Thai Fried Mussels Recipe (Hoi Tod)

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This Thai fried mussels recipe with egg, or hoi tod, brings together juicy seafood and fresh bean sprouts in a crispy omelette. It’s ideal for a quick meal or light side dish, easy to make, and full of flavor!

Thai fried mussels omelette, hoi tod, served with sweet chili sauce.

This Asian mussels recipe is the latest in my collection of seafood recipes, and it’s got my grandmother’s seal of approval! She’s the biggest seafood fan in our family, and this dish, along with pad ped talay, are some of her favorites.

What is hoi tod

Hoi tod is a classic Thai dish consisting of oysters or fried mussels cooked in a crispy batter with egg and served with bean sprouts. It looks like a seafood pancake and is a popular street food option in Thailand.


Did you know? In this context, hoi means mussels or oysters, and tod means fried!

More about this pan fried mussels recipe

This is the kind of dish that’s simple to make and great for cooking at home. It’s full of delicious Thai flavors but doesn’t take much time to make. Plus, it feels like a fancy meal, even if it’s quick to put together.

You can cook it for a Sunday lunch or as a special dish during the busy weeknights. Honestly, it’s great for any time and it fits every occasion.

In my opinion, it’s best as a snack or side dish with other Thai food. If you love seafood, try it with yum talay, a spicy Thai salad. If you prefer a side of noodles, I think it’s perfect with the classic chicken pad Thai!

Thai mussel omelette, hoy tod, with a fork lifting a bite.

Making this recipe is easy: we start by mixing up a batter, then fold in the mussels and fry it in a hot pan. Crack some eggs over the top, sprinkle with green onions and coriander, and cook until both sides are done. Hello, crispy golden brown egg!

Pay attention, because getting the batter right is key to this recipe!


Ingredient notes

You can find all these ingredients at local Asian grocery stores or Asian markets. Check the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the precise measurements.


Ingredients for Thai fried mussels recipe labeled: vegetables, mussels, ice-cold water, eggs, tapioca starch, golden mountain sauce, salt, white pepper, tempura flour.
  • Mussels or oysters – You can make hoi tod with either mussels or oysters.
  • Eggs – The eggs fluff up when fried and are signature to this dish.
  • Tapioca starch – Tapioca starch creates a light and airy batter that crisps up nicely.
  • Tempura flour – Creates an extra crispy batter.
  • Ice-cold water – This ensures the batter fries up even crispier.
  • Golden mountain seasoning sauce – Golden mountain sauce is a type of Thai soy sauce with a savory flavor, often used in stir-fries.
  • White pepper
  • Salt
  • Bean sprouts – Bean sprouts are an essential ingredient in this hoy tod recipe that you shouldn’t skip. They’re key to this Thai dish, adding a unique crunch and flavor.
  • Green onions
  • Coriander
  • Oil – Use a neutral oil with a high smoke point, like canola or vegetable oil, to make this Thai mussel omelette recipe.

Step-by-step image instructions

Batter prepared in a clear bowl.

Step 1: In a bowl, combine tapioca starch, tempura flour, salt, white pepper, and golden mountain sauce. Gradually mix in ice-cold water until smooth. Allow this batter to sit for 10 minutes.

Mussels in batter in a clear bowl.

Step 2: Mix the mussels into the batter.

Fried mussels with batter in a pan.

Step 3: Heat oil in a flat frying pan over medium heat until hot. Pour the prepared batter into the pan to fry the mussels.

Mussels batter topped with raw eggs in a pan.

Step 4: Immediately crack eggs over the batter. Gently spread the egg yolks and sprinkle with coriander and green onions. Cook and flip to brown the other side.

Fried mussels omelette ready in a pan.

Step 5: Continue flipping the omelette until it’s golden brown and crispy on both sides. Once done, remove from your pan and set aside.

Bean sprouts being fried in a pan.

Step 6: In the same pan, fry the bean sprouts until they’re softened to your liking. Once ready, transfer them onto a serving dish and add the fried egg on top. Enjoy!

Kitchenware you’ll need

  • Mixing bowl and spoon for preparing the batter
  • Measuring spoons and cups
  • Spatula for frying
  • Flat frying pan

Hoy tod recipe tips and tricks

  1. Avoid overcrowding: Space is a must for the ultimate puff in your batter! Try cooking just two portions at a time—it’s the best way to get perfect results.
  2. Use fresh seafood: I like to start with fresh, high-quality pre-shelled mussel meat. If you can’t find it fresh, you can use frozen, thawed in the fridge before using.

Storing and reheating tips

  • Storing: Let your leftover Thai mussel pancake cool to room temperature and keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
  • Reheating: To reheat mussels, place them in a hot pan over medium heat until warmed through. This method keeps them tender. Avoid using the microwave!

Frequently asked questions

Are pan-fried mussels spicy?

Pan-fried mussels can be spicy if you add spicy ingredients like chili peppers. But if you don’t add spicy stuff, they won’t be spicy.

What to serve with Thai mussels?

Thai mussels can be served with steamed rice or noodles. Adding a fresh salad or some stir-fried vegetables can complete your meal.

More authentic Thai seafood recipes

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Thai Fried Mussels Recipe (Hoi Tod)

Thai fried mussels omelette, hoi tod, served with sweet chili sauce.
This is a quick and easy Thai fried mussels recipe, also known as hoi tod. Made with a crispy egg batter, bean sprouts, and simple Thai seasonings.
Praew
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Cuisine Thai
Course Side Dish, Snack
Serving Size 2 people

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons tapioca starch
  • 6 tablespoons tempura flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon white pepper
  • 1/2 tablespoon golden mountain sauce (see notes)
  • 1/2 cup ice-cold water
  • 1 cup mussel meat (see notes)
  • 5 tablespoons oil
  • 2 eggs
  • 0.35 ounces green onions & coriander mixed
  • 2 cups bean sprouts

Instructions

  • In a bowl, combine tapioca starch, tempura flour, salt, white pepper, and golden mountain sauce. Gradually mix in ice-cold water until smooth. Allow this batter to sit for 10 minutes.
  • Mix the mussels into the batter.
  • Heat oil in a flat frying pan over medium heat until hot. Pour the prepared batter into the pan to fry the mussels.
  • Immediately crack eggs over the batter. Gently spread the egg yolks and sprinkle with coriander and green onions. Cook and flip to brown the other side.
  • Continue flipping the omelette until it's golden and crispy on both sides. Once done, remove from your pan.
  • In the same pan, fry the bean sprouts until they're softened to your liking. Once ready, transfer them onto a serving dish and add the fried egg on top. Enjoy!

Notes

  • Use the nutrition card in this recipe as a guideline.
  • Mussels or oysters - You can make hoi tod with either mussels or oysters.
  • Golden mountain seasoning sauce - Golden mountain sauce is a savory Thai seasoning sauce made from fermented soybeans, salt, and sugar.
Calories: 446kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 39g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 11g | Monounsaturated Fat: 24g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 164mg | Sodium: 359mg | Potassium: 219mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 259IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 2mg

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2 Comments

  1. You have mountain sauce added to batter, see notes. Notes doesn’t mention it but does have ” rosdee” seasoning powder? Mountain sauce is a dipping sauce? Have I totally misunderstood. Sorry.

5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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