You can also integrate Thai basil right into your stir-fries or noodle dishes. Tom Khaengkarn, head chef of Soothr in the East Village, describes how a handful of Thai basil leaves is often added to the pan right before turning off the stove in order to give the leaves a quick cook. One dish where this magic happens? Soothr’s chicken ki-mao noodles, which is what I would choose if I could only eat one dish for the rest of my life.
While we’re not going to call it pesto, you can also blend Thai basil into a sauce. In their Thai Basil Sauce Noodles with Jammy Eggs, YuChen purées the leaves with raw garlic and vegetable oil until a smooth paste forms, then cooks it with michiu tou (Taiwanese rice wine), sugar, and salt. The result is a Thai basil sauce that Yuchen describes as savory, aromatic, and licorice-scented. All this basil-y goodness is tossed with wide noodles, garlic chives, and bean sprouts, then topped with jammy eggs and chili crisp.
If you’re still craving more Thai basil, perhaps in a boozier form, you can take a nod from Fish Cheeks and incorporate the herb into your co*cktails, either in a syrup used to flavor a clear liquor like rum or gin or as a garnish (or both).
Is it ever acceptable to substitute sweet basil?
If you can’t find Thai basil, you can substitute sweet basil, but it will lack its distinctive grassy and spicy flavor. If you are to substitute, supplement the sweet basil with mint to make up for this loss of flavor. Khaengkarn of Soothr says that if you absolutely must use sweet basil, you might need to cut the amount of sugar (if a recipe calls for it) or up the salt or spice level to balance the sweetness. But our experts agree: If at all possible, seek out fresh Thai basil when a recipe calls for it.
But then there’s holy basil…
Both Khaengkarn and Everett express that their highest basil preference is holy basil, but because it’s harder to find in the U.S., many chefs use Thai basil for a similar, if not exact, flavor and aroma. Holy basil is native to the Indian subcontinent and grows throughout Southeast Asia. It boasts strong notes of pepper and clove and gives off an herbal, aromatic smell. Holy basil is used widely in Ayurvedic and folk medicine, often in the form of herbal tea, and is considered sacred in Hinduism.
Where can I buy Thai basil?
You’ll find Thai basil in a well-stocked supermarket or Asian market. Due to its vibrant nature, it’s worth seeking out fresh, rather than dried. Chef Everett at Fish Cheeks mentions that for the best selection, you should try to shop at a market in areas with a strong Thai community, such as Pata Market in New York’s Elmhurst. As a last resort YuChen suggests asking your favorite local Asian restaurant if you can have some of their stash, but remember to tip generously! And if you must, we guess you can substitute sweet basil—but this time only.
Noodle time
These noodles hit every note we look for in a satisfying dinner: Herbaceous, saucy noodles, fresh crunchy toppings, and a jammy egg on top. It's really worth seeking out grassy, spicy Thai basil for the the three-ingredient basil sauce.
