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A Savoury Middle Ground
What is Cashew Nut Stir Fry?
Cashew Nut Stir Fry is one of the most approachable dishes on a Thai menu - roasted cashews, dried chilli, spring onion, carrots and peppers stir-fried together in a dark soy sauce. It sits comfortably between the sweeter dishes like Pad Thai and the genuinely hot ones like Pad Kee Mao, with a savoury depth from the soy and a gentle warmth from the dried chilli rather than a sharp hit. The roasted cashews add crunch and a faint sweetness that rounds the whole dish out.
At Charm Thai Cafe in Doncaster, Rin wok-fires the dish to order so the cashews keep their crunch and the vegetables stay crisp rather than going soft. It's a dependable choice if you're after genuine Thai flavour without committing to one of the spicier dishes on the menu.
- Roasted cashew nuts for crunch and gentle sweetness
- Dried chilli for warmth, not significant heat
- Spring onion, carrot and peppers
- Dark soy sauce base
- Choice of chicken, pork, prawn, tofu or vegetables
- Naturally suited to a vegan version
The Technique
Why the Wok Matters
Cashew Nut Stir Fry lives or dies on timing. Roasted cashews can turn soft and lose their crunch if they sit in the sauce too long, and the peppers and carrots need to stay crisp rather than wilt. Cooking it to order in a properly hot wok keeps everything distinct - crunchy cashews, crisp vegetables, a glossy dark soy coating that clings without drowning anything. It's a simple-sounding dish that's easy to get slightly wrong, which is exactly why the wok technique matters as much as the ingredient list.
Choosing Your Stir Fry
Picking the Right Protein
Cashew Nut Stir Fry works well with almost any protein since the dish's character comes from the cashews and dark soy rather than the meat itself. Chicken is the most popular and classic choice. Pork adds extra richness. Prawn brings a touch of sweetness that plays well against the dried chilli.
Chicken Cashew Nut
The classic version - tender chicken stir-fried with roasted cashews, dried chilli and vegetables in dark soy.
Pork Cashew Nut
A little richer than chicken, which works well against the dried chilli and dark soy base.
Prawn Cashew Nut
Natural sweetness from the prawn balances the roasted cashews and savoury soy sauce.
Naturally Plant-Based
A Naturally Vegan-Friendly Dish
Cashew Nut Stir Fry adapts to a vegan version more naturally than most Thai stir fries - the cashews, dried chilli, carrots and peppers already form the heart of the dish, so swapping in tofu or extra vegetables doesn't change the character at all.
Tofu Cashew Nut Stir Fry (Vegan)
- Tofu in place of meat
- Same roasted cashews and dried chilli
- Full dark soy flavour retained
- Ask for this version when ordering
Mixed Vegetable Cashew Nut
- Extra seasonal vegetables in place of meat
- Same savoury, lightly spiced character
- A lighter option for vegan or vegetarian diners
- Pairs well with jasmine or coconut rice
Have a Nut Allergy?
This dish is built around cashews specifically. Let us know about any allergies when you order and Rin will advise on safer options.
📞 01302 210408Good to Know
Visiting Charm Thai Cafe
📍 Where We Are
67 Copley Road, Doncaster, DN1 2QP. Two minutes from the Wool Market and close to Frenchgate Shopping Centre. Street parking available nearby.
🕐 Opening Hours
Monday 12pm-9pm
Tuesday Closed
Wednesday-Saturday 12pm-9pm
Sunday Closed
🛵 Delivery Available
We deliver across Doncaster for just £2 - up to 8 miles. Call to order and pay by card over the phone. Collection from 67 Copley Road.
While You're Here
Other Dishes Worth Trying
Pad Kee Mao
If you enjoyed the gentle warmth here and want more heat, Pad Kee Mao is the spiciest noodle dish on the menu.
Laad Naah
Another mild, savoury option - Laad Naah takes wide noodles under a thick, savoury gravy.
Handmade Starters
Spring rolls, dumplings and fish cakes all handmade by Rin in our kitchen. A good way to start.
Common Questions
Cashew Nut Stir Fry Questions
Find Us
Visit Charm Thai Cafe
Charm Thai Cafe
67 Copley Road, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, DN1 2QP
Cashew Nut Stir Fry Doncaster - Charm Thai Cafe, 67 Copley Road DN1 2QP. Open Mon, Wed-Sat 12-9pm.