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Crispy Egg Salad

Crispy Egg Salad (Yum Kai Dao)

This Crispy Egg Salad, known in Thailand as Yum Kai Dao, is a vibrant and refreshing dish that features eggs fried to golden perfection with bubbly, lacy edges. It is a quick, gluten-free meal that delivers a perfect balance of tart, spicy, and savory flavors in under 30 minutes.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Course: Main Course, Salad
Cuisine: Thai
Calories: 280

Ingredients
  

  • 1-2 Thai chilies red chilies are preferred for color
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons palm sugar or light brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon high-quality fish sauce
  • Neutral oil for frying (such as canola or vegetable oil)
  • 4 large eggs at room temperature
  • 1/4 small red or yellow onion julienned
  • 2 stalks celery including a handful of leaves
  • 1/2 cup tomatoes cut into wedges
  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro chopped
  • 1/4 cup roasted peanuts roughly chopped or lightly crushed

Equipment

  • Mortar and Pestle
  • Wok or Non-stick Pan
  • Paper Towels

Method
 

  1. Place the Thai chilies in a mortar and pestle and pound them until they are fine. Add the palm sugar and continue to pound until the sugar has dissolved into a thick paste. Stir in the lime juice and fish sauce until well combined.
    1-2 Thai chilies, 1 1/2 tablespoons palm sugar, 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice, 2 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon high-quality fish sauce
  2. In a wok or a small non-stick frying pan, add about a quarter inch of neutral oil. Heat over medium-high heat until the oil is very hot. You can test the temperature by dropping in a small piece of onion; if it bubbles vigorously, the oil is ready.
    Neutral oil
  3. Carefully crack one egg into the hot oil. The whites should bubble and spread immediately. Use a spoon to baste the top of the egg with hot oil. Fry for about 2 minutes until the edges are browned and crispy, and the yolk is set but not completely hard.
    4 large eggs
  4. Remove the fried egg from the pan and let it rest on a plate lined with paper towels to remove excess oil. Repeat this process for the remaining eggs.
  5. In a large mixing bowl, combine the julienned onions, celery, tomatoes, and cilantro.
    1/4 small red or yellow onion, 2 stalks celery, 1/2 cup tomatoes, 1/2 cup fresh cilantro
  6. Cut each fried egg into six wedges, ensuring each piece has a bit of the yolk. Add the egg pieces to the bowl with the vegetables.
  7. Pour the prepared dressing over the ingredients. Toss gently to ensure everything is coated without breaking the eggs apart too much. Transfer to a plate, top with roasted peanuts, and serve immediately.
    1/4 cup roasted peanuts

Notes

Use older eggs at room temperature to ensure the whites spread easily and create signature lacy, crispy edges. Do not fear the amount of oil used; the eggs need to float to achieve the correct texture without becoming greasy.
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