Rat na facts for kids
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| Type | Rice noodles |
|---|---|
| Course | Main course |
| Place of origin | Thailand |
| Region or state | Southeast Asia |
| Associated national cuisine | Thailand |
| Serving temperature | Hot |
| Main ingredients | Shahe fen, meat (chicken, beef, pork) or seafood or tofu, sauce (stock, tapioca starch or cornstarch), soy sauce or fish sauce |
Rat na (Thai: ราดหน้า, RTGS: ratna) is a super yummy Thai-Chinese noodle dish. It's also sometimes called rad na. The name Rat na means 'topping' in Thai, which makes sense because of the special sauce poured over it!
This dish is made with wide, flat rice noodles that are stir-fried. Then, you add your choice of meat like chicken, beef, pork, or even seafood or tofu. It also has garlic, straw mushrooms, and a green vegetable called gai lan (which is a type of Chinese broccoli).
The best part is the thick, yummy sauce! It's made from a savory stock and thickened with tapioca starch or cornstarch. The sauce is seasoned with sweet soy sauce, fish sauce, sugar, and black pepper. When you eat Rat na in Thailand, people often add a little extra sugar, fish sauce, or chili to make it taste just right for them.
There are different ways to enjoy Rat na. Sometimes, people use thin rice noodles called vermicelli instead of the wide ones. Another fun way is to use crispy, deep-fried egg noodles. The warm sauce is poured over these crispy noodles, making them soft and delicious! If gai lan is hard to find, chefs might use broccoli or kale instead.
History of Rat Na Noodles
Rat na actually started in China a long time ago. It was first served in fancy restaurants and became very popular. Later, Teochew people, who are Chinese people from the Chaoshan region, started making and selling it to everyone, including working-class people. This helped Rat na's popularity spread all the way to Thailand.
When Rat na first came to Thailand, it was a bit different. It had a little extra sauce and was often served on a banana leaf. The noodles were big and round, and people would cut them themselves as they ate!
You can find famous Rat na spots in Bangkok, Thailand's capital city. Some well-known areas include Tanao Road near the Giant Swing, Wang Burapha near Thieves' Market, the Sam Yan neighborhood, and the Yaowarat neighborhood in Chinatown. These places are known for their delicious Rat na and other noodle dishes like phat si-io.
