Pla Kra Pao
Spicy Holy Basil Stir-fried Fish
Yes, with a tweak: request 'mai sai namtan' (no sugar), 'mai saiแป้ง' (no starch/thickener), and ensure the fish is pan-fried or baked, not deep-fried with batter. About 6g net carbs per serving, lower than 7 in 10 Thai dishes.
What it is
A popular and aromatic stir-fry featuring pan-fried or baked fish (avoiding deep-frying with batter) with plenty of fresh holy basil, garlic, and chilies. The dish has a savory, spicy, and herbal flavor profile, served without rice.
Key ingredients
White fish fillets (e.g., snapper, cod), holy basil leaves, garlic, fresh bird's eye chilies, green beans (minimal), fish sauce, low-carb soy sauce, cooking oil.
How to make it keto
Request 'mai sai namtan' (no sugar), 'mai saiแป้ง' (no starch/thickener), and ensure the fish is pan-fried or baked, not deep-fried with batter. Confirm no carrots, corn, or bamboo shoots.
Say this to the waiter (Thai)
ทอดเปล่าๆ ไม่ชุบแป้ง ไม่ใส่น้ำตาล ไม่ใส่แป้ง ไม่ใส่หน่อไม้ ไม่ใส่แครอท ครับ/ค่ะ
For Pla Kra Pao: fried plain with no batter, no sugar, no flour or cornstarch, no bamboo shoots, no carrots, please. Say it: thot plao plao, mai chup paeng, mai sai nam tan, mai sai paeng, mai sai no mai, mai sai khae-rot, khrap/kha.
Watch out for
Hidden sugar in stir-fry sauce. Starch thickeners. Fish might be deep-fried in batter (must specify no batter). Some restaurants add a lot of green beans or baby corn.
Macros are estimates for a typical serving and vary by restaurant. Confirm ingredients with staff, especially if you have allergies. Our ingredient lists are generated automatically and describe how a dish is typically made.
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