How many calories are in an order of Pad See Ew?

November 30, 2025 •

4 min read

The calorie count for a single order of Pad See Ew can vary significantly, ranging from approximately 400 to over 1,000 calories, depending on the restaurant, ingredients, and portion size. This wide range is mainly due to the oil used for stir-frying, the type and amount of protein, and the exact quantity of rice noodles.

Quick Summary

Pad See Ew's calorie count varies widely based on ingredients and serving size. Key factors include the amount of oil, protein type, noodle quantity, and sauce composition. A standard portion typically contains 400-600 calories, but restaurant servings can be much higher.

Key Points

Significant Calorie Variation: A restaurant order of Pad See Ew can range from 400 to over 1,000 calories, heavily influenced by portion size and cooking methods.
High Oil Content: Restaurant versions often use a generous amount of oil for stir-frying, which substantially increases the calorie count.
Noodles are Calorie Dense: The wide rice noodles are a major caloric contributor, with large restaurant portions packing a high carbohydrate load.
Protein Choice Matters: Leaner protein options like chicken breast or shrimp will result in a lower-calorie dish compared to pork or beef.
At-Home Control: Making Pad See Ew at home allows for precise control over ingredients like oil and sugar, enabling you to create a healthier version.
Comparison with Pad Thai: Both Pad See Ew and Pad Thai are calorie-dense, but Pad See Ew can be less sugary depending on the specific recipe and restaurant.
Prioritize Vegetables: Increasing the vegetable-to-noodle ratio is an effective strategy for lowering the calorie count while boosting fiber and nutrients.

The Surprising Range of Pad See Ew Calories

Pad See Ew is a beloved Thai dish featuring stir-fried wide rice noodles, Chinese broccoli, egg, and a savory dark soy sauce. While it might seem like a simple noodle dish, its caloric load can be deceivingly high. The variance in ingredients and cooking methods means that a single plate could contain anywhere from a moderate amount of calories to a substantial portion that rivals a large meal.

What Influences the Calorie Count?

Several components contribute to the total energy content of a plate of Pad See Ew. Understanding these factors can help you make more informed choices when ordering or cooking at home.

Oil Content: The single biggest variable is the amount of oil used for stir-frying. A home-cooked recipe might use only a tablespoon or two, while a restaurant version could use significantly more to achieve that signature silky texture and speed up cooking. Each tablespoon of oil adds roughly 120 calories, so excess oil can quickly inflate the total.
Noodle Portion Size: The foundation of Pad See Ew is the wide rice noodle. Restaurants often serve very generous portions of noodles, which are high in carbohydrates and contribute significantly to the calorie count. A single cup of cooked wide rice noodles can contain over 200 calories, and a standard restaurant portion often contains two or more cups.
Protein Choice: The type and quantity of protein will impact the nutritional profile. Chicken breast is typically leaner than beef or pork. Tofu is a great vegetarian option, but how it is prepared matters. Fried tofu will have more calories than baked or pan-seared tofu. Opting for shrimp is another lean protein choice. A portion with less protein and more vegetables will naturally be lower in calories.
Sauce Ingredients: The sauce for Pad See Ew is rich and flavorful, typically including dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sugar. While the soy sauces themselves are not extremely high in calories, the addition of sugar and oyster sauce can increase the energy density. Some recipes also include sweet soy sauce, which is even higher in sugar.

Comparison Table: Pad See Ew Calorie Variations


Feature	Restaurant Pad See Ew	Homemade Pad See Ew
Portion Size	Often large, sometimes up to 3-4 servings	Controlled, typically 1-2 servings
Oil Usage	Can be excessive; used for speed and flavor	Measured and minimal; a few tablespoons
Typical Calories	600-1000+ calories	400-600 calories
Protein	Varies, often with higher-fat options	Lean protein like chicken breast or tofu is common
Sodium Content	Very high due to commercial sauces and seasonings	Lower, as sauce ingredients can be controlled
Vegetable Ratio	Sometimes lower, with noodles as the star	Often higher, to bulk up the dish with nutrients
Control over Ingredients	Very little control over quality or quantity	Full control, allowing for customization and health focus

Tips for a Healthier Pad See Ew

For those watching their caloric intake, it is entirely possible to enjoy Pad See Ew with a few modifications.

Reduce the oil. Whether ordering out or cooking at home, ask for or use less oil. Many Thai restaurants are willing to accommodate this request.
Increase the vegetables. A higher ratio of Chinese broccoli, bok choy, or other vegetables to noodles will add fiber and nutrients while lowering the overall calorie count. This makes the dish more filling without adding excess carbohydrates.
Choose lean protein. Opting for chicken breast, shrimp, or a moderate portion of tofu over fattier cuts of meat can make a significant difference.
Manage the sauce. At home, reduce the amount of sugar in the sauce. When ordering out, you can ask for the sauce on the side or a lighter-sauced version. Some sources suggest a homemade version with reduced sugar can bring calories down considerably.

Pad See Ew vs. Other Thai Noodles

It's also useful to compare Pad See Ew to other popular Thai noodle dishes, such as Pad Thai. A key difference is the sauce. Pad Thai sauce contains tamarind paste and peanuts, which can add calories and sugar. However, both dishes are typically calorie-dense due to the noodles and oil. The key to moderation is in controlling the portion size and ingredient quality. Pad See Ew's simple, savory sauce can sometimes make it a slightly less sugary option than Pad Thai, but this is highly dependent on the recipe and restaurant.

Conclusion: A Delicious Dish, but Mind the Details

While a definitive answer to "how many calories are in an order of Pad See Ew" is elusive due to the vast range of preparation methods, a reliable estimate for a standard restaurant portion is often in the 600-900 calorie range, though it can exceed 1,000. For a more precise calorie count, consider making your own at home, where you can control the oil, sugar, and noodle quantities. Enjoying this delicious dish is all about balance and being mindful of the portion size and specific ingredients involved. It's a flavorful treat that can fit into a balanced diet with a little conscious effort.

Frequently Asked Questions

The average calorie count for a restaurant order is typically between 600 and 900 calories, though it can vary widely based on the portion size and cooking style.

You can reduce calories by asking for less oil, choosing a lean protein like chicken or tofu, and increasing the amount of Chinese broccoli or other vegetables instead of noodles. Making it at home gives you the most control over ingredients like oil and sugar.

While the noodles contribute significantly, especially in large restaurant portions, the oil used for stir-frying and the type of protein are also major calorie sources. A standard cup of cooked rice noodles is calorie-dense.

Pad See Ew is not typically a low-calorie dish due to the oil and high carbohydrate content. However, by modifying ingredients and portion sizes (e.g., more vegetables, less oil), it can be made into a more balanced and nutritious meal.

Yes, protein choice has a direct impact. Opting for leaner chicken breast, shrimp, or baked tofu will result in a lower-calorie dish compared to options with pork or beef.

A homemade version, where you can control the oil and ingredients, can range from 400 to 600 calories per serving, making it a much lighter option than many restaurant versions.

Both are calorie-dense, but the specific recipe dictates the difference. Pad Thai's sauce sometimes contains more sugar from tamarind and can have added calories from peanuts. Pad See Ew's savory sauce can sometimes be lower in sugar, but the oil and noodle content are similar variables.