Pad woon sen recipe delivers a Thai glass noodle stir-fry that’ll make you ditch takeout for good. This classic Thai noodle dish is so quick and easy, perfect for busy weeknights. Picture tender chicken and crunchy vegetables coated in a savory sauce to die for.

Can’t get enough of Thai noodles? Try my authentic chicken pad Thai, this beef pad see ew, or these easy drunken noodles.

What is pad woon sen

Pad woon sen is a classic stir-fried Thai noodle dish made with glass noodles, your choice of protein like chicken, and crunchy vegetables. Everything is coated in an irresistible savory sauce, making it the perfect choice for a quick meal.

Thai glass noodle stir-fry

This stir-fried glass noodle dish is totally a family favorite. It’s so good that even the little ones can’t stop eating.

It’s a simple dish, and if you’re a fan of Southeast Asian cuisine, chances are you’ve got all the ingredients in your kitchen pantry.

My pad woon sen sauce is a simple mix of golden mountain sauce, dark soy sauce, and oyster sauce. So savory, so delish! Feel free to add a tablespoon of fish sauce for extra umami.

These noodles are my definition of comfort food, seriously. With tender chicken, cabbage, scallions, and whatever veggies you’ve got left in your fridge, this Thai food comes together in a matter of minutes. So quick, so easy!

Next time you’re at a Thai restaurant, look for it on the menu. It’s the perfect side – light, simple, and so good. So good!

Glass noodles

When it comes to making pad woon sen, you have to use smooth and silky glass noodles. They go by many names – bean thread noodles (usually when they’re made from mung bean starch), mung bean noodles, mung bean threads, or cellophane noodles.

These thin noodles are crafted from mung bean starch (a legume), tapioca, or sweet potato starch. They’re the best at soaking up all that savory sauce.

If you live in Thailand like me, the noodles are just a street food market away. If not, your local Asian grocery stores should have dried ones, or you can get a pack online at Amazon.

Don’t mix these up with rice vermicelli. Glass noodles are slicker, starchier, and chewier. Just like the sweet potato starch noodles you’ll find in Korean cuisine, which also turn opaque when cooked.

As far as texture goes, glass noodles have a satisfying chewy bite, while rice vermicelli is soft and less sauce-friendly.

Looking for more glass noodle recipes? Check out this yum woon sen pork, goong ob woon sen, and glass noodles with chicken.

5 Reasons to try this easy noodle recipe

• Easy weeknight recipe: This glass noodle recipe is fast and simple, and all you need is one pan!
• Customize the protein: Whether you like chicken, pork, beef, shrimp, or other seafood, you can easily adjust this recipe. Vegetarian? Use tofu or tempeh, and swap oyster sauce for vegan mushroom sauce.
• Filling yet light: This easy glass noodles recipe can totally do as a main-dish, but it’s a light dish that’s often eaten as a side-dish in Thailand. It’s perfect as part of a larger meal or for serving a large crowd.
• Up the veggies: You can basically toss in any crunchy vegetable – carrots, bell peppers, bean sprouts, red onions, shiitake mushrooms, leek, broccoli, and lots of others.
• Healthy: Packed with vegetables, this noodle stir-fry doesn’t just taste amazing, it’s also healthy and nutritious.

Ingredients

For the exact measurements, please scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of the page.

• Glass noodles – They soak up all the flavors of the pad woon sen sauce when cooked.
• Eggs – Adds a rich flavor. Feel free to omit if egg ain’t your yum.
• Green onions, conical cabbage, coriander, garlic, onion – My veggie combo to add crunch, color, and flavor. Feel free to get creative with your own mix.
• White sugar – Swap it out for brown sugar or honey for a healthier alternative.
• Oyster sauce – Adds umami and a savory flavor.
• Dark soy sauce – Adds a subtle sweet taste and darkens the color of the stir-fry.
• Golden mountain sauce – A staple of Thai cuisine. Feel free to sub with Maggi seasoning sauce.

Step-by-step instructions

Recipe tips and tricks

• Use enough neutral oil: this will help prevent the glass noodles from sticking.
• Avoid overcrowding: Make sure there’s plenty of room in your wok or skillet. No one likes a soggy stir-fry, right?

Kitchen tools

• Cutting board and chef’s knife
• Measuring spoons and cups
• Wok or large skillet
• Colander: For draining the glass noodles after soaking them.
• Tongs

How to serve

Serve on its own for a light lunch or dinner, or pair it with one of my other authentic Thai recipes for a complete Thai meal.

In Isan, the Northeast of Thailand, we pair these stir-fried glass noodles with other light dishes like som tum Thai or a spicy long bean salad.

Garnishing options

• White pepper or black pepper
• Red chili flakes: For those who love a spicy flavor.
• Lime wedge: For a tangy twist.
• Fresh herbs: Add cilantro or chopped green onions for a refreshing taste.

How to store and reheat

Let your stir-fried noodles cool down to room temperature. Pack them in an airtight container and pop them in the fridge. Enjoy for up to three days.

Reheating instructions: Reheat on the stovetop over medium heat, adding a tablespoon of water or oil if needed.

Did you know?

The name “pad woon sen” translates to “stir-fried glass noodles” in Thai. “Pad” means stir-fried, “woon” is a type of noodle, and “sen” means thread “woon sen” is glass noodles

Frequently asked questions (FAQ’s)

More noodle stir-fries you’ll love

• Easy rice vermicelli stir-fry
• Chicken khao soi – A delicious egg noodle soup, rich with coconut curry.
• Pad mee korat – An easier, spicy version of pad Thai.
• More noodle recipes

If you loved reading this pad woon sen recipe, please make my day by dropping a star rating and/or a comment below!

Print Recipe

Pad Woon Sen Recipe (Thai Glass Noodle Stir-Fry)

Author: Praew Cooking Method: Stir-Frying Cuisine: Asian cuisines Courses: Dinner, Side Dish Recipe Keys: Low Fat Nut Free O One Pot

Difficulty: Beginner Prep Time 15 min Cook Time 10 min Total Time 25 mins

Servings: 2 Calories: 582

Description

This pad woon sen recipe can be customized with your favorite vegetables and protein.

Ingredients

Servings

• 3 tablespoons oil
• 1 clove garlic (chopped)
• 0.5 onion (chopped)
• 2 eggs
• 2 tablespoons golden mountain sauce
• 1 teaspoon dark soy sauce
• 0.5 tablespoons oyster sauce
• 0.5 tablespoons white sugar
• 3.5 ounces glass noodles (dry)
• 7 ounces oxheart cabbage (chopped)
• 5 green onions (chopped)
• coriander (for garnishing, to taste)

Instructions

1. Soak the noodles in water according to package label.

2. Heat oil in a wok pan or skillet over medium heat. Stir-fry onion and garlic for 30 sec until almost golden.

3. Crack the eggs into the pan, scramble them, and mix them in with the rest of the ingredients.

4. Add the sauces and seasoning (oyster sauce, dark soy sauce, golden mountain, and sugar) to the pan and stir quickly to mix.

5. Next, add the glass noodles to the pan and continue stir-frying at a high pace. Mix the noodles well with the other ingredients, ensuring that each noodle is coated with the flavorful sauce. If you wish, you can add a few tablespoons of water.

6. Add the remaining vegetables and stir-fry for 30 seconds to keep them crunchy. If you prefer soft veggies, then stir-fry for 1 minute instead. Serve immediately.

Equipment

Traditional Steel Wok Pan

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Nutrition Facts

Servings 1

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Amount Per Serving

Calories 582kcal

% Daily Value *

Total Fat 9.1g14%

Saturated Fat 2.8g14%

Total Carbohydrate 112g38%

Dietary Fiber 6.8g28%

Sugars 16.7g

Protein 14.7g30%

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* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

• Use the nutrition card in this recipe as a guideline.
• Feel free to customize with your favorite vegetables or seasonings.

Keywords: pad woon sen, pad woon sen recipe, Thai glass noodle stir-fry

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