We miss travel. We miss it A LOT!

I clearly remember how sad I was when our 5-day trip in Chiang Mai, Thailand ended last autumn, because it was so awesome that I didn’t even want to go back to Shanghai. The trip was too short. In the back of our heads, we knew that we would be visiting Thailand again sometime soon…

Thai Fried Squid With Basil Leaves

We did. Two months from our first visit in Thailand, we went back for 3 weeks! There were many glorious moments during that epic trip. Those moments included experiencing a blackout in the middle of a Ladyboys show at ASIATIQUE Night Market with my mom in Bangkok, drinking hard liquor directly from the bottle with friends on New Year’s Eve, and climbing on a sharp rock with only bikinis/swimming suits and rock climbing shoes and then jumping from 50 feet high directly into the ocean at Koh Phi Phi Island, etc.

Thai Fried Squid With Basil Leaves

I know, I know that it’s CRAZY! It was so much fun though!!! I still excitedly enjoy telling those stories whenever people mention Thailand. Stories are usually memories. They are experiences and they are the past. However, what if I tell you that there is a specific experience we had in Thailand that allows us to repeat it whenever and wherever we want??? Guess, you smart people! Big hint – this fried squid is an authentic Thai cuisine…

Thai Fried Squid With Basil Leaves

Bingo! It was cooking Thai food in Thailand! We spent an entire day in The Chiang Mai Thai Farm Cooking School to learn cooking real, legitimate, and local Thai food. My mom was ecstatic for the entire time. I am so glad that we did it, so I get to cook Thai food at home whenever. On top of that, I am so pleased to share the first Thai cuisine (of many) on this blog with you, so you get to cook some authentic Thai food at home as well! 🙂 You are welcome!

Thai Fried Squid With Basil Leaves

Don’t worry. This Thai dish doesn’t require any crazy ingredients that are hard to find, but still tastes super super Thai. I would say basil, fish sauce and oyster sauce are crucial in order to cook it successfully. Have these sauces in your kitchen already? Great! You are good to go. If not, pick them up now because we are going to use them quite often to make delicious Asian food!

Thai Fried Squid With Basil Leaves

Not a big fan of squid? Replace it with chicken to make a Phad Kaprao Gai. (You will find it on the menu of any reasonable Thai restaurant.) Pork, tofu and beef are other great alternatives.

Thai Fried Squid With Basil Leaves

We could hardly control our salivas while I was taking these photos. When we finally got to enjoy it with rice, there’s only one way to describe this dish – we felt like that we were back in Thailand!!! 😀

Thai Fried Squid With Basil Leaves

By the way, if you already subscribed to my newsletter, keep a close eye on your inbox, because a lucky reader is going to receive an $100 Amazon gift card TODAY! I hope it’s YOU! 🙂 If you missed this opportunity, no worries, because there will be plenty more surprises here on this blog. Just stay tuned.

Thai Fried Squid With Basil Leaves

Recipe adapted from The Chiang Mai Thai Farm Cooking School Recipe Book

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Thai Fried Squid with Basil Leaves

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 2 reviews
  • Author: Sharon Chen
  • Category: Main Course
  • Cuisine: Thai
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Description

An easy-to-make Thai fried squid that tastes surprisingly authentic. The same cooking method works well with chicken, beef and tofu! Go make your choice!

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 5 cloves of garlic, pressed or finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup onion, sliced
  • 2–3 hot chilies (I used dried ones.)
  • 1 lb squid, sliced (1 inch wide per slice)
  • 1 cup green beans, sliced
  • 1 teaspoon brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon fish sauce
  • 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
  • 1 1/2 cups basil leaves
  • a pinch of chili powder (optional)

Instructions

  1. Heat oil over medium high heat in a sauté pan. Add garlic, onions and hot chilies when the oil is hot. Sauté for 3 minutes or until the garlic and the onions are fragrant.
  2. Add squid. Increase to high heat and stir the squid for 5 minutes or until it’s cooked through.
  3. Now place green beans in the pan, then add brown sugar, fish sauce, oyster sauce. Stir a few times until all the ingredients are spread out well.
  4. Add basil leaves. Stir once again.
  5. Turn off the heat. Sprinkle a pinch of chili powder over the squid. Plate it and serve with rice.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4

P.S. In case you are interested, we documented our entire Thailand trip for those who would like to go explore this beautiful country here.

P.P.S. As you are reading this post, we are actually on our way to Yosemite National Park. Surprise!!! Oh yeah, it feels good to be back on the road. Follow me on Instagram. I will be sharing lots of beautiful photos with ya!

About the Author

Sharon Chen, StreetSmart Kitchen
Sharon Chen

Sharon Chen is an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, an author and a sous vide fanatic who believes food not only brings healing but also connection. As the creator of StreetSmart Kitchen, she's on a mission to help you find balance, ease, joy, and simplicity in the kitchen as you improve your well-being.