Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The Pad Thai you order from your local Thai spot was built for you specifically, and not in a good way.
The full story involves a military dictator who needed to invent a national identity fast, a government program that deliberately carpeted the globe in Thai restaurants, and a robot with a metal tongue whose entire job was to decide if your noodles were officially Thai enough. Somewhere in all of that, the version that conquered America quietly became a sweeter, milder export model that Thai people don't actually eat at home.
In this episode I make the real thing from scratch and compare it to the takeout spot down the street. The shrimp won the fight.
RECIPE:
adamwitt.co/allrecipes/padthai
đź‘•SUPPORT THE CHAN, COP SOME MERCH!: https://adamwitt.store/
🫶CONTRIBUTE TO THE GROCERY FUND! (Patreon): patreon.com/adamwitt
đź‘ľDISCORD: discord.com/invite/aFQ4h4BXg4
đź“ťMORE RECIPES: adamwitt.co/allrecipes
đź”—FOLLOW ALONG ON SOCIAL: adamwitt.co/social-links
________________________________________________________
STUFF I USE…
My Cookware Set: amzn.to/3vaWhbG
My Dutch Oven: amzn.to/48MKuhq
Portable Single-burner Stove: amzn.to/3IytyjV
Butane Torch: amzn.to/48TkQra
Deli Containers: amzn.to/49QO635
Large Mason Jars (32oz, wide mouth): amzn.to/49QO635
Rust-proof Mason Jar Lids: amzn.to/49QWlfy
Butane Canisters: amzn.to/3wLUtpM
Coarse Reinforced Strainer: amzn.to/3PePLHK
Fine Mesh Reinforced Strainer: amzn.to/3TxvkYP
Sheet Trays: amzn.to/3IG3zXL
The BEST Smash Burger Spatula: amzn.to/3UdSHab
Cutting Board Scraper: amzn.to/3Jy64fx
Ice Cream Maker: amzn.to/3wd2vIu
My Induction Burner: amzn.to/4dfhJNE
________________________________________________________
TIMESTAMPS…
00:00 Why Is There a Thai Restaurant Everywhere
01:48 Is Pad Thai Even Thai
02:16 The Dictator Who Made It Happen
03:33 How Pad Thai Became Government Policy
05:15 The Global Thai Restaurant Takeover
06:22 The Export Version vs The Real Thing
06:53 Ingredient Breakdown
10:00 Prepping and Sauce
12:38 Shrimp Shallot Oil
14:03 Wok Fry
17:12 Taste Test and Final Thoughts
________________________________________________________
#padthai #foodhistory #thaifood
Disclaimer: I earn commission income with qualifying purchases made through Amazon’s Affiliate program and other affiliate links in this description.
The Pad Thai you order from your local Thai spot was built for you specifically, and not in a good way.
The full story involves a military dictator who needed to invent a national identity fast, a government program that deliberately carpeted the globe in Thai restaurants, and a robot with a metal tongue whose entire job was to decide if your noodles were officially Thai enough. Somewhere in all of that, the version that conquered America quietly became a sweeter, milder export model that Thai people don't actually eat at home.
In this episode I make the real thing from scratch and compare it to the takeout spot down the street. The shrimp won the fight.
RECIPE:
adamwitt.co/allrecipes/padthai
đź‘•SUPPORT THE CHAN, COP SOME MERCH!: https://adamwitt.store/
🫶CONTRIBUTE TO THE GROCERY FUND! (Patreon): patreon.com/adamwitt
đź‘ľDISCORD: discord.com/invite/aFQ4h4BXg4
đź“ťMORE RECIPES: adamwitt.co/allrecipes
đź”—FOLLOW ALONG ON SOCIAL: adamwitt.co/social-links
________________________________________________________
STUFF I USE…
My Cookware Set: amzn.to/3vaWhbG
My Dutch Oven: amzn.to/48MKuhq
Portable Single-burner Stove: amzn.to/3IytyjV
Butane Torch: amzn.to/48TkQra
Deli Containers: amzn.to/49QO635
Large Mason Jars (32oz, wide mouth): amzn.to/49QO635
Rust-proof Mason Jar Lids: amzn.to/49QWlfy
Butane Canisters: amzn.to/3wLUtpM
Coarse Reinforced Strainer: amzn.to/3PePLHK
Fine Mesh Reinforced Strainer: amzn.to/3TxvkYP
Sheet Trays: amzn.to/3IG3zXL
The BEST Smash Burger Spatula: amzn.to/3UdSHab
Cutting Board Scraper: amzn.to/3Jy64fx
Ice Cream Maker: amzn.to/3wd2vIu
My Induction Burner: amzn.to/4dfhJNE
________________________________________________________
TIMESTAMPS…
00:00 Why Is There a Thai Restaurant Everywhere
01:48 Is Pad Thai Even Thai
02:16 The Dictator Who Made It Happen
03:33 How Pad Thai Became Government Policy
05:15 The Global Thai Restaurant Takeover
06:22 The Export Version vs The Real Thing
06:53 Ingredient Breakdown
10:00 Prepping and Sauce
12:38 Shrimp Shallot Oil
14:03 Wok Fry
17:12 Taste Test and Final Thoughts
________________________________________________________
#padthai #foodhistory #thaifood
Disclaimer: I earn commission income with qualifying purchases made through Amazon’s Affiliate program and other affiliate links in this description.
