REVIEW: Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers Chicken Pad Thai

11 Feb, 2010

Posted by: Gregory Ng: The Frozen Food Master

I fall into this trap every time. I read the outside of these boxes and see Asian Inspired and I put into my head that it will actually be what’s written on the box. The problem is every time I read “Asian Inspired” I really only comprehend the “Asian” not the “Inspired”.

The truth is this Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers Chicken Pad Thai is not really pad thai. It barely resembles pad thai. In fact, using the term, “inspired? is even a stretch. Does it have similar flavors as pad thai? Sure, I taste a hint of peanut, a slight spice, and ingredients consistent with the traditional thai dish.

But the noodles are saucy not spongee. The veggies are soft not crisp. The chicken is mushy not firm.

If you allow yourself to journey to a place where “pad thai” is just a ethnic sounding name for a saucy dish that isn’t half bad for you, then you will enjoy this meal. If you are anything like me, you will finish this meal feeling disappointed.

Nutritional Facts:
Serving Size: 1 Meal (283g)
Calories: 270
Calories from fat: 35
Total fat: 3.5g
Saturated fat: 1g
Trans fat: 0g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g
Monounsaturated Fat: 1.5g
Cholesterol: 25mg
Sodium: 540mg
Total Carbohydrates: 40g
Dietary Fiber: 5g
Sugars: 10g
Protein: 19g

Price: $2.99 (FREE for me)

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mattud

Had this on Tuesday and felt the same way. 2 Stars may have been a bit low..maybe 2.5, but not their best by any means.
kelli

chicken pad thai, more like chicken poop thai.
awful taste.
i'd give it a 1.
Red Door

I don't even taste the peanut and my mouth is on fire from spice. Bleh! It's not even good if you forget what Pad Thai is supposed to taste like.
Fred Garvin

Healthy Choice “Pad Thai” is horrible. I can't even agree with your assessment that there are some elements that are reminiscent of Pad Thai and it tastes okay.

Spaghetti noodles with big chunks of carrot and chicken in a sweet-not-savory brown sauce thickened with corn starch is an abomination when it's called Pad Thai. With good Pad Thai, the sauce does not end up as some syrupy liquid, it is light, savory, and coats the noodles lightly.
finette

I thought it smelled and tasted more Indian than Thai, and indeed there's turmeric and curry powder in the ingredients. I know that curry is an important element in Thai food too, but not sure about turmeric. Anyway, I couldn't taste any hint of peanut myself. I won't be buying this one again.
FireMouth

I must say, even when I plucked this bowl out of the freezer at the super market I never thought it was “Pad Thai”. Although, after reading the ingredients, I decided to give it a try. Overall it wasn't that bad, if you like Red Curry. Which I do. But, why didn't they just call it, “Chicken with Scallions, Carrots, Red Curry sauce over Whole Wheat Linguine”. Why? Because no one would buy that mess. If you slap Asian Inspired on the box people say, “Oh Asians know food, this must be good.”

WRONG.