AmyHuang
Jason KingIn Search of the Best Pad Prik King
April 1st 2006 11:43
Pad Prik King is what a real Thai stir fry should be like. Mostly dry, for one. And full of flavour and spices, and different textures. But most importantly, it's dry. Seriously, you can't stir fry stock, so please don't call it a 'stir fry' if it's swimming in liquid.
But Pad Prik King is based on a curry paste with chilli, galangal, coriander, lemongrass, garlic, spring onions, and so on, with (usually) chicken, green or snake beans, sometimes capsicum, and fresh chilli; all stir fried with the usual fish sauce and palm sugar. It has enough paste to mix with the rice and coat your mouth, enough so you can eat it with a spoon.
So close your eyes. You smell a whiff of spiciness as the plate approaches. Imagine the mess of soft chicken, crunchy green beans, all coated in this slightly oily, spicy paste, deep and complex, and having been stir fried to bring out all the flavours.
Sure you've just realised how hungry you are. But where can you get it? You may have gone rushing off to Newtown, which seems to be Thai central, but some there haven’t heard of it. And woe betide those who served me a soupy lacklustre imitation in the guise of Pad Prik King. If you are in Newtown, go to Thai Pothong on King Street. It's under the seafood section, but they do a good correct version. So do Satang Thai on Quay Street in the city. Theirs is slightly oilier, and is heavy on the beans, but is fantastic value for such a large portion.
However the best is to be had at Spice I Am. (Sound familiar? Look below). You may have heard it before; hopefully you have. Theirs uses pork rind, like is done in the Thai countryside, adding extra soft crunchy crackly oily bits which blend partially into the paste (yes I like the paste). And although there is less paste it's hotter; and their offering definitely a cut above. Which is not to say the others are no good; on the contrary, they're different; and even the best can get boring and repetitive after a while.
Pad Prik King is an example of a fantastic stir fry. Try it. It’ll be the best damn meal you have all week if they make it right. And if anyone has any other places to recommend who do a mean Pad Prik King please post it up. We want to know! Also, anyone who wants to rave about the paste or complain about watery and overly salty 'stir fries', you know you're always welcome.
So close your eyes. You smell a whiff of spiciness as the plate approaches. Imagine the mess of soft chicken, crunchy green beans, all coated in this slightly oily, spicy paste, deep and complex, and having been stir fried to bring out all the flavours.
Sure you've just realised how hungry you are. But where can you get it? You may have gone rushing off to Newtown, which seems to be Thai central, but some there haven’t heard of it. And woe betide those who served me a soupy lacklustre imitation in the guise of Pad Prik King. If you are in Newtown, go to Thai Pothong on King Street. It's under the seafood section, but they do a good correct version. So do Satang Thai on Quay Street in the city. Theirs is slightly oilier, and is heavy on the beans, but is fantastic value for such a large portion.
However the best is to be had at Spice I Am. (Sound familiar? Look below). You may have heard it before; hopefully you have. Theirs uses pork rind, like is done in the Thai countryside, adding extra soft crunchy crackly oily bits which blend partially into the paste (yes I like the paste). And although there is less paste it's hotter; and their offering definitely a cut above. Which is not to say the others are no good; on the contrary, they're different; and even the best can get boring and repetitive after a while.
Pad Prik King is an example of a fantastic stir fry. Try it. It’ll be the best damn meal you have all week if they make it right. And if anyone has any other places to recommend who do a mean Pad Prik King please post it up. We want to know! Also, anyone who wants to rave about the paste or complain about watery and overly salty 'stir fries', you know you're always welcome.
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