19/09/2023
Phat Kaphrao/Pad Kra Pao/ผัดกระเพรา [pʰàt kā.pʰrāw], a stir-fried dish that combines herb, spices, and seasoning. The dish is the most popular amongst locals and one of the most ordered Thai à la carte on street food. This “I have no clue what to eat dish” for Thai requires just a few ingredients and seasoning but its taste is so significant that many rely on it for their quick meal.
There is no clear evidence of how the dish existed to its current recipe but Holy basil was recorded using as a cooking ingredient since Ayuthaya Kingdom (1569–1767). Some studies claimed that Phat Kaphrao only existed around the 1940s-1950s but its recipes are commonly prepared since the dish was also promoted as a Thai national dish during ‘Thai cultural mandates’ along with other famous dishes such as Pad Thai.
The most discussed topic amongst the Thai about the dish is ‘Phat Kaphrao shouldn’t add any vegetable except holy basil leaf’, lately, many restaurants add more vegetables such as long beans, carrots or cabbage to decrease its hot and herby of the dish. As we researched, this recipe could sum up Thai favorite style of Phat Kaphrao
1. Stir-fried crushed chili and garlic
2. Add your favorite choice of protein (grounded pork is the most popular here!)
3. Seasoning with oyster sauce, fish sauce, soy sauce, dark soy sauce, and a little pinch of sugar
4. Turn off the heat, and add fresh Holy basil leaf.
5. Serve with white rice, fried egg is optional
But what is your favorite style of Phat Kaphrao? Discover more about Phat Kaprao with us at
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Kaprao