Chef Yoon Nam-no's Convenience Store Ramen Pad Thai
A convenience store Ramen Pad Thai recipe featured on Netflix's 'Culinary Class Wars' by Yoon Nam-no. Peanut butter, oyster sauce, and bean sprouts combine to create an authentic Thai flavor.
Servings Ingredient Calculator
Default: 1 serving (Adjusts quantities automatically)
🥬 Main Ingredients
- Ramen noodles (Shin Ramyun or Sesame Ramen)1 pack
- Bean sprouts100g
- Chicken breast sausage1 stick (70g)
- Egg1 egg
- Minced garlic0.5 tbsp
- Cooking oil1.5 tbsp
🥣 Sauce & Seasoning
- Peanut butter1 tbsp
- Oyster sauce1 tbsp
- Ramen seasoning powder0.5 packet
- Sugar1 tbsp
- Lemon juice (or vinegar)1 tbsp
- Water3 tbsp
🌿 Toppings & Garnish
- Crushed peanuts1 tbsp
- Crushed red pepper flakes0.5 tsp
- Scallions (optional)a pinch
🔄 Ingredient Substitutes & Tips
| Original Ingredient | Recommended Substitute | Characteristics & Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Peanut butter | Almond butter or Tahini | Substitute 1:1; almond butter adds a lighter taste, while tahini offers a richer, nuttier flavor. |
| Bean sprouts | Soybean sprouts or Shredded cabbage | Substitute 1:1; soybean sprouts give a crunchier texture, while cabbage adds extra sweetness. |
| Chicken breast sausage | Regular sausage, Shrimp, or Ham | Substitute 1:1; using cocktail shrimp gives an authentic seafood Pad Thai vibe. |
| Oyster sauce | 0.8 tbsp Soy sauce + 0.2 tbsp Sugar (or Syrup) | Replace 1 tbsp oyster sauce with this mix; slightly less umami, but gives a clean sweet-and-salty flavor. |
| Crushed peanuts | Roasted sesame seeds or Crushed almonds/walnuts | Substitute 1:1; provides a similarly nutty texture and aroma instead of peanut flavor. |
📊 Estimated Nutrition (Per Serving)
👨🍳 Cooking Steps
Mix 1 tbsp peanut butter, 1 tbsp oyster sauce, 0.5 packet ramen seasoning, 1 tbsp sugar, 1 tbsp lemon juice, and 3 tbsp water in a bowl.
Boil ramen noodles in boiling water for about 2 minutes until slightly al dente, then drain.
Heat 1.5 tbsp oil in a pan, add 0.5 tbsp minced garlic and sliced sausage, stir-fry over medium heat for 1 minute.
Push ingredients to one side of the pan and scramble 1 egg in the empty space.
Add boiled noodles, prepared sauce, and 100g bean sprouts to the pan. Stir-fry rapidly over high heat for 1.5 minutes.
Transfer to a plate and garnish generously with crushed peanuts, red pepper flakes, and scallions.
🌟 Pro Chef Tips
- • Spicy ramen soup powders like Shin Ramyun or Sesame Ramen work best; adjust between 0.3 to 0.5 packets based on your salty preference.
- • Add bean sprouts at the absolute last step and toss quickly over high heat for maximum crunchiness.
- • Using real fresh lemon or lime juice instead of vinegar brings out a vastly superior tropical aroma.
⚠️ Avoid Common Pitfalls
- ❌ Fully boiling the noodles beforehand makes them mushy and break apart during stir-frying. Keep them firm and al dente.
- ❌ Adding peanut butter directly into the hot pan without pre-mixing with liquid causes clumping.
- ❌ Overcooking bean sprouts on medium-low heat releases excess moisture, making the noodles soggy and limp.
🧂 Spice & Seasoning Adjustments
- • Balance of sweet, sour, and salty is key.
- • Add 0.5 tbsp more sugar for sweet, or 0.5 tbsp lemon juice for fresh acidity.
- • If the peanut butter is too thick, add 1-2 tbsp water to adjust sauce consistency.
🧊 Storage & Reheating
- • Best consumed immediately after cooking.
- • Reheating leftovers is not recommended as bean sprouts wilt and noodles get soggy.
- • However, the mixed sauce can be meal-prepped and stored in an airtight container for up to 1 week in the fridge.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Which type of ramen noodles should I use?
A. Standard deep-fried soup ramen noodles like Shin Ramyun or Sesame Ramen work great. Slightly thick, chewy noodles absorb sauce better than super thin ones.
Q. Should I use crunchy or smooth peanut butter?
A. Either works wonderfully! Smooth peanut butter makes a silky uniform sauce, while crunchy adds extra crushed peanut textures.
Q. Can I make a lower-calorie diet version?
A. Yes! Swap instant ramen noodles with tofu noodles, konjac noodles, or rice sticks, and replace sausage with plain boiled chicken breast to reduce fat and calories.
Q. Are fresh cilantro or lemon slices essential?
A. They are optional, but adding fresh cilantro leaves or a fresh lemon squeeze right before eating delivers an authentic restaurant-level aroma.
Q. Is it possible to make this without ramen seasoning powder?
A. Yes! Replace ramen powder with 0.5 tbsp fish sauce and 0.5 tbsp soy sauce for a cleaner taste closer to authentic Thai street food.