Name: Yum Khai Dao (Fried Egg Salad)
Cook time: 15 minutes
Total time: 15 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: ¼ cup fresh lime juice; 2 Tbsp. fish sauce; 2 Tbsp. chopped cilantro; 2 Tbsp. finely grated garlic (8–12 cloves); 1 Tbsp. plus 1½ tsp. sugar; 1 tsp. finely chopped red Thai chile (1–2 chiles); Kosher salt (optional); Vegetable oil (for frying; 2–3 cups); 6 large eggs; Kosher salt, freshly ground white pepper; 2 large Chinese celery stalks or 1 large celery stalk, tender leaves reserved, stalks thinly sliced; 2 medium shallots, thinly sliced; 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes; ⅓ cup (lightly packed) cilantro leaves with tender stems

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.

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What you’ll need

Fish Sauce
$19 At Amazon
Slotted Spoon
$15 At Amazon
Silicone Spatula
$20 $17 At Amazon

Recipe information

Total Time
15 minutes
Yield
4 servings

Ingredients

Dressing

¼ cup fresh lime juice

2 Tbsp. fish sauce

2 Tbsp. chopped cilantro

2 Tbsp. finely grated garlic (8–12 cloves)

1 Tbsp. plus 1½ tsp. sugar

1 tsp. finely chopped red Thai chile (1–2 chiles)

Kosher salt (optional)

Salad and assembly

Vegetable oil (for frying; 2–3 cups)

6 large eggs

Kosher salt, freshly ground white pepper

2 large Chinese celery stalks or 1 large celery stalk, tender leaves reserved, stalks thinly sliced

2 medium shallots, thinly sliced

1 cup halved cherry tomatoes

⅓ cup (lightly packed) cilantro leaves with tender stems

Preparation

Dressing
Step 1
Whisk ¼ cup fresh lime juice, 2 Tbsp. fish sauce, 2 Tbsp. chopped cilantro, 2 Tbsp. finely grated garlic (8–12 cloves), 1 Tbsp. plus 1½ tsp. sugar, and 1 tsp. finely chopped red Thai chile (1–2 chiles) in a small bowl until sugar is dissolved. Taste dressing and season with salt if needed. Cover and chill until ready to use (you should have about ½ cup).
Do Ahead: Dressing can be made 1 day ahead. Keep chilled.
Salad and assembly
Step 2
Pour vegetable oil into a large high-sided skillet to come about ¼" up sides (2–3 cups, depending on the size of your pan) and heat over high until hot. Crack 2 or 3 of 6 large eggs into pan one at a time, taking care to not let them touch, and fry, using a spatula to dislodge any egg that is sticking to the bottom, until whites are crisped and cooked through but yolks are still runny, 1–2 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer eggs to a large plate or baking sheet. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground white pepper. Repeat with remaining eggs. Once all eggs have been fried; set aside.
Step 3
Gently toss 2 large Chinese celery stalks or 1 large celery stalk, tender leaves reserved, stalks thinly sliced, 2 medium shallots, thinly sliced, and 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes in a medium bowl to combine. Tear celery leaves if large (don’t use more than ⅓ cup) and add to bowl along with about half of reserved dressing. Toss until evenly coated. Taste salad and season with more salt if needed.
Step 4
Spread half of remaining dressing over a platter in a thin layer. Arrange reserved fried eggs on top and spoon salad over. Drizzle remaining dressing on top, then scatter ¹⁄₃ cup (lightly packed) cilantro leaves with tender stems over and season with more white pepper.