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The disputed history of pad Thai

It鈥檚 one of the most popular dishes in South East Asian cooking. However, the origins of pad Thai are disputed. Thai food writer Chawadee Nualkhair speaks to Matt Pintus.

It鈥檚 one of the most popular dishes in South East Asian cooking and for many it鈥檚 seen as Thailand鈥檚 national dish. However, the origins of pad Thai are disputed.

Some believe it was created and taken to the country centuries ago by Chinese immigrants. Others believe it was invented during the rule of military dictator, Plaek Phibunsongkhram, as a way of cementing Thai nationalism in the 1940s.

Thai food writer Chawadee Nualkhair dissects all the theories with Matt Pintus.

(Photo: Pad Thai. Credit: Getty Images)

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9 minutes

Last on

Fri 29 Dec 2023 03:50GMT
大象传媒 World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

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