Pad Thai vs. Pad See Ew vs. Drunken Noodles: Which Thai Noodle Is for You?

Three Thai noodles compared

Three Thai noodle dishes fill most of our orders at Mai Thai Sushi & Ramen in Stuart, FL: Pad Thai, Pad See Ew and Drunken Noodles. They look similar on a menu but taste very different. Here is how to choose.

Quick comparison

• Pad Thai ($13.95): thin rice noodles; sweet, tangy and nutty; with bean sprouts, egg, scallions and peanuts.
• Pad See Ew ($13.95): wide flat noodles; savory, smoky and mild; with egg, carrot and broccoli.
• Drunken Noodles ($14.95): wide noodles; bold, peppery and aromatic; with egg, broccoli, onion, bell pepper, bamboo shoots and Thai ginger.

Pad Thai: the crowd-pleaser

Pad Thai is the best first order if you are new to Thai food. The thin rice noodles soak up a sweet-tangy sauce, and crushed peanuts add crunch. Choose your protein and add a squeeze of lime.

Pad See Ew: comfort in a bowl

Pad See Ew uses wide, flat noodles seared in the wok for a lightly caramelized, savory flavor. It is milder than the other two, so it is great for kids and anyone who prefers less spice.

Drunken Noodles: for bold flavor

Drunken Noodles (Pad Kee Mao) are the boldest of the three, loaded with vegetables and aromatic Thai ginger. Order these when you want big flavor.

Can't decide? Share them

Order two dishes for the table and split them, then add a Krab Rangoon or Vegetable Spring Rolls to start. Find us at 4245 SE Federal Hwy, Suite A, Stuart, FL 34997, Tuesday to Sunday, 2 to 10:30 PM, or order Thai noodles online.