What Pad kra pao is
Stir-fried meat with holy basil and chilli, served with rice.
Pad kra pao is listed as a dish in the Thailand guide, where the index tags it rice-based. That is the useful shorthand, but it is not the whole story: the same name can cover a breakfast version, a street version and a restaurant version with different garnishes and prices.
Where to find Pad kra pao
Pad kra pao is listed as nationwide rather than tied to one city, so it is a safe thing to look for wherever you land in Thailand. Markets and casual counters are the best value; the sit-down restaurant version is usually larger and more expensive.
The Thailand guide also covers 6 dishes and 2 bakery items; open the country page for the full menu and the other places in the index.
What it costs
Pad kra pao sits in the budget band, which we define as usually under US$8. Across the 8 food entries we track for Thailand, 5 are budget, 3 are mid-range and 0 are premium.
| Band | Typical range | Items | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | usually under US$8 | 5 | Pad thai, Pad kra pao, Som tam |
| Mid-range | roughly US$8–20 | 3 | Green curry, Vegetable green curry, Tom yum goong |
| Premium | usually US$20 and up | 0 | — |
Within this list, Pad kra pao is one of 6 dish entries and 5 budget items; 3 items share the rice-based tag.
Dietary notes
- No dietary flags in our data: the index does not mark this item vegetarian, halal, pork, seafood or alcohol, so ask the kitchen about ingredients.
How to order it
- Rice is the base of the plate. Ask whether it is included or charged separately, and whether refills are free.
- Ask for the price before ordering, especially where the menu lists market price or sells by weight.
Pair it with
These are the Thailand items that make most sense alongside Pad kra pao, either as a second course or as the drink that finishes the meal.
Closest matches on the menu
These Thailand items share the most tags with Pad kra pao, so they are the most useful comparisons for flavour, price and preparation.
Thailand food guide · Thailand drinks guide · Dietary guides
Pad kra pao: common questions
What is Pad kra pao?
Stir-fried meat with holy basil and chilli, served with rice. It is listed in the TasteBridge Thailand guide as a dish.
How much does Pad kra pao cost in Thailand?
Expect the budget band: usually under US$8. Prices move with the city and the venue, so treat this as a planning figure rather than a fixed menu price.
Is Pad kra pao vegetarian?
Pad kra pao is not tagged vegetarian in our data. Ask before ordering if you avoid meat, fish or animal fats; the recipe can vary by kitchen.
Where can I try Pad kra pao?
Our index lists it across Thailand, so it is not tied to one address. Ask locally which version is served at breakfast, lunch or late evening, because the same name can cover different presentations.
Indexed as dish for Thailand. Price bands are planning estimates, not live menu prices. Last reviewed 2026-11-06.