Already popular before acceptance in the dictionary, Thai stir-fried noodles are now officially and universally well known

Pad Thai, one of the most beloved Thai dishes world-wide, has been added to the online Oxford Dictionary, gaining the same international status as the words “sushi” and “pizza.”

Under the food category, the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary defines Pad Thai as:

“A  dish from Thailand made with a type of noodles made from rice, spices, egg, vegetables and sometimes meat or seafood.”

Commonly served as street food in Thailand, the dish typically consists of stir-fried rice noodles, vegetables, eggs, tofu, and a protein such as shrimp, chicken, or beef. The stir-fried noodles are often seasoned with fish sauce, tamarind paste, sugar and chilli flakes, giving the dish a unique sweet, sour, and slightly spicy flavour, then often garnished with crushed peanuts and fresh herbs such as cilantro and scallions. What’s great about this versatile dish is that it can be customised to suit different dietary preferences and tastes.

Pad Thai originated in the mid-20th century, during a time of economic hardship in Thailand,  and was created as a way to use leftover ingredients to make a tasty and filling meal with limited resources.

Pad Thai’s popularity has been further boosted by its inclusion on many Thai restaurant menus around the world, as well as its accessibility as a street food dish. Its blend of flavours and textures has made it a favourite, and it is now considered one of the most famous Thai dishes.

Should other savoury Thai dishes be included in the dictionary? We believe there are two more that certainly deserve to be in the wordbook: the universally loved “Tom Yum Goong” and the refreshing salad made from the crunchy texture of papaya, “Som Tum”. Would you agree?