[5][6] Kuai tiao (ก๋วยเตี๋ยว) is a Thai borrowing of the Teochew word guê2 diao5 (粿條), a type of thick Chinese rice noodle also known as shahe fen.

The word kuai tiao has cognates in several other Southeast Asian countries where Chinese immigrants settled; with kuyteav in Cambodia, hủ tiếu in Vietnam, and kway teow in Malaysia and Singapore being analogues.

[14] Noodle cookery in most Southeast Asian countries was introduced by the wave of immigrants from southern China settling in the region the past century.

[18] Pad Thai is made with rice noodles, which are stir fried with eggs and chopped firm tofu, flavored with tamarind juice, fish sauce, dried shrimp, garlic, shallots, and sometimes red chili pepper and palm sugar, and served with lime wedges and often crushed roasted peanuts.

[19][20] Many of the ingredients are provided on the side as condiments, such as red chili pepper, lime wedges, roasted peanuts, bean sprouts, garlic chives, and other miscellaneous fresh vegetables.