Rad Na

Ever tried rad na? You should!

This is one of my favourite dishes from my cookbook ‘The Curry Guy Thai’. It is pretty simple to make but you do need to pay close attention when you’re frying the noodles.

You can make Rad Na in less than 30 minutes so it’s a great one for after work or when you want to impress your friends with your Thai cooking skills.

Photo by Kris Kirkham for my cookbook ‘The Curry Guy Thai’.

What is rad na?

Rad Na  is a popular Thai noodle dish known for its savoury and slightly sweet flavour. ‘Rad’ means to pour in Thai and ‘na’ means top. That’s what you will be doing here – pouring a delicious thick gravy all over the top of a nice pile of smoky seared noodles and pork.

If you are not used to using a wok, I recommend using a non-stick wok or pan for this one. If your wok skills are up to it, go for a well seasoned carbon steel wok to really bring out the smoky flavour in the noodles. Most non-stick woks cannot be used at a high temperature as it will ruin the non-stick coating.

Following I have listed some of the things that make rad na so amazing:

Ingredients:

Wide Rice Noodles: To make rad na, you need to use flat rice noodles that have a chewy texture.
Meat and Vegetables: Common proteins include chicken, pork, beef, or tofu, and it’s often combined with vegetables like Chinese broccoli (gai lan), bell peppers, or carrots. My version uses pork but feel free to add what you like.
Gravy/Sauce: The sauce is a mix of soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sometimes a bit of chicken or beef broth. You then thicken the sauce with cornstarch, creating a savoury, slightly sweet gravy that coats the noodles.

Cooking Method:

Stir-Frying: The noodles, meat, and vegetables are stir-fried together, with the sauce added towards the end of cooking to ensure everything is evenly coated.
Gravy: Typically, you pour the  sauce or gravy  over the noodles . You then cook it briefly to heat and thicken and as it does, it adheres to the noodles.

Which noodles should you use for rad na?

Rad na should be made with wide rice noodles, preferably homemade, though any flat rice noodles will work. It is best to cook your noodles over a  high heat to give them a bit of a char and smoky flavour. If you aren’t used to using a hot wok, go ahead and cook the par-boiled noodles over a medium heat in a non-stick pan. You may not achieve the smoky flavour but they will still be good.

You can do this in advance, as they do at many Thai restaurants. Ideally the hot noodles are first fried and then cooked with the remaining ingredients before adding the sauce.

The crispy, smoky texture and flavour of the noodles is what really makes the dish.

Can you make rad na without the special wide rice noodles?

Yes, you can make Rad Na without fat rice noodles, although it will change the texture and slightly alter the dish. Here are some alternatives you can use if you can’t find or prefer not to use wide rice noodles:

1. Thin Rice Noodles: You can use thin rice noodles as a substitute. They’ll have a different texture but can still absorb the sauce well. Make sure to adjust the cooking time as thin rice noodles cook faster than wide ones.

2. Udon Noodles: Udon noodles, which are thick, chewy Japanese wheat noodles, can be a good substitute. They have a different flavour and texture but work well with the savoury sauce.

3. Egg Noodles: You can also use egg noodles, which are slightly more flavourful and have a different texture than rice noodles. They will give the dish a richer taste and slightly different mouthfeel.

4. Flat Rice Noodles (Ho Fun): If you can find flat rice noodles that are not as wide as traditional Rad Na noodles, they can be a suitable alternative. They have a similar texture and work well with the sauce.

Tips for Substituting Noodles:

Adjust Cooking Times: Different types of noodles have different cooking times. Be sure to follow the package instructions and taste test to ensure they’re cooked to your liking.
Watch the Sauce: Some noodles may absorb sauce differently, so you might need to adjust the amount of sauce or thicken it slightly to suit your chosen noodle.

Can you store leftover rad na in the fridge?

Yes, you can store leftover Rad Na in the fridge. To keep it fresh and maintain its flavour and texture, you should let it cool to room temperature before storing in an air tight container for up to 3 days.

To reheat, I recommend that you heat it up in a pan or wok over a medium heat until hot. You can add a drop of water which will help loosen the noodles and prevent them from sticking.

You could also reheat rad na in your microwave, covered to retain the moisture. The best way to reheat is on the stove in a pan though.