Rad Na Thai Rice Noodles with Gravy (Thai Street Food Recipe)
If you love Thai street food, then you must try Rad Na—one of the most comforting and satisfying Thai noodle recipes ever. It’s made with wide rice noodles stir-fried until slightly smoky, then topped with a thick, glossy savory gravy loaded with vegetables and your choice of protein.
The taste is rich, salty, a little sweet, and full of umami—perfect for anyone who loves Thai flavors but wants something hearty and filling.
In this post, I’ll show you how to make Rad Na Thai rice noodles with gravy at home in a simple way, with the exact technique to get that street-style taste and texture.
Let’s start 😄🍜🔥
Quick Recipe Info
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Servings: 2–3
- Difficulty: Easy to Medium
What is Rad Na?
Rad Na (sometimes written as Rat Na) is a classic Thai noodle dish where:
✅ rice noodles are stir-fried
✅ topped with thick gravy (similar to a savory sauce)
✅ includes vegetables like Chinese broccoli (gai lan)
✅ and often chicken, pork, or seafood
The gravy is thickened using cornstarch and flavored with Thai sauces like:
- soy sauce
- oyster sauce
- sometimes black soy sauce
- and a hint of sugar for balance
Rad Na is usually served as a full meal, and it’s especially popular because it’s not too spicy, making it family-friendly.
Ingredients for Rad Na Thai Rice Noodles
For the Noodles
- 250g wide rice noodles (fresh is best)
✅ If using dried: cook as per package and drain well - 1 tbsp oil (for stir-frying noodles)
- 1 tbsp soy sauce (for seasoning noodles)
✅ Fresh wide rice noodles are called sen yai, which is the traditional choice for Rad Na.
Protein Options (Choose One)
Option 1: Chicken (Most Common)
- 200g chicken breast or thigh (thinly sliced)
Option 2: Pork
- 200g pork (thinly sliced)
Option 3: Tofu (Vegetarian)
- 200g firm tofu (cubed)
Option 4: Shrimp/Seafood
- 200g shrimp (cleaned)
Vegetables
- 1 cup Chinese broccoli (gai lan)
✅ If not available: use broccoli + spinach mix - 1/2 cup carrots (thin slices)
- 1/2 cup baby corn (optional)
- 1/2 cup bell peppers (optional)
- 1 small onion (sliced)
✅ Rad Na tastes best with greens, so don’t skip them.
For the Thai Gravy Sauce
- 2 cups chicken stock (or vegetable stock for veg version)
- 2 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp dark soy sauce (for color, optional)
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 cloves garlic (chopped)
Gravy Thickener
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 3 tbsp water (to make slurry)
✅ Cornstarch slurry is what gives Rad Na that thick glossy gravy.
Tools You’ll Need
- Wok or large pan
- Saucepan (optional)
- Mixing bowl
- Spatula
- Strainer
Step-by-Step Rad Na Thai Rice Noodles with Gravy Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Cornstarch Slurry
In a small bowl:
- Add cornstarch.
- Add water.
- Mix well until smooth.
✅ Keep this ready—Rad Na gravy thickens quickly.
Step 2: Stir Fry the Rice Noodles
- Heat 1 tbsp oil in a wok/pan.
- Add wide rice noodles.
- Stir fry on medium-high for 2–3 minutes.
- Add 1 tbsp soy sauce and toss again.
✅ Street-style tip:
Let noodles sit untouched for 15–20 seconds to get a slight smoky char.
Once noodles are cooked and slightly browned, remove them to a plate.
Step 3: Cook Garlic and Protein
- In the same pan, add a little oil if needed.
- Add chopped garlic and sauté for 20 seconds.
- Add sliced chicken/pork/tofu.
- Stir fry for 3–4 minutes until almost cooked.
✅ If using shrimp: cook just 2 minutes (shrimp overcooks fast).
Step 4: Add Vegetables
- Add onions + carrots + baby corn.
- Stir fry for 2 minutes.
- Add Chinese broccoli (or broccoli/spinach mix).
Cook for 1–2 minutes until veggies are slightly tender but still fresh.
✅ Keep veggies crunchy, not mushy.
Step 5: Add Stock and Sauces for Gravy
Now pour in:
- stock
- oyster sauce
- soy sauce
- dark soy sauce (optional)
- sugar
- black pepper
Mix well and bring it to a simmer.
✅ Taste check:
It should taste salty + savory + slightly sweet.
Step 6: Thicken the Gravy
- Lower the flame.
- Slowly add cornstarch slurry while stirring continuously.
- Within 30–60 seconds, gravy becomes thick and glossy.
✅ If gravy becomes too thick, add a little more stock/water.
✅ If gravy is too thin, add a little more slurry.
Step 7: Assemble the Dish
- Place stir-fried rice noodles in a plate/bowl.
- Pour hot gravy on top generously.
- Serve immediately.
Your delicious Rad Na Thai rice noodles with gravy are ready!
How to Make Rad Na Taste Like Thai Street Food
✅ Use wide rice noodles (sen yai)
✅ Stir fry noodles on high heat for smoky flavor
✅ Use oyster sauce for authentic gravy taste
✅ Add black pepper for that signature Thai punch
✅ Balance flavors—salty + slight sweetness
✅ Don’t overcook vegetables
Serving Suggestions
Rad Na tastes best served hot with:
✅ Chili vinegar (Thai style)
✅ Sliced green chilies
✅ A squeeze of lime (optional)
✅ Crispy fried garlic topping (optional)
If you want more heat, serve with Thai chili flakes on the side.
Rad Na Recipe Variations
1) Vegetarian Rad Na
Use tofu + vegetable stock and replace oyster sauce with vegetarian mushroom sauce.
2) Seafood Rad Na
Add shrimp + squid mix for a seafood style street-food version.
3) Spicy Rad Na
Add chili paste or chopped Thai chilies to the gravy.
4) Rad Na with Egg
Top with a fried egg or scrambled egg for extra richness.
5) Rad Na with Thick Extra Gravy
If you love more gravy (like me), increase stock by 1 cup and adjust slurry.
Tips for Perfect Noodles
✅ If using fresh noodles and they stick together:
Separate gently with hands before frying.
✅ If using dried noodles:
Cook until just soft, drain well, and toss with a few drops of oil to avoid sticking.
✅ Don’t over-stir while frying noodles—let them char slightly.
Storage & Shelf Life
✅ Store noodles and gravy separately for best results.
Fridge Storage
- Noodles: 1–2 days
- Gravy: 2 days
Reheating
- Reheat gravy in pan + add little water if thick
- Heat noodles separately in a pan with a few drops of oil
- Combine and serve
⚠️ If you store them mixed together, noodles may become too soft.
Nutrition (Approx Per Serving)
Depends on protein and sauces.
- Calories: 400–550 kcal
- Carbs: 55–70g
- Protein: 20–30g
- Fat: 12–18g
✅ Veg tofu version will be lighter than pork version.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Using thin noodles instead of wide rice noodles
❌ Not frying noodles enough (no smoky flavor)
❌ Adding slurry too fast (gravy becomes lumpy)
❌ Overcooking vegetables (turn mushy)
❌ Not tasting gravy before thickening
❌ Making gravy too thick like jelly
Conclusion
This Rad Na Thai rice noodles with gravy recipe is a perfect Thai comfort meal you can make at home in under 30 minutes. It’s flavorful, filling, and super satisfying—especially when you want restaurant-style noodles without spending money outside.
If you’re a noodle lover, Rad Na should definitely be on your must-try list. Once you make it, you’ll realize how easy Thai street food can be in your own kitchen 🍜🔥
