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what noodles pad thai

Pad Thai is made with rice noodles , specifically thin, flat rice stick noodles (often labeled “rice stick noodles” or simply “pad thai noodles” on the package).

What kind of noodles are used?

  • They are gluten‑free rice noodles , usually about 1/4 inch wide and sold dried in bundles.
  • Before cooking, they are soaked in warm or hot water until pliable but still firm, then stir‑fried in the wok until tender‑chewy.

Why these noodles?

  • Rice noodles soak up the sweet‑sour‑savory pad thai sauce (tamarind, fish sauce, sugar) really well without becoming mushy.
  • They give the dish its signature soft‑yet‑chewy texture , which is a big part of why pad thai feels so comforting and popular at Thai restaurants worldwide.

So when people ask, “what noodles in pad thai?” the short answer is: thin, flat rice noodles.