Hoy Lai Pad Nam Prik Pao Recipe: Thai Stir-Fried Clams with Chili Paste
If you love seafood packed with bold Thai flavors, you need to try Hoy Lai Pad Nam Prik Pao (หอยลายผัดน้ำพริกเผา). This classic Thai dish features tender clams stir-fried with Nam Prik Pao, a smoky, slightly sweet chili paste that elevates the natural briny flavor of shellfish. It’s quick to cook, delicious, and perfect as a main dish for rice or as part of a Thai-inspired feast.
Ingredients (2–3 servings)
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500g fresh clams (hoy lai), cleaned and soaked in salted water for 30 minutes to remove sand
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3 cloves garlic, minced
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2 Thai bird’s eye chilies, sliced (optional, adjust to taste)
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2 tbsp Nam Prik Pao (Thai roasted chili paste)
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1 tbsp vegetable oil
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1 tbsp oyster sauce
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1 tsp fish sauce
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1 tsp sugar (or palm sugar)
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50 ml water or clam broth
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Fresh Thai basil or cilantro for garnish
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Lime wedges for serving
Instructions
1. Prepare the clams
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Soak the clams in salted water for 30 minutes to remove sand. Rinse thoroughly.
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Drain and set aside.
2. Stir-fry the aromatics
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Heat vegetable oil in a wok or large pan over medium-high heat.
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Add garlic and chilies, stir-fry until fragrant (about 30 seconds).
3. Add the chili paste
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Stir in Nam Prik Pao and cook for 1 minute to release its aroma.
4. Cook the clams
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Add the clams to the wok along with oyster sauce, fish sauce, sugar, and water (or clam broth).
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Stir-fry for 3–5 minutes until the clams open. Discard any that remain closed.
5. Finish and serve
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Toss everything to coat the clams in the sauce.
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Garnish with fresh Thai basil or cilantro.
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Serve immediately with steamed jasmine rice and lime wedges on the side.
Tips for the Best Hoy Lai Pad Nam Prik Pao
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Fresh clams are essential — they should smell like the sea, not fishy.
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Adjust the amount of chili paste to your heat preference. Nam Prik Pao is smoky and slightly sweet, so a little goes a long way.
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Use clam broth or water to create a flavorful sauce; the sauce should be slightly thick but not dry.
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Serve immediately—this dish tastes best hot and fresh.
Hoy Lai Pad Nam Prik Pao is a perfect example of how simple ingredients can deliver big Thai flavors. The combination of smoky chili paste, tender clams, and aromatic herbs will transport your taste buds straight to the streets of Thailand.
