Thai Basil Stir Fry – He’s Been Making It Here for 47 Years in Bangkok!

Thai basil stir fry (ผัดกะเพรา pad kaprao) is one of the pillars of Thai street food comfort in Bangkok.
It’s one of those dishes that’s simple to make, complex in flavor, it never gets old, and it’s without fail, always satisfying – especially over rice with a greasy fried egg on top.
In this post, I’m going to tell you about a little corner restaurant in Bangkok where you can get a delicious plate of it.

Uncle has been making Thai basil stir fry (ผัดกะเพรา pad kaprao) for over 47 years
Ung Jia Huad (ร้านอึ้งเจี่ยฮวด)
On a corner side street, just barely a stones throw from the bustling Asoke intersection, is an Uncle who has been making Thai basil stir fry (ผัดกะเพรา pad kaprao) for over 47 years.
Now that’s experience.
It’s in a spot where you can easily walk past, just down the road from the infamous Soi Cowboy, and surrounding by luxurious international restaurants.
He makes a variety of different quick stir fry dishes, but among his specialties is Thai basil stir fry with your choice of either pork or chicken, and either minced meat or sliced meat.
Uncle cooks with such expertise, he’s the type of experienced cook that could make Thai food with his eyes closed.
You know from the beginning it’s going to be tasty, just from watching him work the wok and handle the ingredients.

Minced pork basil stir fry (กะเพราหมูสับ)
Minced pork basil stir fry (กะเพราหมูสับ)
It’s important to note, to make Thai basil stir fry, it must make use of holy basil (or tulsi), which is much different from Thai sweet basil (which is commonly referred to just as Thai basil). Thai holy basil has a beautiful peppery taste and is very aromatic.
I began this meal with a plate of minced pork Thai holy basil stir fry, all over rice, with a fried egg on top.
Here’s the full name in Thai:
kaprao moo saab kai dao rad khao (กะเพราหมูสับไข่ดาว ราดข้าว)

Thai basil stir fry
The rice, the basil stir fry minced pork, and the runny fried egg, all combine to create what is easily one of the greatest Thai street food dishes of all.
One of the touches that Uncle does when he stir fries the meat is he first adds some oil to the wok (possibly lard), fries the meat for a few seconds, then drains the oil. This gives your minced meat crunchy edges.
It’s impossible to say any pad kaprao (ผัดกะเพรา) is the best in Bangkok, but Uncle’s version is just perfect for what it is – it’s what you want it to be in the moment you’re eating it.

Fried pork garlic (ข้าวหมูทอดกระเทียม) – Also a must order!
Fried pork garlic (ข้าวหมูทอดกระเทียม)
Another dish I ordered was fried pork garlic (ข้าวหมูทอดกระเทียม khao moo tod gratiam), another classic Thai single dish, one plate meal deal.
Again, just like the Thai basil stir fry, this was simple and satisfying with every single bite.
The pork was again fried in a bath of oil, drained, and then stir fried with the seasonings like dark soy sauce, garlic, and black pepper.

So tasty!
Perfectly salty, on the oily side, but so tasty, and with a nice touch of black pepper.
Again, the egg is not mandatory… ok actually I take that back… the fried egg is mandatory.
There’s nothing better than yolk to coat.

Inside seating at Ung Jia Huad (ร้านอึ้งเจี่ยฮวด)
For me, dining atmosphere in Bangkok can hardly get better.
It’s nothing fancy, just a corner building, a few tables and stools, both inside and outside, with a concrete finish.
The menu is written in Thai – he does offer a few other single plate dishes like Thai fried rice and radna.

Restaurant is called Ung Jia Huad (ร้านอึ้งเจี่ยฮวด)
Ung Jia Huad (ร้านอึ้งเจี่ยฮวด)
Address: Sukhumvit 23 (Google map)
Open hours: 9 am – 3 pm on Monday – Saturday
Prices: Each plate is about 50 THB, a little higher than normal, but it’s a very high end area, and it’s totally worth it.
ถนน สุขุมวิท 23 กรุงเทพ
โทร 02-2584236
เปิด จันทร์-เสาร์ 9.00-15.00 น.
Mumabee
5 years ago
I have been to Thailand 4 times and I thought I had everything. But this blog made me realize what I have been missing in those trips. This time whenever I go there, I’ll be having all these dishes.
Paul
5 years ago
Went to try this place at around 2:30pm today and the shutters were down. Shame if it’s closed down
David
4 years ago
I went today for first time….23 December 2019. It’s open…..looks to me that it never was closed.
Joel Bruner
4 years ago
Hey David, thanks for the update!
Matt
5 years ago
Mark, Google Maps says this location is permanently closed. Is it true???
ferry pribadi
5 years ago
Mark, I am trying to go here, but I looked at the google map and it said closed permanently? is this true? do you know what happened?
Rina Fong
5 years ago
Well I learned something new today! I didn’t know Holy Basil is different from Thai Basil. Good to know. I just ordered some Holy Basil seeds because of this. I’m very excited to grow them.
Gary Z
5 years ago
Hi Mark!
I want you to know that your videos are so entertaining and informative. I see a lot of YouTube segments that are drab and so poorly produced, but not yours.
You engage with the camera very naturally. And every single time you take a bite, your head begins to nod “yes” to the affirm the deliciousness of the food! lol I love that!
This recipe for Thai Basil Stir Fry gave me some new ideas, as do all your recipes! Thank you!
TROY HIBSHMAN
5 years ago
Hi Mark; We love watching your videos and it is especially nice seeing you do this with your family involved. I wanted to mention to you Micah looks to be about our children age, we have a 2 and 4-year-old. My wife wrote a book on teaching toddlers to read and wondered if you would like a copy to help in his learning. We would be happy to send you a copy free of charge if you would mention it in your video. You can see the book at our youtube channel MOSSESUNLIMITED. Please feel free to contact us if possible. I understand totally that you are very busy. Thank you
Miraj Shrestha
5 years ago
Hi Mark, just visited the place today. Uncle really knows his food well. Minced pork basil stir fry was really delicious. But I was not happy with serving of the meat as it was very less so I ended up ordering another plate. :) thank you for sharing.
Alane Walker
5 years ago
nice post!
Luke
5 years ago
Was able to go here a couple of months ago and I can testify that their food is great! As what I’ve remember my friends even had 3 orders of fried pork galic because it was really tasty. Will definitely go back here this weekend.
contenidos
5 years ago
Thank you, Cassi! It’s called EMMA. 🙂
JM Hau
5 years ago
Hi Mark will be there in October and will go there and will also visit Ratchada Rot Fai night market for the delicious Thai food.😋😁
Emerson
5 years ago
Mouth watering food I want to try that someday
Tom
5 years ago
Superb. I’ll be back in Bangkok in October and this is a great looking place to visit for my favourite quick meal.
sukkyong shin
5 years ago
Hey, Mark.
This is SukSuk from Jeonju Korea. I would like to visit for the first time to Bankok for weeks, and would love to interivew you if possible. I am a podcast host in Korea for 2 years now, and love to listen to your stories in Thailand. Contact me at [email protected]
Mary
5 years ago
In my next visit I will definitely visit this place, very near to the place where I used to stay. This site has been very helpful for me.