Pad Ped Sator Goong (Prawns & Stink Beans Fried in Red Curry Paste)

Well, what can I say about this dish. I ate it 24 hours ago and it is still making it’s presence very much known. This is a dish for those brave foodies that will stop at nothing in their quest for new tastes. Typically, this is a Southern Thai dish and Sator beans are usually only available in the early summer months. This is one dish where I’m not going to attempt to suggest substitutes as nothing compares to the genuine article. Let me describe a stink bean… about the same size as a large broad bean, much denser, almost the same texture and crunch as a freshly picked hazelnut. Taste upon eating is vaguely sulphurous and a little acrid. Soon after, you’re left with a feeling of pent-up heat in the body. Later on- the name lives on; you can taste it in your mouth for 24 hours; even after many drinks/ teeth cleanings. If you sweat, I imagine you would smell of it and it has much the same effects as asparagus on body functions, only multiplied and for much longer. If you’re still wanting to try this, here’s my recipe…

For 2 people:

• A pack of raw or cooked king prawns


• A pack of stink beans (sator or even called petai or parkia- available fresh from Thai supermarkets,sometimes frozen but I would give them a miss if frozen).


• A tablespoon of red curry paste (I use Mae Ploy) check ingredients and try to get a good one without unnecessary fillers and additives

• 2 cloves of garlic, sliced thinly


• 2 kaffir lime leaves, shredded (most supermarkets sell these fresh)


• a splash of fish sauce (nam pla) all supermarkets have this


• ½ a cup of water


• vegetable/sunflower oil for frying

Heat the oil in a wok, When hot, stir fry the garlic slices for just a few seconds before adding the curry paste, stir until fragrant and strong.After 30 seconds or so, put the prawns in. If using raw, cook until prawns are pink. If using cooked, stir fry for around a minute then add the stink beans. Fry for another minute before adding the fish sauce and water to make a sauce. Give everything a good mix for a minute more before adding the shredded kaffir lime leaf and serve. I served mine with white rice.

PS. Don’t have this if you are due to a) go on a date b) visit the dentist or c) have a one to one meeting with your boss within the next 48 hours!!