Pad Krapow Gai (Thai Holy Basil Chicken)
Photo: Markus Winkler / Unsplash
Bangkok's go-to lunch: minced chicken stir-fried in a blazing wok with garlic, bird's-eye chillies and peppery holy basil, served over jasmine rice with a crispy-edged fried egg. Ready in 20 minutes.
Servings
Ingredients
Nutrition
Per serving
Steps
Crush the garlic and chilies
Pound the garlic and chilies in a mortar into a rough paste, or chop them very finely together. In a cup, mix the oyster sauce, both soy sauces, fish sauce, sugar and water.
Fry the eggs
Heat 1cm of oil in a wok until very hot. Fry the eggs one at a time, spooning hot oil over the yolk, until the whites are puffed with crisp, lacy edges and the yolks are still runny. Set aside and pour off all but 3 tbsp oil.
Fry the garlic and chili
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Stir-fry the chicken
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Add sauce and basil
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Serve
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Crush the garlic and chilies
Pound the garlic and chilies in a mortar into a rough paste, or chop them very finely together. In a cup, mix the oyster sauce, both soy sauces, fish sauce, sugar and water.
Fry the eggs
Heat 1cm of oil in a wok until very hot. Fry the eggs one at a time, spooning hot oil over the yolk, until the whites are puffed with crisp, lacy edges and the yolks are still runny. Set aside and pour off all but 3 tbsp oil.
Fry the garlic and chili
This step is part of Foodie Premium. Subscribe to unlock the full method, cooking mode and every recipe in the library.
Stir-fry the chicken
This step is part of Foodie Premium. Subscribe to unlock the full method, cooking mode and every recipe in the library.
Add sauce and basil
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Serve
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The Story Behind the Dish
Pad krapow — stir-fried holy basil — became the backbone of Bangkok's aharn tam sang, the made-to-order street stalls that cook whatever you ask for in a single wok. It's so common that when Thais can't decide what to eat, they simply order krapow.
Holy basil (krapow) is different from the sweeter Thai basil: it's peppery, clove-like and slightly numbing.
⭐ Why It's Famous
Often called Thailand's unofficial national lunch, it's cheap, fast, fiery and endlessly satisfying.
💡 Fun Fact
Ordering it "kai dao" adds the crispy fried egg — and for many Thais, krapow without the egg isn't complete.
Bangkok
13.76°N, 100.50°E
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