Book a chef near you

Choose your preference:

4 Persons

Pad Thai: The Noodle Dish that Helped Build a Nation

ChickenPadThai -CookinGenie

For many people, pad Thai—the delectable sweet, sour, and spicy stir fry of rice noodles, tofu, eggs, veggies, bean sprouts, crushed peanuts, and an umami-rich sauce that can be found on the menu of virtually every Thai restaurant in the US—is their first taste of Thai cooking.  

So, it’s interesting to learn that the dish that most Americans think of as the quintessential Thai food didn’t even exist until the mid-20th century 

In her book Materializing Thailandnutritional anthropologist Penny Van Esterik says that the dish was born out of prime minister Plaek Phibunsongkhram’s campaign throughout the 1930s and 40s to build a national identity for Thailand. Hoping to create a sense of pride in “Thai-ness” by uniting his country through culture, he changed the nation’s name from Siam to Thailand,  commissioned a new national anthem, banned local languages and dialects from schools, and set out to create a national dish.

(Also ReadTracing Tacos – A Journey Through Time)

Curiously, the main ingredient in the dish that Phibunsongkhramwho was known as Phibunpromoted isn’t even native to Thailand. Stir-fried rice noodles originated in China and were introduced to the kingdom of Siam by Chinese traders in the 1700s. But promoting a stir-fried noodle dish helped solve a serious problem that Phibun’s nation was facing: flooding and war had caused severe rice shortage, and encouraging people to eat noodles helped preserve the country’s precious rice supply.2 Phibun’s administration took the basic recipe for stir fried rice noodles and loaded it up with nutritious bean sprouts, onions, peanuts, eggs, meats, and a tamarind-based sauce, then encouraged vendors to sell the dish from street carts all over the country. It was, Phibun’s son later pointed out, the first fast food in Thailand.3   

Phibun’s efforts to make pad Thai part of his country’s heritage succeeded beyond his wildest dreams. Today, it is a staple of the Thai dietBeyond Thailand, it has become a beloved dish worldwide: In 2011, pad Thai ranked number 5 in CNN Go’s reader poll of the “World’s 50 Most Delicious Foods.”4 Wondering how this simple noodle dish became an international culinary superstarMark Padoongpatta professor of Asian and Asian American studies at the University of Nevada Las Vegas and the author of a history of Thai food, says this, too, was driven by the Thai government as an act of culinary diplomacy: in an effort to stimulate exports and encourage tourism, it established the Global Thai Restaurant Company, Ltd. to train chefs and send them around the world to open Thai restaurants5.     

And now, CookinGenie brings this beloved classic noodle dish tyour house. We offer three varieties of classic pad Thai—Chicken, Shrimp, and Vegetarian—cooked from scratch with wholesome, authentic ingredients like rice noodles, sweet-and-sour tamarind paste, spicy chile-garlic paste, and Thai preserved radish. Book your Genie to bring a true taste of Thailand to your very own kitchen. 

You May Also Like

Cooking Classes in Cincinnati

Aug 10, 2023

Everything You Need to Know About Cooking Classes in Cincinnati, OH

Envision the symphony of sizzling onions meeting a searing pan, the irresistible aroma of freshly baked bread enveloping the senses, and the profound satisfaction of crafting culinary artistry. Welcome to...

Read More

Labor Day in Cleveland

Aug 09, 2023

Activities to Enjoy on Labor Day in Cleveland

Labor Day is more than just a day off; it’s a tribute to the hard work and dedication of the people who run our communities. This day honors the contributions...

Read More

Top Foods to Boost Your Immune System

Oct 18, 2022

Top 10 Foods to Boost Your Immunity System

There are a lot of things that can weaken our immunity and make us more susceptible to illnesses. These include poor nutrition, stress, lack of sleep, and exposure to toxins.  ...

Read More

The History of Wineries and Vineyards

Nov 12, 2022

The History of Wineries and Vineyards in Ohio

Ohio is home to a rich viticultural history, with the first grapes (Alexander and Isabella) planted in the Ohio River Valley in 1823. Since then, the Ohio wine industry has...

Read More

birthday party at home - CookinGenie

Oct 25, 2021

How to organize a birthday party at home?

Birthday parties are fun for young and old. However, having a birthday party at your house for your parents, children, yourself, or other loved ones may seem like a hassle,...

Read More

Dec 18, 2022

Easy and Enjoyable Vegetarian Dishes to Serve at a Dinner Party

Vegetarian cuisine has become increasingly popular over the years, and there’s nothing quite like serving up a delicious feast of vegetarian dishes at a dinner party! Vegetarian food is flavorful,...

Read More

Spooky Ingredients for Your Halloween Party Meal

Oct 28, 2022

Spooky Dishes for Halloween Parties by CookinGenie

At CookinGenie, we take pride in cooking up every out-of-the-box request our customers make. Because creating extraordinary dining experiences is our passion! So, we got creative when a customer requested...

Read More

Sep 16, 2019

Eating healthy & fresh – challenges for a family

You already have a lot on your plate – juggling kids sports, school events, professional schedules, groceries, shopping, and kids’ homework.Exhausting? We think so. Add an early morning or a...

Read More

How to Elevate Dining Experience

Oct 01, 2021

Elevate your Dining Experience with Your Own Personal Chef

Have a hankering for French food?  How about Italian, Mexican, or maybe Korean? Have adventurous taste buds? You might like to try something new, perhaps Peruvian, or Greek? Luckily, there’s CookinGenie, an amazing online service that...

Read More

Book A Personal Chef

Don't settle for ordinary, elevate your event with a personal chef

You May Also Like

Memorial Day Recipe

Apr 21, 2023

7 Memorial Day Recipes to Kickstart Your Summer Celebrations

Summer is just around the corner, and what better way to jumpstart the season than with a sizzling Memorial Day celebration? Whether you are planning a backyard barbecue with friends...

Read More

New Year Eve Celebrations in Columbus

Jul 06, 2023

Tips for the Perfect New Year’s Eve Celebrations in Columbus

As the clock ticks closer to midnight, anticipation for the New Year’s Eve festivities fills the air. It’s a time of celebration, togetherness, and new beginnings—a momentous occasion that must...

Read More

Meal Delivery for Seniors vs. Senior Home Care vs. Personal Chefs

Sep 01, 2022

Meal Delivery for Seniors vs. Senior Home Care vs. Personal Chefs: Whom to Choose?

As we grow old, our bodies change, and we often require different types of food to stay healthy. Such changes can sometimes be challenging for seniors, as many older adults...

Read More

Techniques for Using Oil and Vinegar

Feb 06, 2023

Unlock Deliciousness: Using Oil and Vinegar for Optimal Emulsion 

Oil and vinegar emulsion is a sauce commonly used to dress salads, sandwiches, and other dishes. This versatile sauce has been around for hundreds of years, but its recent popularity...

Read More

Is Hiring a Personal Chef Worth It

Sep 29, 2022

Is Hiring a Personal Chef Worth It?

The personal chef concept has been around for a while now, with more and more people hiring personal chefs to take care of their dietary needs. But is it worth...

Read More

save time with personal chef - CookinGenie blog

Nov 26, 2021

How to Save Hours Per Week with a Personal Chef?

At first glance, most people don’t think much about the benefits of hiring a personal chef to come in once in a while to prepare a meal. For many, all they focus...

Read More

Charcuterie - CookinGenie blog

Apr 26, 2021

How to Dazzle Your Dinner Party Guests? A Charcuterie Spread May Be The Answer

Whether it be displayed out at your dinner party, the beginning of date night, or accompanying your favorite bottle of wine, a charcuterie board is a perfect accouterment. Charcuterie (pronounced “shahr–kyut-uh-ree”) is...

Read More

Food Tour in Columbus

Sep 15, 2023

How to Do a Food Tour in Columbus, Ohio?

If you’re a food lover or an adventurous eater, embarking on a food tour in Columbus is an absolute must. From local favorites and international cuisines to innovative eateries and...

Read More

Everything about Charcuterie boards_ What is it, what it contains, trends, and more

Jan 28, 2023

Everything about Charcuterie boards: What is it, what it contains, trends, and more

Are you looking to elevate your next party or get-together with something new, delicious, and Insta-worthy? Enter: Charcuterie boards. Charcuterie boards are seeing a massive boom in popularity right now...

Read More

hubspot