Pad Thai
Thailand's most famous noodle dish: rice noodles stir-fried with egg, tamarind sauce, fish sauce, and bean sprouts, typically served with crushed peanuts and lime.
Allergen data cross-referenced against published allergen databases.
Your dietary restrictions
The full allergen breakdown is below. Select your restrictions to see a personalized safety status.
Full allergen breakdown
Ingredients
- rice noodles (Gluten)
- egg (Egg)
- fish sauce (Fish)
- tamarind paste
- palm sugar
- bean sprouts
- scallions
- tofu or shrimp or chicken (Shellfish)
Hidden Ingredients
These ingredients are not typically listed on menus but are present in traditional preparations.
- crushed peanuts as default topping
- dried shrimp in the sauce base
- shrimp paste in some restaurant versions
Allergen Breakdown
Dairy-Free
Likely OKTraditional pad thai contains no dairy ingredients.
Gluten-Free
Check with staffRice noodles are gluten-free, but some restaurants add soy sauce or oyster sauce which contain wheat. Verify with the restaurant.
Peanut-Free
Likely contains restrictionCrushed peanuts are a standard topping, often pre-mixed into the dish. Peanut is a core component of authentic pad thai.
Tree Nut-Free
Likely OKTraditional pad thai does not contain tree nuts.
Shellfish-Free
Check with staffDried shrimp is commonly added to pad thai sauce. Versions with visible shrimp toppings add further crustacean exposure. Ask specifically about dried shrimp in the sauce.
Egg-Free
Likely contains restrictionEgg is scrambled directly into the noodles during stir-frying and cannot be removed.
Fish-Free
Likely contains restrictionFish sauce (nam pla) is the primary seasoning and is non-negotiable in traditional pad thai.
Soy-Free
Check with staffSome versions add soy sauce or are cooked in shared woks with soy-containing dishes. Verify with the restaurant.
Sesame-Free
Likely OKSesame is not a traditional ingredient in pad thai.
Vegetarian
Check with staffFish sauce is standard. Vegetarian versions exist but must be specifically requested and verified.
| Restriction | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dairy-Free | Likely OK | Traditional pad thai contains no dairy ingredients. |
| Gluten-Free | Check with staff | Rice noodles are gluten-free, but some restaurants add soy sauce or oyster sauce which contain wheat. Verify with the restaurant. |
| Peanut-Free | Likely contains restriction | Crushed peanuts are a standard topping, often pre-mixed into the dish. Peanut is a core component of authentic pad thai. |
| Tree Nut-Free | Likely OK | Traditional pad thai does not contain tree nuts. |
| Shellfish-Free | Check with staff | Dried shrimp is commonly added to pad thai sauce. Versions with visible shrimp toppings add further crustacean exposure. Ask specifically about dried shrimp in the sauce. |
| Egg-Free | Likely contains restriction | Egg is scrambled directly into the noodles during stir-frying and cannot be removed. |
| Fish-Free | Likely contains restriction | Fish sauce (nam pla) is the primary seasoning and is non-negotiable in traditional pad thai. |
| Soy-Free | Check with staff | Some versions add soy sauce or are cooked in shared woks with soy-containing dishes. Verify with the restaurant. |
| Sesame-Free | Likely OK | Sesame is not a traditional ingredient in pad thai. |
| Vegetarian | Check with staff | Fish sauce is standard. Vegetarian versions exist but must be specifically requested and verified. |
Key risk: Pad Thai contains egg scrambled directly into the noodles during cooking, which cannot be removed. Peanuts are served as a default garnish, not as an optional topping, and arrive pre-mixed at many restaurants. The fish sauce base makes this dish unsafe for fish allergies. Dried shrimp is sometimes added to the sauce and is invisible in the finished dish.
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Scan a menu nowImportant: Dish Scout is a reference guide, not medical advice. Traditional recipes vary by restaurant, region, and chef. Always verify ingredients with restaurant staff before ordering. When in doubt, don't eat it.