Authentic Thai Recipe for
Stir Fried Pork with Basil & Chili

Authentic Thai Recipe for
Stir Fried Pork with Basil & Chili

ผัดกะเพราหมูไข่ดาว (Pad Kaprao Moo Kai Dow)

Currently rated:  
Rated 4.5 Stars from 5272 reader reviews

First published on January 19, 2015
Recipe by W. Tipsuwan

Authentic Thai recipe for Stir Fried Pork with Basil & Chili
Yield: 1 - 2 serving
Prep time: 5 Minutes
Cooking time: 5 Minutes
Ready in: 10 - 15 Minutes

Ingredient List:

About my Pad Kaprao Moo Kai Dow:

About my Pad Kaprao Moo Kai Dow:

Pad Kaprow (ผัดกะเพราหมู) is probably one of the most popular dishes in Thailand. It's a spicy stir fried dish made with chopped pork, basil, chilies, and garlic, and it's perfect for a one-dish meal over rice or as a side dish at a family style dinner. If you have been lucky enough to visit Thailand and had this while you were here, then you know that nothing beats Pad Krapow, except maybe Pad Kaprow Kai Dow (served with a fried egg). It's actually quite easy to make, and now you can try it at home with this restaurant perfected recipe from Worawut.

Please rate this recipe by giving it from 1 to 5 Stars:

Step by Step Directions:

Step by Step Directions:

How to Make Pad Kaprao Moo Kai Dow

How to Make Pad Kaprao Moo Kai Dow

Step 1

In order for your Pad Krapow to have the right flavor, you really need to use the type of basil that we call Krapow. Krapow is similar in flavor to Holy Basil. It has a strong spicy scent, similar to cloves, or cinnamon. Don't use Horapah, the other kind of basil used in Thai cooking that is commonly called Thai Basil. That has the wrong flavor completely.

Photo of How to Make Stir Fried Pork with Basil & Chili - Step 1

Step 2

Measure and prepare the ingredients. Pluck the leaves from your Krapow and cut the green beans into 1/2 inch pieces. Using a mortar and pestle, crush the garlic and chilies. Not too finely crushed, just enough to get the flavors out. You can also just chop them if you want.

Photo of How to Make Stir Fried Pork with Basil & Chili - Step 2

Step 3

If you are planning to serve a fried egg on the side, then you should fry it before you cook the Pad Krapow. If you want to make a real Kai Dow, then follow the video for my tips, otherwise any ordinary fried egg will still taste great with this dish.

Photo of How to Make Stir Fried Pork with Basil & Chili - Step 3

Step 4

Heat a wok or large frying pan over medium to high heat, and add about 1 - 2 Tablespoon of vegetable oil. When the oil gets hot, add the crushed garlic and chilies. Fry for about 30 seconds.

Photo of How to Make Stir Fried Pork with Basil & Chili - Step 4

Step 5

Add the chopped meat to the pan and mix it in well with the chilies and garlic. Fry for about 2 minutes, or until most of the pink color is gone from the meat and you can tell that it is nearly cooked.

Photo of How to Make Stir Fried Pork with Basil & Chili - Step 5

Step 6

Add the oyster sauce and light soy sauce to the meat and mix it in well. Fry for about 30 seconds.

Photo of How to Make Stir Fried Pork with Basil & Chili - Step 6

Step 7

Add the sugar and green beans to the pan and stir well. Fry for about 30 seconds, or until you are sure the sugar is all melted.

Photo of How to Make Stir Fried Pork with Basil & Chili - Step 7

Step 8

Add the dark sweet soy sauce to the pan and mix in well. Fry for about 1 minute, or until the meat is starting to get a little dry, and you can see it browning and sticking to the pan just a little. This browning adds a lot of great flavor.

Photo of How to Make Stir Fried Pork with Basil & Chili - Step 8

Step 9

Add about 1/8 to 1/4 cup of water. Stir it around and fully deglaze the pan to get all that flavor mixed back into the sauce. Fry for about 30 seconds to reduce the water back into a nice brown gravy.

Photo of How to Make Stir Fried Pork with Basil & Chili - Step 9

Step 10

Add the basil in, stirring quickly. Cook just for a few seconds, just long enough for the basil to wilt a little. Remove from the heat and serve immediately.

Photo of How to Make Stir Fried Pork with Basil & Chili - Step 10

Step 11

Serve along side some piping hot Thai Jasmine rice and top with a Kai Dow for a delicious one-dish meal, or serve on a small plate to be shared at the table for a family style meal.

Photo of How to Make Stir Fried Pork with Basil & Chili - Step 11
Watch the Complete Video Lesson:
Watch Video About Stir Fried Pork with Basil & Chili
Please rate this recipe by giving it from 1 to 5 Stars:

Subscribe, Follow, or Share:

Access 100 Free Thai Cooking Lessons: