Hua Hin's Best Vegetarian Stir-Fry: An Easy Pad King Recipe

Executive Summary

This blog post shares a simple recipe for Vegetarian Pad King (Thai Ginger Stir-Fry), capturing the vibrant flavors of Hua Hin.

The dish features a healthy mix of firm tofu, broccoli, bell peppers, carrots, mushrooms, and fresh ginger. The vegetables and golden tofu cubes are quickly stir-fried with garlic and chili, then coated in a savory sauce made from soy sauce, vegetarian oyster sauce, and coconut sugar. Served piping hot over jasmine rice, this quick and flavorful dish offers a delicious, plant-based twist on a classic Thai favorite.

Mom’s Kitchen: Authentic Vegan Thai Food in Hua Hin

Ingredients:

• 200g firm tofu, cubed
• 1 cup broccoli florets
• 1 bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 medium-sized carrot, julienned
• 1 cup sliced mushrooms (shiitake or oyster mushrooms work well)
• 4 green onions, sliced diagonally
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for a gluten-free option)
• 1 tablespoon vegetarian oyster sauce
• 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon coconut sugar or brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons fresh ginger, finely sliced or julienned
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 red chili, thinly sliced (optional, for spice)
• Fresh cilantro for garnish (optional)
• Cooked jasmine rice for serving

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Ingredients:

   • Press the tofu to remove excess moisture and cut it into cubes.
   • Slice all the vegetables and set aside.

2. Make the Sauce:

   • In a small bowl, mix together soy sauce, vegetarian oyster sauce, light soy sauce, and coconut sugar. Set aside.

3. Stir-Fry:

   • Heat the vegetable oil in a wok or a large pan over medium-high heat.
   • Add tofu cubes and stir-fry until they turn golden brown. Remove tofu from the pan and set aside.

4. Cook Vegetables:

   • In the same pan, add a bit more oil if needed. Add sliced ginger, minced garlic, and chili (if using). Stir-fry for about 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
   • Add broccoli, bell pepper, carrot, and mushrooms. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are tender but still crisp.

5. Combine Tofu and Sauce:

   • Return the cooked tofu to the pan with the vegetables.
   • Pour the prepared sauce over the tofu and vegetables. Stir well to coat everything evenly.

6. Finish Cooking:

   • Add sliced green onions and stir for an additional 1-2 minutes until the green onions are slightly wilted, and the dish is heated through.

7. Serve:

   • Serve the vegetarian Pad King over cooked jasmine rice.
   • Garnish with fresh cilantro if desired.

Enjoy your delicious Vegetarian Pad King! Adjust the spice level and soy sauce according to your taste preferences.