Thailand Khao Pad Poo (Crab Fried Rice)
Khao pad poo, or crab fried rice, is a beloved Thai dish that combines the delicate sweetness of crab with the savory, aromatic flavors of fried rice. This dish is made by stir-frying jasmine rice with chunks of fresh crab meat, eggs, garlic, and onions in a hot wok. It is seasoned with soy sauce, fish sauce, and a hint of sugar, creating a perfect balance of salty, savory, and slightly sweet flavors. Often garnished with fresh cilantro, slices of cucumber, lime wedges, and sometimes green onions, khao pad poo is a simple yet indulgent meal. It is enjoyed as a comforting lunch or dinner and pairs wonderfully with a side of prik nam pla (chili sauce) for an extra burst of flavor. This dish reflects the Thai culinary tradition of turning fresh, high-quality ingredients into something satisfying and delicious.
Recipe Servings: 2
Ingredients
- 1 chile pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 Tbsp (30 ml) fish sauce, more as needed
- 1 tsp (5 ml) lime juice, more to taste
- 3 Tbsp (45 ml) cooking oil
- 5–6 cloves garlic, chopped
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 2½ cups (375 g) cooked rice
- 1 Tbsp (15 ml) soy sauce
- 2 tsp (10 ml) fish sauce
- 1 tsp (4.2 g) sugar
- ¼ tsp (0.6 g) ground white pepper
- 4.6 oz (130 g) roughly chopped crab meat, plus extra for garnish
- 2 green onions, chopped and divided
- Cucumber slices, as needed for serving
- 2 lime wedges
Directions
- Whisk together chile pepper, garlic, fish sauce, and lime juice in a small bowl.
- Set aside.
- Pour cooking oil into a wok or skillet set over medium heat.
- Add garlic to the hot oil and sauté until the smallest pieces start to turn golden.
- Add eggs and cook stirring to break up the pieces.
- Increase heat and then add rice, soy sauce, fish sauce, sugar, and white pepper, tossing to combine.
- Add crabmeat and stir-fry for about 2 minutes, occasionally letting the rice sit without stirring so that it can toast and develop flavor. Don’t break up the crab pieces too much.
- Turn off heat once the rice is dry and some of the grains are toasted.
- Stir in 1 chopped green onion.
- Divide rice mixture between two serving plates.
- Sprinkle each serving with the remaining crab meat and green onions.
- Serve crab fried rice with cucumber slices, lime wedges, and prik nam pla on the side.
For Prik Nam Pla:
For Crab Fried Rice:
Notes
- Real or imitation crab meat may be used.
Copyright © 1993—2025 World Trade Press. All rights reserved.