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Thai basil chicken (pad kra pao gai) is a dish in Thailand that you can order just about anywhere you go.
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It’s easy to make and nearly always tastes good. When Thais have no idea what to order at a restaurant, pad kra pao is something to fall back on.
In this video I went to a local Thai street food vendor in Bangkok and ordered a little to-go foam box of chicken stir fried with holy basil over rice with a fried egg on the side.
Like many of the dishes worth traveling for, it’s the simple fresh ingredients that make it so good.
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sully86
12 years ago
Mark: so…going…..to make….my tummy…..sing abc songs …because of hunger pangs. Mark is gonna treat me to some good food when he comes to Malaysia as a compensation for all the “tummy ache”.
jen laceda
12 years ago
OMG!!! It’s past midnight here in Toronto, and you’ve made me very, very hungry! I’m throwing a baptismal party this coming weekend, and we’re having a Korean, Thai, and Filipino-themed dinner…Mango salad, green curry vegetables, kimchi, galbi short ribs, lumpia, pancit, and lechon! A real mixed bag of foods! But now that you’ve shown me a video of thai holy basil chicken…I’m thinking of making this, too! It looks too delicious to ignore!
Mark Wiens
12 years ago
Thanks for watching Jen! That meal sounds like a near perfect mixture of dishes – that’s going to be outstanding!
paul | walkflypinoy
12 years ago
pad kra pao! i wouldn’t say it’s my all-time favorite thai dish but it’s definitely comfort/stoner thai food.
Mark Wiens
12 years ago
Yup, that’s right, not the BEST thing in Thailand, but easy to order, always available, and pretty tasty!
Steph (@ 20 Years Hence)
12 years ago
I love these food spotlights you do, Mark! They always make me so excited for when I make it to Thailand. Currently Tony & I are eating our way through Japan where the food has been pretty amazing, but I know that Thailand will have even more fresh flavors! I can’t wait! I am not sure that I have ever had holy basil, so while we are in Thailand, I will be sure to order this dish at least once!
Mark Wiens
12 years ago
Thank you Steph, I appreciate you watching it! Glad to hear you’re enjoying the food in Japan, I can only imagine how delicious it is there too. I know you’ll enjoy Thai food when you arrive here too, holy basil is available at nearly every restaurant!
Dean
12 years ago
This is what I always order when I have no idea what to get as well. It’s delicious every time!
Mark Wiens
12 years ago
Yup, that’s right, hard to go wrong when in Thailand with this dish!
Andi
12 years ago
This is one of my favorite Thai dishes. My first husband was Thai and his Mom used to make it all the time, so I had lots of practice. Now, when I go to a Thai restaurant I order it nearly every time!
Mark Wiens
12 years ago
Thanks for sharing Andi, I know for sure you know that great flavor of the holy basil!