What Is Thai Vegetable Stir-Fry (Pad Pak Ruam)?

Thai Vegetable Stir-Fry (Pad Pak Ruam) is a Thai home-style dish made by stir-frying mixed vegetables with garlic, fish sauce, and Golden Mountain sauce. It cooks in just 10–15 minutes, producing crisp-tender vegetables with a balanced savory, sweet, and slightly spicy flavor.

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First-Hand Experience Cooking Thai Vegetable Stir-Fry

I cooked this Thai vegetable stir-fry at home using fresh vegetables from the local market. It was a weekday family dinner that came together in under 15 minutes. The aroma of garlic and the distinctive flavor of Golden Mountain sauce made it immediately recognizable as Thai cuisine, and my family loved it.

Key Facts About This Vegetable Stir-fry 

• Origin: Thailand
• Cooking Time: 10–15 minutes
• Difficulty Level: Easy
• Servings: 2–4
• Special Notes: Optional protein additions include chicken or pork; spiciness is adjustable with Thai bird’s eye chili

How is This Stir-fry Different From the Chinese Version?

Thai vegetable stir-fry is inspired by Chinese-style stir-fry but distinguished by the use of fish sauce and Golden Mountain sauce. Golden Mountain sauce is a Thai soy-based seasoning similar to Maggi seasoning, which adds depth and authenticity to the dish. Unlike many Chinese stir-fries, Thai stir-fry does not use cornstarch slurry, keeping the sauce light and flavorful.

Who Is This For?

• Vegetarians who are looking for a quick, tasty meal
• Busy home cooks needing a fast dinner
• Thai cuisine enthusiasts wanting authentic flavors
• People seeking healthy, colorful vegetable dishes

Is Thai Vegetable Stir-Fry Worth Trying?

Yes, this Thai vegetable stir-fry is worth trying if you love garlic, crisp-tender vegetables, and a perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and savory flavors. It’s quick, easy to cook, and elevates ordinary vegetables into a flavorful meal. Perfect with jasmine rice, it’s suitable for both family dinners and weekday lunches.

How to Prepare the Stir-Fry Sauce

The stir-fry sauce is made by mixing the following ingredients to create a balanced Thai flavor.

• Fish sauce – adds umami
• Golden Mountain sauce – provides rich and savory flavor
• Oyster sauce (or vegan oyster sauce for vegetarians) – for depth
• Sugar – to balance the saltiness of fish sauce
• Optional: ground black pepper

To prepare, mix all ingredients before adding them to the wok to ensure even flavor distribution.

How to Stir-Fry the Vegetables

Below are the step-by-step instructions on how to prepare Thai mixed vegetable stir-fry. I strongly suggest that you watch the video embedded in the next section of this blog post for a demonstration.

Prepare vegetables:

• Separate Chinese broccoli stems and leaves; slice stems thinly.
• Cut cauliflower into small florets.
• Slice carrots into wedges or thin pieces.
• Halve snow peas and remove fibrous strings.
• Chop cabbage into 2-inch pieces.
• Soak shiitake mushrooms until soft, then slice into strips.

Cook aromatics and vegetables:

1. Heat oil in a wok or large skillet over medium heat. Sauté garlic and chilies until fragrant.
2. Add cauliflower, cabbage, and carrots; stir-fry 2 minutes, adding a splash of water if needed.
3. Add Chinese broccoli stems, shiitake mushrooms, and pre-mixed stir-fry sauce; stir 1–2 minutes.
4. Add Chinese broccoli leaves and snow peas; stir-fry 30 seconds over medium-high heat.
5. Serve immediately with steamed jasmine rice.

Practical Tips I want to share

• Use oils with a high smoke point, such as peanut, canola, or corn oil. Coconut oil can be used to add an authentic Thai aroma.
• Optional: Thai bird’s eye chili for spiciness; lightly smash the chilies rather than chopping
• Optional: Drizzle sesame oil before serving for extra flavor. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is Thai vegetable stir-fry vegetarian?

Yes, this recipe is vegetarian if you use vegan oyster sauce. Adding meat turns it into a non-vegetarian dish.

2. Can I use other vegetables?

Yes, bell peppers, bok choy, yellow squash, green beans, and Thai basil can also be used.

3. How long does it take to cook?

About 10–15 minutes, depending on the vegetables’ size and type.

4. What sauce substitutes can I use?

Soy sauce can replace Golden Mountain sauce in a pinch, and vegan oyster sauce can replace oyster sauce for vegetarian versions.

5. Should I serve it with rice?

Yes, jasmine rice is the traditional accompaniment and complements the flavors perfectly.

Related Thai Dishes You May Want to Try

Below are two Thai dishes I highly recommend if you enjoy authentic Thai food:

• Pad Thai: Classic Thai stir-fried noodle dish, quick and easy for first-time cooks.
• Thai Green Curry: Creamy, flavorful curry served with rice, perfect for a quick Thai meal at home.