Thai Pad Prik King
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Thai Pad Prik King is a vibrant and aromatic stir-fry dish from Thailand, known for its bold flavors and rich, red curry paste coating. It typically features sliced meat (like pork, chicken, or beef) or tofu stir-fried with long beans, bamboo shoots, and a fragrant red curry paste made from dried chilies, lemongrass, galangal, and shrimp paste. The dish is often finished with a handful of kaffir lime leaves and served alongside steamed jasmine rice.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
Pad Prik King is a balanced dish that provides a good mix of protein from the meat or tofu and carbohydrates from the rice and vegetables. It is moderate in fat, primarily from the cooking oil and coconut milk sometimes used in the curry paste, and offers key nutrients like iron, fiber, and vitamins A and C from the chilies and vegetables. A typical serving with rice contains roughly 400-600 calories.
💡 What's interesting
Culturally, Pad Prik King is celebrated for its use of 'Prik King' curry paste, which is distinctively dry and intensely flavorful, often used in dishes meant to be less saucy than typical Thai curries. Nutritionally, the capsaicin in the chilies can boost metabolism, and the dish is a great example of how Thai cuisine balances heat, saltiness, and umami for a deeply satisfying meal.