Skip to main content
Epicurious

Yum Khai Dao (Fried Egg Salad)

5.0

(4)

Thai fried egg salad on a platter.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich

Most people may associate egg salads with a mixture of hard-boiled eggs tossed with mayonnaise, but what I love about this recipe is how it dispels any reference to that version. Yum Khai Dao, a Thai salad made with fried eggs, a punchy dressing, and fresh vegetables, highlights the common household ingredient and pairs it with bold, bright flavors. Texturally, the salad is a party: Khai (egg) and Dao (star) references the burst a raw egg makes when it hits a wok or a high-sided skillet of piping hot oil. The egg whites crackle and crisp up while the yolk slightly coagulates but maintains its loose, runny center. The fried eggs get dressed in a salad with beautifully bold Thai flavors, including shallots, Chinese celery leaves, tomato, and herbs. The dish makes a great complement to larger meals but is equally as delicious enjoyed simply with a plate of steamed rice where the velvety yolk contrasts the spicy dressing.

What you’ll need

See Related Recipes and Cooking Tips

Read More
Crispy Oyster Mushroom Skewers With Bok Choy Salad
Oyster mushrooms are a strong all-rounder in the kitchen, seeming to straddle both plant and meat worlds in what they look and taste like when cooked. Here they’re coated in a marinade my mother used to use when cooking Chinese food at home—honey, soy, garlic and ginger—and roasted until golden, crisp, and juicy.
Pork Dinakdakan
Braise tender pork belly in soy and vinegar, then grill with shishito peppers and toss with ginger and a tangy dressing for bold, savory Filipino dinakdakan.
Oxtail Guisado
A slow-simmering, comforting braise delivering healing to both body and soul.
Saucy Mushroom Stir-Fry
Any variety of mushroom will love this glossy, tangy sauce.
Frijoles Peruanos (Peruvian Refried Beans)
Mayocobas, or canary beans, are the quick-cooking pantry ingredient you should know about.
Southern Thai Fried Chicken (Gai Tod Hat Yai)
This is one of the best fried chickens ever. From southern Thailand, gai hat yai is known for its crispy skin, great aromatics, and super juicy meat.
Golden Mushroom Soup With Orzo & a Pat of Butter
This is the type of soup that, at first glance, might seem a little…unexciting. But you’re underestimating the power of mushrooms, which do the heavy lifting.
Fufu
Fufu is a dish that has been passed down through many generations and is seen as a symbol of Ghanaian identity and heritage. Making fufu traditionally is a very laborious task; this recipe mimics some of that hard work but with a few home-cook hacks that make for a far easier time.