How much oyster sauce should I use?

Use 1 tablespoon (15 ml). It rounds out the salty sauces and adds body without overpowering the basil.

Holy basil vs Thai basil—does it matter?

Holy basil (bai kraphao) is traditional and peppery. Thai basil is sweeter with anise notes and works when holy basil isn’t available.

Can I make it with beef or chicken?

Yes—beef gives a richer flavour; chicken (thigh mince) stays juicy. Keep the fat around 10–15% for best texture.

Are long beans necessary?

Optional. Many shops use them to bulk out portions. Skip for a meatier dish or swap in green beans.

How do I reduce the heat?

Use fewer chillies and remove seeds, or blend in a mild red chilli. Balance heat with a touch more palm sugar.

Fiery Thai Pad Kra Pao with Crispy Egg (15-Min)

Name: Fiery Thai Pad Kra Pao with Crispy Egg (15-Min)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 3
Ingredients: Light soy sauce; Dark soy sauce; Fish sauce; Oyster sauce; Palm sugar, finely chopped or grated; Garlic cloves; Red Thai bird’s-eye chillies; Neutral oil; Eggs; Minced pork (or chicken/beef); Yard-long beans (or green beans), chopped; Holy basil leaves (or Thai basil), loosely packed; Hot jasmine rice

Authentic Thai basil stir-fry with chilli, garlic and savoury sauce—served over hot jasmine rice with a crispy fried egg. Weeknight fast, street-food bold.

Fiery Thai Pad Kra Pao with Crispy Egg (15-Min) 🌶️🍳

There’s nothing quite like the sizzle of garlic and chilli in a hot wok — and Pad Kra Pao is Thai street food at its most satisfying. In just 15 minutes, you can bring that fiery aroma home: tender minced pork (or chicken) stir-fried with a bold umami sauce, fragrant basil, and topped with a runny, crispy-edged egg over jasmine rice. Fast, spicy, and irresistibly savoury — this is the taste of Bangkok in a bowl.

🥢 What Makes It Special

Pad Kra Pao (ผัดกะเพรา) is all about simplicity — high heat, fast cooking, and fresh basil. The holy basil (bai kraphao) adds that signature peppery punch, while the balance of fish sauce, soy sauce, and palm sugar creates that deep, complex flavour that defines Thai wok dishes. Add a perfectly fried egg, and you’ve nailed the street-style experience.

🔥 Quick, Bold, and Balanced

This recipe keeps things authentic but adaptable. Whether you use pork, chicken, or beef, the secret is to let the meat sear and caramelize slightly before adding the sauce. Don’t skip pounding the garlic and chillies — that texture makes all the difference.

🍚 How to Serve

Serve the stir-fry over steaming jasmine rice, top with a crispy fried egg, and spoon some sauce over the egg so it soaks into the yolk. For an extra flourish, fry a few basil leaves until translucent — they make a crunchy, aromatic garnish that screams “restaurant-quality”.

🌿 Pro Tips

✨ Use holy basil if available — it’s spicier and more aromatic than Thai basil.
✨ For deeper wok hei, cook the meat in two quick batches.
✨ Adjust chilli heat to your liking — keep some seeds for a proper fiery kick.
✨ Add a squeeze of lime at the end for a zesty contrast.

💡 Why You’ll Love It

Perfect weeknight one-pan dinner
Bursting with garlic-chilli umami
Customizable with your choice of meat
Ready in under 20 minutes
Brings authentic Thai flavour without the fuss

Pad Kra Pao is more than just a stir-fry — it’s comfort food with attitude. Once you master the timing and the basil toss at the end, you’ll be craving this on repeat.

🇹🇭 Bring the street food vibes home tonight — and don’t forget that crispy egg on top! 🍳🔥

Source: Derek Chen on TikTok