Photo by Shelby Schwartz.

Accompanied by hot chicken soup (good for the soul) and crisp cabbage-filled eggrolls, Tropical Thai’s Pad Thai Chicken packs rich flavors into every bite. Crafting the meal begins with sautéing rice noodles, peanut sauce and chicken in a pan, allowing the essences of each ingredient to intertwine and evolve into a sensational and aromatic combination. Next, eggs scramble into the mixture, making for a chewy addition that holds its own but also absorbs the zesty sauce. Fresh bean sprouts and green onions join the pan’s simmering contents, promising crunch and pops of tang in each forkful. Topping off the steaming dish, ground peanuts and scallions are sprinkled on top, accentuating the eclectic flavors cooked together. Perfect for lunch or dinner, this dish excites the taste buds with nutty, savory and somewhat sweet elements that undeniably complement each other well.

Photo by Shelby Schwartz.

Tropical Thai Restaurant, 1535 Main St., Sarasota, 941-364-5775.