My little mini-tour of the regulars at Edinburgh Markets concluded, today, with a trip to the Pad Thai stall, run by the chef from Bluerapa Thai, on Torphicen Street.

Pad Thai!

A street food staple, and one of Thailand’s foremost national dishes, pad Thai is a noodle-based dish with which you’ll all likely be familiar.

On offer today, we had chicken or king prawn varieties, cooked freshly to order, before my very eyes, in a large open pan.

Being freshly prepared

I opted for the king prawns (£5), so chef was soon at work frying the prawns, then cracking in an egg, before adding the noodles, bean sprouts and shredded veg, all the time mixing and stirring, then adding a richly dark sauce mix, before finishing with a little shredded spring onion.

Once spooned into a carton, I was invited to top it with crushed peanuts and chilli, before handing over a fiver and being on my way.

Edinburgh Market, outside the Commonwealth Pool

I didn’t go far, choosing to sit on a nearby bench and contemplate the ebb and flow of the other market stalls. They were doing pretty decent business, considering it was a rather fog-bound morning.

I briskly shovelled the noodles towards my face, enjoying simple, satisfying mouthfuls of savoury goodness. The prawns were nicely cooked, and the dish had a good array textures, making it a very enjoyable eat.

I’ve not visited Bluerapa, as yet, but have heard good things. Today’s experience made me move it a good few notches up my priority list.

So overall, I was pleased by my visit to the Pad Thai man. This street food classic is being given a good rendition, and it’s done with a good little touch of theatre, in the fresh preparation. It’s a substantial and filling feed, and given the location, at the foot of Arthur’s Seat, it’s just the thing to fuel you on a little jaunt up the hill, of a Sunday.

Edinburgh Markets
http://www.edinburghmarkets.co.uk/
Saturdays, 11am – 5pm Outside St Mary’s Metropolitan Cathedral
Sundays, 10am – 4pm Outside The Royal Commonwealth Pool