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

Spell it as you want- Pad Krapao, Pad Kha Prow, Phat Kra Phrao. But cooking it- that's a different story. Pad Krapao is a miraculous dish- something simple yet perfectly balanced, a fine-tuned creation that must be made with every component aligned in harmony...and as it's the single most popular dish in Thailand, it's a test every chef must pass before earning a place in Bangkok's culinary scene.

In this video, we set out to uncover the origins of the dish, the genesis of the category that brought it to creation, and to find the very best versions on Bangkok's busy streets. It's a quest that brings us from humble lunch counters to Michelin restaurants, and from Mark Wiens' fiery lair to the great Chef Gaa's stall at Khlong Toei. And eventually, it brings us to our old friends in the Khlong Toei slum, who join us to taste test the very best Pad Krapao the city has to offer.

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0:00 - Introduction
1:45 - The Benchmark Pad Krapao
4:15 - History Part 1: When it Started
5:56 - Working Class Pad Krapao
8:36 - History Part 2: Why it Started
11:33 - The Elegance of the Dish
14:19 - Holy Basil
15:39 - Comparing Basils
16:31 - Balance
19:21 - Mark Wiens, Agent of Chaos
22:02 - Other Highlights
23:20 - Return to Khlong Toei
24:57 - Every Dish, Everywhere, All at Once

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Video Credits:

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[jiradethlim]

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

[kamolhengkiatisak]

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.

[nattapongp]

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

[KedaiCiplak]

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.

[terachetrojrachsombat]

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

[KttPtk]

As a Thai person who "doesn't eat spicy food", I recommend that you try ordering "Pad Kraprao without chilli" and try it at least once. Whether you like spicy food or not.
it's true that most Thai food is spicy. But believe me, most of them always have a non-spicy version. Which every chef can make and it's delicious too. but it might make the chef feel a little bad LOL.

[max]

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.

[watpuvinkulkarntawat]

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

[AuldeyST]

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!

[janeprescott]

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

[rdStreet]

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 😊

[muldererick]

Less than a minute into the video: "Close your eyes and you can taste it.." It's been 14 years since I've been in Thailand, and yes absolutely, this dish, if I close my eyes and think back I can still taste it. A marvelously simple dish, yet so tasty... I'll fly back to Thailand tomorrow if I had the chance!

[mrfitz]

I was feeling a bit depressed today. I don't know why, but watching this little documentary about Pad Kaprao being celebrated by ordinary people really cheered me up.

[davidrendall]

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 😂

[wisarut.nualkaew]

Yes, super glad that you add Ung Jia Huad on the list. He is THE ONE. That’s the word I looking for “The Classic”. It’s like in the hall of fame of Padkaprao. Nothing too fancy. His version is good enough and right on the middle of every senses.

[reyaz]

Extremely impressive. Makes me reminiscint of my time in Thailand, whether it was a 7/11, food hall or street corner. I just couldn't get enough of pad krapao! Keep up the great work OTR team, can't wait to see what you guys put out next.

[anitrasrisuk]

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

[ThaiMotoTrails]

Living in Thailand for 25 years I am absolutely loving these videos. And like all of the food showcased, these are very well researched, written, filmed and presented, to become that perfect combination of ingridients that once all combined together make very enjoyable viewing.

[az]

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.

[Chamrp]

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.