Eating Phat Khi Mao is not for the faint hearted, this innocent looking stir fried noodles is one of the spiciest dishes you will ever get to eat. But then, if you want to experience the real taste of Thai street-side food then you ought to know what Phat Khi Mao is and how to eat Phat Khi Mao without burning your palate.

First let me begin by introducing you to this hot Thai noodles. Phat Khi Mao roughly means drunken fried noodles in English (Phat = fried, Khi mao = really drunk) – obviously not a graceful name for any food. Well, nobody knows why this dish is called so, but there are quite a few street side theories though:

• The dish is so spicy that one would need to drink non-stop and get drunk at the end of the meal!

•  Phat Khi Mao is so spicy that only a drunken cook could have conjured up the recipe.

• The spiciness of this dish can bring even a drunkard back to his senses.

Getting back to the recipe of Phat Khi Mao… it is believed that Phat Khi Mao was introduced to Thai cuisine by the Chinese living in Laos and Bangkok. Preparing Phat Khi Mao is pretty easy, broad rice noodles are stir fried with shredded meat, garlic, bean sprouts, veggies, sauces, seasonings, and lots of Thai holy basil and bird chili (the basil and chili contribute to the distinctive flavors and spiciness of the dish) and served hot. 

Phat Khi Mao is a popular Thai street food and you will find many street side stalls in Thailand offering Phat Khi Mao on their menu. When eating Phat Khi Mao, do not forget to order a can of chilled beer or fruit juice (for the teetotalers), you will need it. The trick to eating Phat Khi Mao without being overwhelmed by the heat is to go slow, take very small morsels and sip a bit of juice or beer after every bite. After a morsel or two, your system will get used to the heat and you will be able to enjoy the other savory flavors of the dish. After finishing off the Phat Khi Mao order a serving of Chaokuai - grass jelly served with shaved ice and brown sugar, the ice and sugar will surely bring your tongue back to senses!

However, if you feel you just cannot handle the rich peppery flavors of traditional Phat Khi Mao then try the other variation Phat Si Io – it is a moderate version of Phat Khi Mao and won’t burn your tongue as much. You can also, refer to these Thai recipes and try preparing Phat Khi Mao at home with less spices and enjoy the dish without sweating over the heat. 

Image credit: 3hungrytummies.blogspot.com, vagablogging.net