Thai bird's eye chilies

พริกขี้หนู / phrik khi nu

Flavor and role

Tiny chilies 2-3 cm long, very hot with a sharp aroma.

Typical dishes and uses

Pad kaprao, som tam, nam pla prik (chili fish sauce), sambal.

Substitutes

1 Korean cheongyang chili (or serrano) = about 2 Thai chilies. Adjust the amount to the heat you want.

Storage

Refrigerate 1-2 weeks, freeze 6 months. Dried, they keep 1 year.

Main countries

Thailand · Vietnam · Indonesia

Used in this book

Pad Kra Pao with Fried EggBánh Mì Thịt Nướng (Grilled Pork Bánh Mì)Bánh Xèo (Vietnamese Crispy Sizzling Crêpes)Bún Chả (Hanoi Grilled Pork with Rice Noodles)Cơm Tấm Sườn Nướng (Broken Rice with Grilled Pork Chop)Gado-GadoMoqueca baianaPeri-Peri ChickenSom Tam (Green Papaya Salad)Tom Kha GaiTom Yum Goong (Hot and Sour Shrimp Soup)Crackling Roast Pork Bánh Mì (Bánh Mì Heo Quay)Crispy Mekong-Style Bánh Xèo with Mung Beans and Coconut CreamCrispy Bánh Xèo Shrimp Salad BowlCharcoal Bún Chả with Homemade Caramel and Crispy ShallotsCrispy Vermicelli Cake with Bún Chả MeatballsCrispy-Skin Chicken Adobo with Garlic ChipsCharcoal Cơm Tấm Sườn Chả with Steamed Egg MeatloafThai Red Curry Coconut Dal with Lemongrass TadkaTom Yum Egg Drop Soup (Thai x Chinese)Gado-Gado with Pressed Rice Cakes and Shrimp-Paste Peanut SauceThai Lemongrass GambasCoconut-Poached Pork and Tiger Prawn Summer RollsCrispy Rice Paper Shrimp DumplingsGreen Curry with Hand-Pounded PasteSlow-poached Hainanese chicken riceFish and prawn moqueca with pirãoHand-Chopped Pork Kra Pao with Crispy Fried BasilKra Pao Garlic-Butter SpaghettiKra Pao Cheese ToastieTom Yum Seafood PaellaFlame-Grilled Braai Peri-Peri ChickenPeri-Peri Chicken TacosPeri-Peri Popcorn ChickenPhở Đặc Biệt with 4-Hour Oxtail BrothPhở-Spiced Beef Fried RiceTom Yum Shoyu Ramen with PrawnsTom Kha Coconut SamgyetangCharcoal Sate Madura with Fried-Peanut SauceTom Yum Shabu-ShabuClear-Broth Pork Rib Sinigang with Fresh Tamarind ExtractSinigang Tamarind WingsTam Thai with Grilled PrawnsSom Tam Chicken TacosSom Tam Summer RollsSoto Ayam Lamongan with KoyaTom Yum Sundubu JjigaeThit Kho To (Clay-Pot Caramel Pork Belly with Pickled Bean Sprouts)Thit Kho Ramen (Caramel Pork Belly and Jammy Eggs)Tom Kha Gai with Quick Bone Stock and Charred AromaticsTom Kha Creamy Chicken Rice BowlCreamy Tom Yum Goong Nam Khon with Shrimp-Head StockTom Yum Shrimp Cream Spaghetti

Updated 2026-10-10