great city views + rooftop pool
  2. The Printing House Poshtel – boutique hostel + also private rooms
  3. Samsen Street Hotel – Close to Khao San Road
  4. 1905 Heritage Corner 

Pad Thai History Podcast – Listen Now

Listen To our Pad Thai History Podcast Below. The Full episode contains the history, facts, and stories surrounding the Thailand National Dish: Pad Thai. Most importantly, it’s a fun and informative exploration of Pad Thai.

In This Podcast You’ll Learn about:

    • Military coups and political propaganda… We uncover the surprising origin story of the Thailand national dish – Pad Thai.
    • How Thai is Pad Thai? We discuss the ingredients and cooking styles that form the basis of this internationally famous dish.
    • Plus, some of our favourite places in Thailand to eat Pad Thai, and the chance to eat a Pad Thai with a difference…

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THE BELOW CONTENT IS NOT A TRANSCRIPT – It’s a companion and bonus material ONLY.

Where Is Pad Thai From? Thailand National Dish – Pad Thai

Pad Thai Is The National Dish Of Thailand and the dish was invented in Thailand probably in the 1930’s (though some sources claim a proto version of Pad Thai might have existed long before it’s official creation date).

Pad Thai History - Thailand National Dish (Podcast)

Pad Thai in Bangkok

Traditional Pad Thai is made from rice noodles, stir fried with egg, tofu, tamarind paste, fish sauce, dried shrimps, garlic, palm sugar and red chili pepper and frequently served with lime wedges, bamboo shoots, spring onions, raw banana flowers, and topped with a sprinkling of crushed peanuts.

It’s not typically a spicy dish, but varying amounts of chilli may be added to heat it up a little more.

Newer and international versions of Pad Thai may include chicken or whole fresh shrimp, or any other small pieces of meat.

Not all ingredients in a Pad Thai are endemic to Thailand. Such as peanuts, which are a new world ingredient from the Americas, now grown in SE Asia too. In the full podcast episode above, we investigate the ingredients and cooking methods used in Pad Thai to learn how this dish has evolved into Thai culture from international influences.

Pad Thai History

Pad Thai History in Brief… For the full story and a lot more info on Pad Thai History, listen to the podcast above.

You might think that Pad Thai is an ancient dish that has been handed down from generation to generation… but if you know anything about this podcast you’ve probably guessed that this isn’t the case at all. In fact, Pad Thai is probably the outcome of a competition of sorts, held in the 1930’s…

A Lieutenant Colonel by the name of Plaek Phibunsongkhram, aka “Phibun”, conducted a military coup in the 1930’s and took office as prime minister of Thailand. His mission was to make Thailand a famous country on the world stage, and to bring standards for the people of Thailand closer to those in Europe.

One part of this mission was to create a national dish that could be seen internationally as quintessentially Thai. Another big change he made was to rename the country from “Siam” to “Thailand.

So, Phibun ran a competition to create a dish that would focus on ingredients easily available in Thailand and that could be cheaply, simply and quickly prepared by chefs all around the country. The winner of the competition was, of course, Pad Thai!

Phibun set about enforcing Pad Thai upon the people to grow it’s popularity rapidly. Fortunately, the Thai people loved it! He even had recipe cards printed and distributed around the country and forced vendors to include it on their menus.

Listen to the podcast above to learn more about the controversy surrounding the history of Pad Thai.

Famous Pad Thai In Bangkok

One of the oldest, popular and most famous Pad Thai’s in Bangkok is still served street side every night to hundreds of locals lining up to feast on the delicious Thailand national dish.

famous pad thai in bangkok - Pad Thai History - Thailand National Dish (Podcast)

famous pad thai in bangkok @ Thipsamai Pad Thai

Try the most famous Pad Thai in Bangkok a Thipsamai Pad Thai. As well as the original classic pad Thai, also try the pad Thai wrapped in an omelette.

But the best Pad Thai we ever had was at a small restaurant at Erawan Waterfalls – right in the car park – back in 2011. We don’t think it’s still there, or if it is, it’s not on google maps. But if you happen to visit Erawan waterfalls (which are a stunning group of waterfalls all in one national park), then try out a Pad Thai at one of the restaurants. Hopefully, there is still someone there making it right.

Pad Thai History - Thailand National Dish (Podcast)

Pad Thai – Near Erawan Waterfall

What Is The Dish Food Podcast?

Foods Of The World – A Travel & History Guide

“The Dish” is Light-Hearted Food Travel Podcast Which Uncovers The Stories Behind The World’s Most Famous (& Best!) Dishes – And What To Eat In Destinations Worldwide.

Join food travel experts Tommo & Megsy from foodfuntravel.com (Who have eaten their way through 90+ countries) and their expert guests, for tasty facts, foodie secrets and more! We even sometimes visit the destinations to meet the locals and eat the dishes, right from the source. Even when we can’t visit and record in person, almost every dish we describe is from a destination we’ve visited in the past to try.


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Pad Thai history - the surprising story behind the creation of the Thailand National Dish. Plus, where to eat the most famous Pad Thai in Bangkok. Pad Thai history - the surprising story behind the creation of the Thailand National Dish. Plus, where to eat the most famous Pad Thai in Bangkok. Pad Thai history - the surprising story behind the creation of the Thailand National Dish. Plus, where to eat the most famous Pad Thai in Bangkok.