Chicken stir-fried with cashew nuts
Gai Pad Med Mamuang is a chicken and cashew nut stir-fry, one of the most popular Thai dishes among foreigners. Chicken pieces are wok-fried with roasted cashews, dried chilies, onions, bell peppers and a sauce of oyster sauce, soy sauce and a touch of sugar. The result is a flavorful dish with a beautiful balance of crunchy nuts, tender chicken and sweet sauce. It is a mild and accessible dish, perfect for those who do not like too much spice.
This dish is an example of Sino-Thai fusion. Cashew nuts, originally from Brazil, were introduced to Thailand by the Portuguese in the 16th century. The wok stir-fry technique is Chinese, but the seasoning is typically Thai. Gai Pad Med Mamuang has become a classic of Thai restaurants worldwide.