Cook the rice noodles according to package instructions.
Have your spring onions, garlic cloves, red chili, bean sprouts, tofu, cilantro leaves, chopped peanuts and lime wedges prepped and ready to use.
Heat the oil in a large wok or saucepan over high heat. Working quickly, add the chopped spring onions, garlic cloves and chili. Cook, stirring often, until the ingredients have softened and released their aroma, 2 minutes approximately.
Now add the bean sprouts and saute them (at the beginning it seems like a lot but after 2-3 minutes they will reduce), keep the heat high and move the ingredients around the pan.
Then, add the tamarind paste, the sugar and soy sauce. Mix and allow to cook for 1 minute.
Dissolve the cornstarch in the water and add to the pan along with the salt and tofu. Once the sauce has boiled and thickened, add the noodles and fold into the sauce until they are evenly coated. Take the pan out of the stove.
Now add the bean sprouts and saute them (at the beginning it seems like a lot but after 2-3 minutes they will reduce), keep the heat high and move the ingredients around the pan.
Serve pad thai immediately with cilantro leaves, chopped peanuts and lime wedges.