Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Introduction
Nutrition of common Thai ingredients
Other benefits of Thai food
History and Origins
Regional Differences
Thai Food Map
How are Thai Dishes Classified?
What is Thai Food Etiquette?
Thai-Chinese Cuisine
Thai-Muslim Cuisine
Glossary of Thai Food
What is a traditional Thai breakfast?
Best Places to eat Thai food
Best Thai Food for Kids
Recipes of Thai Food
Conclusion
Introduction
Thai food is commonly enjoyed in the United States, but you may wonder
whether this cuisine is healthy.
The traditional diet of Thailand features colorful vegetables, seafood, and
meats that are served with rice or noodles and seasoned with herbs and spices
like turmeric, galangal, Thai basil, and lemongrass.
Food served at Western Thai restaurants shares many aspects of authentic
Thai cuisine, although it has some notable differences. Thai menus in
America may have larger portions, more fried foods, and recipes that are
higher in salt and sugar.
Nutrition of common Thai ingredients
Thai food is known for its emphasis on herbs and spices, many of which have
been studied for their benefits.
Other common ingredients in Thai dishes, such as tofu, seafood, and bean
sprouts, also boast impressive nutritional profiles.
Here are some of the most widely used Thai ingredients and information
about their nutrition and possible health benefits.
Several of the most common Thai ingredients are nutritious on their own, but
there are other healthy aspects of Thai food in general.
For one, Thai meals often feature a good balance of macronutrients —
protein, fats, and carbs.
Curries, stir-fries, and soups are made with a variety of vegetables, include a
protein source like tofu, lean meat, or seafood, and contain coconut milk,
peanut sauces, or other fat.
The most commonly used veggies in Thai meals are non-starchy, such as
peppers, tomato, cabbage, broccoli, carrots, and onions. These veggies are
loaded with fiber, vitamins, minerals, and a variety of compounds that
contribute to good digestion and overall health.
Eating meals that largely comprise non-starchy veggies and also contain
protein and fat can help you maintain stable blood sugar levels throughout the
day. This, in turn, leads to sustained energy and may aid weight loss
Since the explosion in tourism to Thailand in the 1980’s Thai food has
established a foothold as one of the world’s leading schools of the culinary
arts. It is one of the 5 most popular food types globally, the others being
Indian, Chinese, French, and Italian. When you visit Thailand, although it is
possible to enjoy western food, why bother? You are in the home of one of
the world’s great cooking schools, so sit back and enjoy.
History and Origins
thai dish spicyThai food originated with the people who emigrated from the
southern Chinese provinces into modern day Thailand many centuries ago.
Historically there were many Szechwan influences in Thai cuisine, although
over the centuries many other influences have affected Thai food. In a more
distant past, Buddhist monk brought an Indian touch, and southern Muslim
states influenced the cooking in the south of Thailand. Much later, Thai food
was influenced by European cuisine after contact with Portuguese
missionaries and Dutch traders. During these times there were even some
influences from the Japanese. Today Thai food is its own, with a special
unique blend of the 5 tastes: sweet, sour, bitter, salty, and spicy.
Regional Differences
Thailand is a big country with a diverse geography, and over the years this
has led to the development of regional differences in its style of cuisines.
Currently there are 4 distinct styles of cooking in Thailand.
Northern
The cooking in northern Thailand is generally milder than in the rest of the
country, sticky rice is preferred, traditionally it is kneaded into small balls
with the fingers. There is a strong influence from neighbouring Burma with
popular dishes like Kaeng Hang Le, a pork curry flavored with ginger,
turmeric, and tamarind.
North-eastern
The food in the north east is influenced by Laos; as a general rule the food is
highly spiced, and sticky glutinous rice is the preferred staple for north-
eastern dishes. Although there are plenty of meat dishes, historically meat
was scarce in the villages, and the main source of protein were shrimp and
freshwater fish. These were often fermented to increase their shelf life.
Central
The central region offers cuisine that is midway between the north and south,
although fragrant Jasmine rice is preferred to the sticky variety. What makes
the central region cuisine special is that it is home to royal cuisine. This type
of cooking which originated in the royal palace involves much more
elaborate meals, put together with complex techniques. It is more of an art
form than just regular cooking.
Southern
Southern Thai cooking is the most popular outside of Thailand since that is
the main tourist region of the country. In southern cuisine there is much more
use of coconut milk in many dishes. Coconut replaces Ghee for frying and
there is a heavy use of seafood in the dishes. Appetizers in the south use a lot
of cashews from local plantations, and coconut flesh as a standard condiment.
Thai Food Map
Thai Curries
Thai curries are identified by their color. There are four main colors: green,
red, yellow, and orange. Counter-intuitively, the hottest of them is the green
curry followed by the red, the yellow which is the Thai version of an Indian
curry, and the mildest is the simple orange curry. In addition to the basic
color curries, there are two other curries that ae immensely popular: Panang
and Massaman. They originate in the south of Thailand, with Malay and even
Persian influences. They have a much thicker sauce than traditional Thai
curries.
Thai food is generally classified into 4 types; rice dishes which vary from
region to region, with the north and north-eastern regions preferring the
sticky variety of rice and central Thailand preferring the more fragrant
variety. Then comes side dishes, this is quite a big grouping since it includes
curries, soups, stir fry’s, salads, dips, and accompanying dishes known as
“naem”. Desserts are the third category in Thai foods, they are usually made
of rice flour, sugar, and coconut. Although sweet potato, taro, and water
chestnut are added to some desserts. Finally comes plate meals, these will
have a mix of a meat, vegetables and fried noodles or Thai fried rice.
What is Thai Food Etiquette?
Thailand, like many countries, has its own cultural nuances when it comes to
food. If you have dinner with a Thai family, there are few things to do that
will show your appreciation of Thai culture. Firstly, you should start your
meal with a spoonful of plain rice on its own, this emphasizes the importance
of rice in Thai culture. Secondly you should only take a few spoonful’s at a
time from the serving dishes and make sure to leave some food in the dishes
and on your plate. This emphasizes the generosity of your host. Unless you
are offered them, do not ask for chop sticks use a spoon and fork for white
rice. In the north use your right hand for sticky white rice!
Like most of Thai culture, eating conventions appear relaxed and informal
but are orchestrated by many implied rules.
Whether at home or in a restaurant, Thai meals are always served ‘family
style’ – that is, from common serving platters, with the plates appearing in
whatever order the kitchen can prepare them. When serving yourself from a
common platter, put no more than one spoonful onto your plate at a time.
Heaping your plate with all ‘your’ portions at once will look greedy to Thais
unfamiliar with Western conventions. Another important factor in a Thai
meal is achieving a balance of flavours and textures. Traditionally the party
orders a curry, a steamed or fried fish, a stir-fried vegetable dish and a soup,
taking great care to balance cool and hot, sour and sweet, salty and plain.
Originally Thai food was eaten with the fingers, and it still is in certain
regions of the kingdom. In the early 20th century Thais began setting their
tables with fork and spoon to affect a ‘royal’ setting, and it wasn’t long
before fork-and-spoon dining became the norm in Bangkok and later spread
throughout the kingdom. To use these tools the Thai way, use a serving
spoon, or alternatively your own, to take a single mouthful of food from a
central dish and ladle it over a portion of your rice. The fork is then used to
push the now-food-soaked portion of rice back onto the spoon before entering
the mouth.
If you’re not offered chopsticks, don’t ask for them. Chopsticks are reserved
for eating Chinese-style food from bowls, or for eating in all-Chinese
restaurants. In either case you will be supplied with chopsticks without
having to ask. Unlike their counterparts in many Western countries,
restaurateurs in Thailand won’t assume you don’t know how to use them.
Regional Variations
Despite having evolved in a relatively small area, Thai cuisine is anything but
a single entity and takes a slightly different form every time it crosses a
provincial border.
Gaang đai þlah An intensely spicy and salty curry that includes đai
þlah (salted fish kidney); much tastier than it sounds.
Gaang sôm Known as gaang lĕu·ang (yellow curry) in central
Thailand, this sour/spicy soup gets its hue from the liberal use of
turmeric, a root commonly used in southern Thai cooking.
Gài tôrt hàht yài The famous deep-fried chicken from the town of
Hat Yai gets its rich flavour from a marinade containing dried
spices.
Kà·nŏm jeen nám yah This dish of thin rice noodles served with a
fiery curry-like sauce is always accompanied by a tray of fresh
vegetables and herbs.
Kôo·a glîng Minced meat fried with a fiery curry paste is a southern
staple.
Pàt sà·đor This popular stir-fry of ‘stink beans’ with shrimp, garlic,
chillies and shrimp paste is both pungent and spicy.
Máh hór With origins in the palace, this is a Thai appetiser that
combines chunks of mandarin orange or pineapple and a
sweet/savoury/peppery topping that includes pork, chicken, peanuts,
sugar, peppercorns and coriander root. It's available as part of the set
meal at nahm.
þlah hâang Dried fish combined with sugar and crispy deep-fried
shallots, served on top of slices of watermelon.
Kà·nŏm bêuang The old-school version of these taco-like snacks
comes in two varieties: sweet and savoury.
Mèe gròrp Crispy noodles made the traditional way, with a sweet
and sour dressing (a former palace recipe), are a dying breed. Chote
Chitr in Banglamphu serves an excellent version of the dish.
Thai-Chinese Cuisine
Immigrants from southern China have been influencing Thai cuisine for
centuries, and it was most likely Chinese labourers and vendors who
introduced the wok and several varieties of noodle dishes to Thailand. They
also influenced Bangkok's cuisine in other ways: beef is not widely eaten in
Bangkok due to a Chinese-Buddhist teaching that forbids eating ‘large’
animals.
Thai-Chinese dishes you’re likely to run across in Bangkok's Chinatown (and
elsewhere) include the following:
Kôw kăh mŏo Braised pork leg served over rice, often with a side of
greens and a hard-boiled egg, is the epitome of the Thai-Chinese
one-dish meal. It's available at the Soi 10 Food Centres and other
street markets.
Kôw man gài Chicken rice, originally from the Chinese island of
Hainan, is now found in just about every corner of Bangkok. We
particularly like the version served at Boon Tong Kiat Singapore
Chicken Rice.
Bà·mèe Chinese-style wheat-and-egg noodles typically served with
slices of barbecued pork, a handful of greens and/or wontons.
Mangkorn Khăo, a street stall in Chinatown, does one of Bangkok’s
better bowls.
Săh·lah þow Chinese-style steamed buns, served with sweet or
savoury fillings, are a favourite snack in Bangkok.
Gŏo·ay đĕe·o kôoa gài Wide rice noodles fried with little more than
egg, chicken, salted squid and garlic oil is a popular Thai-Chinese
dish.
Or sòo·an Another Bangkok Chinatown staple, this dish combines a
sticky, eggy batter topped with oysters. Nai Mong Hoi Thod does
what is arguably Bangkok’s best take on this dish.
Gŏoay jáp This dish consists of an intensely peppery broth and pork
offal.
Thai-Muslim Cuisine
When Muslims first visited Thailand during the late 14th century, they
brought with them a meat- and dried-spice-based cuisine from their
homelands in India and the Middle East. Nearly 700 years later, the impact of
this culinary commerce can still be felt in Bangkok.
While some Muslim dishes such as roh·đee, a fried bread similar to the
Indian paratha, have changed little, if at all, others such as gaang mát·sà·màn
are a unique blend of Thai and Indian–Middle Eastern cooking styles and
ingredients.
Common Thai-Muslim dishes include the following:
Kôw mòk Biryani, a dish found across the Muslim world, also has a
foothold in Bangkok. Here the dish is typically made with chicken
and is served with a sweet-and-sour dipping sauce and a bowl of
chicken broth.
Sà·đé (satay) These grilled skewers of meat probably came to
Thailand via Malaysia. The savoury peanut-based dipping sauce is
often mistakenly associated with Thai cooking.
Má·đà·bà Known as murtabak in Malaysia and Indonesia, these are
roh·đee that have been stuffed with a savoury or sometimes sweet
filling and fried until crispy. It's available at Karim Roti-Mataba in
Bangkok.
Súp hăhng woo·a Oxtail soup, possibly another Malay contribution,
is even richer and often more sour than the ‘Buddhist’ Thai đôm
yam. Try the dish at Muslim Restaurant in Bangkok.
Sà·làt kàak Literally ‘Muslim salad’ (kàak is a somewhat derogatory
word used to describe people or things of Indian and/or Muslim
origin), this dish combines iceberg lettuce, chunks of firm tofu,
cucumber, hard-boiled egg and tomato, all topped with a sweet
peanut sauce.
Gaang mát·sà·màn ‘Muslim curry’ is a rich coconut-milk-based
dish, which, unlike most Thai curries, gets much of its flavour from
dried spices. As with many Thai-Muslim dishes, there is an
emphasis on the sweet. A non-halal version is often served at
upmarket restaurants such as nahm in Bangkok.
Roh·đee This crispy fried pancake, drizzled with condensed milk
and sugar, is the perfect street dessert.
Salads
Standing right alongside curries in terms of Thai-ness is the ubiquitous yam,
a hot and tangy ‘salad’ typically based around seafood, meat or vegetables.
Lime juice provides the tang, while the abundant use of chilli generates the
heat. Most yam are served at room temperature, or just slightly warmed by
any cooked ingredients. The dish functions equally well as part of a meal or
on its own as gàp glâam, snack food to accompany a night of boozing.
Fruits
Being a tropical country, Thailand excels in the fruit department.
Má·môo·ang (mangoes) alone come in a dozen varieties that are eaten at
different stages of ripeness. Other common fruit include sàp·þà·rót
(pineapple), má·lá·gor (papaya) and đaang moh (watermelon), all of which
are sold from ubiquitous vendor carts and accompanied by a dipping mix of
salt, sugar and ground chilli. A highlight of visiting Thailand is sampling the
huge variety of indigenous fruits of which you've probably never heard.
Many are available year-round nowadays, but April and May is peak season
for several of the most beloved varieties, including durian, mangoes and
mangosteen.
Here is a list of other lesser-known tropical fruits:
Custard apple Known in Thai as nóy nàh, the knobbly green skin of
this fruit conceals hard black seeds and sweet, gloopy flesh with a
granular texture.
Durian Known in Thai as tú·ree·an, the king of fruit is also
Thailand's most infamous, due to its intense flavour and odour,
which can suggest everything from custard to onions.
Guava A native of South America, fa·ràng – the same as the word
for Westerner – is a green, apple-like ball containing pink or white
flesh that's sweet and crispy.
Jackfruit The gigantic green pod of kà·nŭn – it's considered the
world's largest fruit – conceals dozens of waxy yellow sections that
taste like a blend of pineapple and bananas (it reminds us of Juicy
Fruit chewing gum).
Langsat Strip away the yellowish peel of this fruit, known in Thai as
long·gong, to find a segmented, perfumed pearlescent flesh with a
lychee-like flavour.
Longan Lam yai takes the form of a tiny hard ball; it's like a mini
lychee with sweet, perfumed flesh. Peel it, eat the flesh and spit out
the hard seed.
Lychee The pink skin of lín·jèe conceals an addictive translucent
flesh similar in flavour to a grape. It's generally only available
between April and June.
Mangosteen The hard purple shell of mang·kút, the queen of Thai
fruit, conceals delightfully fragrant white segments, some
containing a hard seed.
Pomelo Like a grapefruit on steroids, sôm oh takes the form of a
thick pithy green skin hiding sweet, tangy segments. Cut into the
skin, peel off the pith and then break open the segments and munch
on the flesh inside.
Rambutan People have different theories about what ngó look like,
not all repeatable in polite company. Regardless, the hairy shell
contains sweet translucent flesh that you scrape off the seed with
your teeth.
Rose apple Known in Thai as chom·pôo, rose apple is an elongated
pink or red fruit with a smooth, shiny skin and pale, watery flesh.
It's a good thirst-quencher on a hot day.
Salak Also known as snake fruit because of its scaly skin. The
exterior of sàlà looks like a mutant strawberry and the soft flesh
tastes like unripe bananas.
Starfruit The star-shaped cross-section of má·feu·ang is the
giveaway. The yellow flesh is sweet and tangy and believed by
many to lower blood pressure.
Nám Prík
Although more home than restaurant food, nám prík are spicy chilli-
based dips. Typically eaten with rice and vegetables and herbs,
they’re also among the most regional of Thai dishes – you could
probably pinpoint the province you’re in by simply looking at the
nám prík on offer.
There are many varieties of rice in Thailand and the country has been among
the world leaders in rice exports since the 1960s. The highest grade is kôw
hŏrm má·lí (jasmine rice), a fragrant long grain that is so coveted by
neighbouring countries that there is allegedly a steady underground business
in smuggling out fresh supplies. The grain is customarily served alongside
main dishes such as curries, stir-fries or soups, which are lumped together as
gàp kôw (with rice). When you order plain rice in a restaurant you use the
term kôw þlòw (‘plain rice’) or kôw sŏo·ay (‘beautiful rice’). Residents of
Thailand's north and northeast eat kôw nĕe·o ('sticky rice'), a glutinous short-
grained rice that is cooked by steaming, not boiling. And in Chinese-style
eateries, kôw đôm, 'boiled rice', a watery porridge sometimes employing
brown or purple rice, is a common carb.
Thai Noodles Dishes
In Thailand, noodles are ubiquitous, cheap and tasty. But they're also
extremely varied and somewhat complicated to order.
Sweets
English-language Thai menus often have a section called 'Desserts', but Thai-
style sweets are generally consumed as breakfast or as a sweet snack, not
directly following a meal. Sweets also take two slightly different forms in
Thailand. Kŏrng wăhn, which translates as 'sweet things', are small, rich
sweets that often boast a slightly salty flavour. Prime ingredients for kŏrng
wăhn include grated coconut, coconut milk, rice flour (from white rice or
sticky rice), cooked sticky rice, tapioca, mung-bean starch, boiled taro and
various fruits. Egg yolks are a popular ingredient for many kŏrng wăhn,
including the ubiquitous fŏy torng (literally 'golden threads'), probably
influenced by Portuguese desserts and pastries introduced during the early
Ayuthaya era.
Thai sweets roughly similar to the European concept of pastries are called
kà·nŏm. Probably the most popular type of kà·nŏm in Thailand are the bite-
sized items wrapped in banana leaves, especially kôw đôm gà·tí and kôw
đôm mát. Both consist of sticky rice grains steamed with gà·tí (coconut milk)
inside a banana-leaf wrapper to form a solid, almost taffy-like, mass.
The Basics
Thailand's eateries span the entire spectrum. Booking is only necessary at a
handful of the country's most acclaimed restaurants.
Street stalls The most ubiquitous source of prepared food in Thailand, street
stalls can be found just about anywhere, at any time of day or night.
Shophouse restaurants A step up, in terms of comfort and price, from the
street stalls, these semi-outdoor eateries serve some of the best food in the
country.
Restaurants Thailand's restaurant scene is vast and varied, in terms of cuisine,
amenities and price.
Glossary of Thai Food
gaang – curry
gài – chicken
kôw – rice
mŏo – pork
nám dèum – drinking water
pàk – vegetables
pàt – fried
pàt see·éw – wide rice noodles fried with pork and greens
pàt tai – thin rice noodles fried with egg and seasonings
pèt – spicy
þèt – duck
þlah – fish
pŏn·lá·mái – fruit
prík – chilli
tôrt – deep-fried
Pad Thai
Pad Thai is the national food of Thailand and famous all over the
world. It’s a stir-fried rice noodle dish, and it’s served as street food
as well as a main dish in restaurants. It can include chicken,
shrimps, or tofu.
The rice noodles are stir-fried with eggs and the choice of protein.
It’s often served with bean sprouts, garlic chives, turnips, chopped
roasted peanuts, red chili pepper and lime on the side.
Som Tam
Som Tam, also known as Green Papaya Salad is a real classic with
origins from northern Thailand. It’s a spicy salad that is served
nationwide in local restaurants, and you could even make it at home
if you have the right ingredients.
A traditional Som Tam recipe includes shredded green papaya,
peanuts, long beans, tomatoes, lime juice, fish sauce, and garlic.
Tom Kha Gai
Tom Kha Gai is another famous dish in Thailand, also known as
Chicken Galangal Soup. It has a very rich flavor thanks to lots of
coconut milk and a variety of mushrooms.
Some other ingredients in Tom Kha Gai are lemongrass, kaffir
leaves, galangal, and cilantro.
Khao Pad
Khao Pad is simply fried rice, and it can be prepared with various
kinds of meat and veggies. The fresh lime juice and chilies
combined with fish sauce makes the fried rice delicious and adds
that finishing touch to Khao Pad.
It’s a popular dish nationwide, and it’s one of the staple dishes of
Thai cuisine.
Laab
Laab is another Thai food from the Isan cuisine in northern
Thailand. It’s a spicy meat salad which can be served both as an
appetizer and main course.
Laab is also known as Larb or Laap, and it’s also considered to be
the unofficial national dish of Laos.
Pak boong
Pak boong is one of the healthy Thai dishes that is made by stir-
frying morning glory, also known as water spinach.
Although simple and quick to prepare, it’s a favorite among many
locals. The morning glory is typically stir-fried in oil, fish sauce,
oyster sauce, chilies, garlic, and fermented soybean paste.
Kai Jeow
Kai Jeow is the Thai version of an omelet, and it makes a great start
of the day. It can be prepared in various ways and include meat and
vegetables as well.
Tom Saap
Different kinds of soup is an integral part of Thai cuisine, and Tom
Saap might be one of the best Thai soups out there.
It’s a quintessential dish of the Isaan cuisine in northeastern
Thailand, and it’s characterized by the broth that usually mixes fish
and boiled pork with galangal, lemongrass, and kaffir lime leaves.
Panang Curry
Panang Curry is a type of red curry which is sweeter and less spicy
compared to the Thai red curry. It can be made with chicken, pork,
beef, prawns or tofu and it’s usually served with rice.
Unlike green curry, Panang curry is less like a soup and thicker like
a sauce. It’s a great choice if you want to try Thai food which isn’t
too spicy but still has a rich flavor.
Gaeng Hanglay
Gaeng Hanglay is another well-known curry dish from northern
Thailand that can be found almost all over the country. It’s made
with pork that is simmered in the curry paste until it gets so tender
that it almost falls apart.
Pad Sataw
Sataw, also known as stink bean can be served with stir-fried
prawns and vegetables, or pork. It’s a southern-style Thai dish that
you should definitely try!
Khao Soy
If you’re traveling to the northern part of Thailand, make sure to
have some Khao Soy, also spelled Khao Soi. It’s a creamy coconut
curry soup with noodles, and it’s often made with chicken, although
pork, beef and vegetarian options are available too.
It can be quite spicy though, but it’s very yummy and rich in flavors
Gai Med Ma Muang
Stir-fried chicken with cashew nuts is a popular Thai dish that was
originally adopted from Chinese cuisine. It’s a simple dish that has
become a favorite among Thai people and Farangs alike.
In addition to chicken and cashew nut, Gai Med Ma Muang also
includes soy sauce, honey, onions, chilies, pepper, mushrooms
which together create a flavorful dish with a balanced sweetness.
Roti
You can get roti with various toppings in Thailand, but the most
common version is with banana and condensed milk. It’s basically a
Thai version banana pancake and it’s delicious!
Roti originally comes from India, but it’s a popular snack and
dessert in southern Thailand. You’ll find roti stalls in all markets,
and even along the roads in several places such as Krabi, Koh Lanta
and Phuket.
More about the food from Thailand
There are countless traditional dishes to enjoy from Thai cuisine, and it’s
truly one of the most diverse cuisines in the world. In addition to traditional
food from Thailand, such as Pad Thai, Khao Pad, Thai Curry etc, there is a
wide range of regional dishes as well.
Northern Thailand is famous for its Isan food and Lanna Cuisine, and the
Southern part of the country has a very distinct cuisine as well due to a large
number of Muslims living there.
Central Thailand is home to the historic capitals of Sukhothai and Ayutthaya
as well as the current capital Bangkok, and there are several famous Thai
dishes originating here as well.
Each meal should include something sour, something sweet, something spicy,
something soupy, something meaty, something veggie. This is the unwritten
rule of eating Thai food, and one that you will learn if you go out eating with
Thai friends.
What is a traditional Thai breakfast?
In my opinion, the best places to eat authentic food from Thailand is in local
street restaurants. They are often characterized by their plastic tables and
chairs in a simple setting.
You might think that fancier restaurants will be serving better Thai food, but
in my experience, you’ll get a nicer food experience when eating at these
smaller restaurants or buy food from a market vendor.
Go where the locals are going and don’t be afraid of entering restaurants
without an English menu, on the contrary embrace the experience that you’re
about to get.
If you’re traveling around touristy areas, most restaurants serving Thai food
will have English menus as well, but the further away you go from the tourist
trail, the fewer menus in English you’ll find.
Food
Food in Thailand is mainly focused on flavour. Most Thai dishes are spicy
and fresh. They are made from vegetables and meats such as pork or beef,
and are cooked in strong sauces made from things such as chilli, garlic and
lime. But dishes are rarely served alone. Rice is a key part of Thai cuisine.
Almost all dishes are.
Stir Fries are dishes with lots of rice as the components are presented on the
rice. Curry is served with rice, as the curry is meant to be poured on the rice.
Certain foods foods are used repetitively in many Thai dishes. A significant
ingredient is the King Prawn. It is fried in sauce, used in stir fries and curries,
and used in soups such as tom yam soups.
Curries
Curries are very significant in Thailand. Massaman curry is a very famous
beef curry. It is made from coconut milk, peanuts, potatoes, cinnamon, palm
sugar, fish sauce and tarmind sauce. It is a mild, sweet curry,
Dessert
Dessert in Thailand is meant to be fresh and sweet, so it is based around fruit.
A dessert served in many Thai restaurants is sticky rice, a gluten-free, sweet
rice also known as waxy rice, botan rice, biroin chal, mochi rice, and pearl
rice. As a dessert, it is served with fruit, commonly mango. A modern dessert
in Thai culture is coconut ice cream. It is rich, sweet and creamy.
Drink
Herbal tea is very popular in Thailand, mainly Green tea and Jasmine tea.
Coconut juice is also popular, the juice of the coconut sweetened and
sometimes served in a half coconut.
Eating Customs
Thai meals are fun occasions. Thais eat with a fork, a spoon and sometimes
chopsticks. The fork is used to push food onto the spoon. The spoon is used
to eat soup and food. A knife will not be found when Thais dine, as the food
is already cut up. In Thailand and at Thai restaurants, diners share their food
and a meal is never ordered for just one person. People take small portions
from each dish, only what they can eat in a few mouthfuls, and come back for
more as soon as they have finished.
In a restaurant, the senior ladies are the people who order, traditionally, and
the bill goes to the richest person. Many Thai people are picking up on
Western customs, such as eating with a knife and fork, but a lot of old Thai
traditions and superstitions are still in use today. For example, it is considered
very bad luck to leave your chopsticks in a bowl. It is good manners to leave
a bit of food left on your plate to show that you are full, but if you leave rice
on your plate it is considered wasteful.
Best Thai Food for Kids
2. Satay
Grilled, marinated pork or chicken on a skewer often served toasted bread
and always served with a relatively sweet and non-spicy peanut sauce. For
many kids, these skewers look and taste familiar and are, therefore, one of the
all-time-favourites Thai food for kids. Satay can be found in the majority of
local Thai restaurants as well as in street food areas, such as evening markets.
But we advise not let your kid eat street food, due to hygiene issues.
3. Pad Thai
Many tourists believe that Pad Thai is Thailand’s most favourite dish, but in
reality, dishes such as pad kra pao are much more popular. One of the reasons
is because Pad Thai is not spicy at all and that is the exact reason why it’s so
popular among tourists and also great Thai food for kids. These famous
noodles are rather sweet and salty than spicy unless you add chilli flakes to it
what most Thai do. Usually, Pad Thai is served with prawns, however,
chicken and vegetarian options are pretty common too, making it an even
more accessible Thai dish for kids. For more information, check out our
article about the best Pad Thai in Bangkok.
4. Chicken Cashew
For a little more flavour and vegetables compared to dishes such as Fried
Rice, Chicken Cashew is a great alternative to let kids explore Thai food.
Chicken Cashew is salty and sweet and most important, not spicy. Chunks of
chicken are stir-fried, together with vegetables such as pepper bell and
finished soy sauce, oyster sauce and sugar. To make sure the dish is not spicy
at all, ask the waiter for “Mai Phet, Khrap”, which means not spicy in Thai.
Chicken Cashew can be found in almost every local Thai restaurant.
5. Chicken Wings
Chicken Wings are as familiar as you can imagine. A thin layer of batter is
deep-fried until crispness and the wings are often served with a sweet chilli
sauce. The big difference between western chicken wings and Thai chicken
wings is that the Thai chicken wings are very lean. The chicken wings can be
served with steamed rice, however, sticky rice is actually more delicious for
grilled and deep-fried meats. Chicken wings can be found in almost every
local Thai restaurant.
6. Grilled Chicken
For a larger appetite, Thai grilled chicken is a great food option for kids. The
small chicken breast or chicken thigh gets grilled above a charcoal barbecue
and gets that typical smokey flavour. As this Thai dish is a popular dish in the
Esan Cuisine, the northeastern part of Thailand, it’s usually served with a
spicy dipping sauce names jaew sauce. But the grilled chicken is very
delicious without the dipping sauce as well. As mentioned before, try sticky
rice instead of steamed rice with grilled meats. Make sure to visit SP Chicken
in Chiang Mai to enjoy the best grilled chicken of the north.
9. Penang Curry
Penang Curry is the least spicy and the sweetest curry between green curry,
red curry and Penang curry. But that does not mean the curry is not spicy at
all, so make sure to order Penang curry the non-spicy way for your kids by
saying “Mai Phet, Khrap”. Other than the spiciness, the curry is in our
opinion the most straight-forward Thai curry there is and a popular dish for
all tourists as the flavours are somewhat familiar for the western taste palette.
The Penang curry is creamy and goes perfect with steamed rice.
If you want to explore more Thai desserts with your kids, have a look at our
article about the best local and affordable Thai desserts in Bangkok. Here, we
will give you plenty of more local Thai desserts that you might want to try
with your kids. Although these Thai desserts are sweet indeed, they are made
with more natural ingredients compared to western desserts such as beans,
lotus seeds, ginkgo and water chestnuts.
The following three recommendations are fruits that you won't easily find in
western countries but are great to let your kids try.
19. Rambutan
Rambutan, related to the lychee fruit, is a fruit that Thai simply love. Once
you peeled the rambutan, you can eat the core, which is almost as sweet as
candy and is full of nutrition. The spikes on this amazing looking fruit as not
sharp at all. Rambutan can be found in supermarkets and local markets.
20. Guava
Guava, or - as Thai name it - farang, is a delicious fruit that is a bit similar to
apples but with a bit of a different texture and taste. Fruit vendors all over
Thailand almost always sell these light green, round-shaped fruits, next to
their watermelon and pineapple. Besides fruit vendors, Guava can also be
found in supermarkets and local markets.
Recipes of Thai Food
Directions
Heat the oil in a large skillet over high heat; heat the curry paste in the oil
about 30 seconds. Add the chicken and cook another 3 minutes.
Stir in the onion, bell pepper, lemon zest, coconut milk, fish sauce, and lemon
juice; bring to a boil; cook until the chicken is cooked through, 5 to 7
minutes. Sprinkle cilantro over the dish; stir. Serve hot.
Nutrition Facts
Per Serving: 269 calories; protein 30.9g; carbohydrates 6.4g; fat 12.3g;
cholesterol 80.9mg; sodium 378.6mg.
Directions
Nutrition Facts
Per Serving: 619 calories; protein 19.5g; carbohydrates 64.1g; fat 34g;
cholesterol 93mg; sodium 1010.4mg.
Directions
Nutrition Facts
Per Serving: 366 calories; protein 17.3g; carbohydrates 16.4g; fat 26.9g;
cholesterol 30.5mg; sodium 572.4mg.
Directions
In a large stock pot, combine the lime juice, coconut milk, wine,
curry paste, garlic, fish sauce and sugar. Stir to dissolve sugar and
curry paste and bring to a boil over high heat. Boil for 2 minutes
then add mussels. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until
mussels are opened, 5 to 8 minutes.
Remove from the heat and discard any unopened mussels. Pour
mussels and liquid into a serving dish and toss with cilantro.
Nutrition Facts
Per Serving: 485 calories; protein 48.3g; carbohydrates 21.4g; fat 24.4g;
cholesterol 105.9mg; sodium 1353.1mg.
Directions
Hеаt thе oil іn a large pot оvеr mеdіum hеаt. Cооk аnd ѕtіr thе
ginger, lеmоngrаѕѕ, аnd curry paste in the hеаtеd oil fоr 1 mіnutе.
Slowly pour thе сhісkеn brоth over thе mixture, stirring соntіnuаllу.
Stir іn thе fish sauce аnd brоwn ѕugаr; ѕіmmеr fоr 15 mіnutеѕ.
Stir in the coconut mіlk аnd mushrooms; сооk аnd ѕtіr untіl thе
mushrooms are ѕоft, about 5 mіnutеѕ. Add thе ѕhrіmр; cook untіl no
lоngеr translucent about 5 mіnutеѕ. Stіr in thе lime juісе; ѕеаѕоn
wіth ѕаlt; gаrnіѕh wіth cilantro.
Nutrіtіоn Facts
Pеr Sеrvіng: 368 calories; рrоtеіn 13.2g; саrbоhуdrаtеѕ 8.9g; fаt 32.9g;
cholesterol 86.3mg; ѕоdіum 579.4mg.
Dіrесtіоnѕ
Nutrіtіоn Fасtѕ
Per Serving: 375 саlоrіеѕ; protein 4.6g; carbohydrates 62.2g; fаt 13g;
ѕоdіum 454.7mg.
Dіrесtіоnѕ
In a large ѕtосk роt, соmbіnе the lime juісе, coconut mіlk, wіnе,
curry раѕtе, gаrlіс, fіѕh ѕаuсе аnd ѕugаr. Stіr to dіѕѕоlvе ѕugаr аnd
сurrу paste аnd brіng tо a boil оvеr hіgh hеаt. Bоіl for 2 minutes
thеn аdd muѕѕеlѕ. Cover and сооk, ѕtіrrіng оссаѕіоnаllу, untіl
muѕѕеlѕ аrе opened, 5 tо 8 mіnutеѕ.
Rеmоvе frоm the heat аnd discard any unореnеd muѕѕеlѕ. Pоur
mussels аnd liquid іntо a serving dish and tоѕѕ with сіlаntrо.
Nutrіtіоn Facts
Pеr Sеrvіng: 485 calories; protein 48.3g; саrbоhуdrаtеѕ 21.4g; fаt 24.4g;
сhоlеѕtеrоl 105.9mg; sodium 1353.1mg.
Thаі Frеѕh Spring Rоllѕ (With Vеgеtаrіаn Oрtіоn)
Ingrеdіеntѕ
Directions
Nоtе: While there аrе multiple steps tо thіѕ recipe, this dish іѕ
brоkеn dоwn іntо workable categories to hеlр you bеttеr plan fоr
рrераrаtіоn аnd cooking.
Directions
Stаrt by рrераrіng thе rісе. Add a lіttlе oil tо thе rісе (uр tо 1
tаblеѕрооn) аnd wоrk thrоugh wіth уоur fingers. You wаnt tо
separate the grаіnѕ of rісе ѕо thаt they dоn't ѕtісk tоgеthеr. Set аѕіdе.
(Fоr a vegetarian version of this recipe, try making Vеgеtаrіаn
Hеаvеnlу Pineapple Fried Rісе.)
Stіr Fry the Shallots, Gаrlіс, аnd Chіlі
Stіr frуіng thе ѕhаllоtѕ, garlic, аnd сhіllі.
Swіrl 3 tаblеѕрооnѕ of oil іn a wok or large frуіng pan over
mеdіum-hіgh hеаt. Add the ѕhаllоtѕ, gаrlіс, аnd сhіlі, stir-frying fоr
оnе mіnutе, оr untіl frаgrаnt. If using ѕhrіmр, add thеm nоw аѕ wеll.
Mіx tоgеthеr the chicken оr vegetable stock, fіѕh sauce (or ѕоу
sauce), curry powder, and ѕugаr. Stіr wеll, then аdd to wоk/раn.
Add thе Cаѕhеwѕ
Add thе саѕhеwѕ and ѕtіr-frу fоr 30 ѕесоndѕ.
Add thе Rісе
Nоw аdd thе prepared rice tо the wоk/раn. Stіr-frу until all thе rice
has mіxеd wіth thе sauce аnd іѕ a unіfоrm color. Break uр аnу
lumрѕ wіth уоur utensil оr a fоrk.
Tip: Don't give іn to thе tеmрtаtіоn tо аdd аnу mоrе liquid tо thе
rісе аt thіѕ point, оr it will еnd uр mushy. You саn push іngrеdіеntѕ
аѕіdе and add a lіttlе mоrе оіl tо thе bоttоm of thе раn іf rісе is
ѕtісkіng. Cоntіnuаllу lіft/ѕсоор uр rісе from thе bоttоm оf thе pan,
tossing rather thаn stirring it.
Add thе Peas, Currеntѕ (or Rаіѕіnѕ), аnd Pіnеаррlе
Addіng pineapple, currents (оr rаіѕіnѕ), аnd ріnеаррlе.
Add thе frоzеn peas, currants (or rаіѕіnѕ), and ріnеаррlе. Stir-fry to
mix in.
Continue Stіr frуіng and taste tеѕt fоr ѕаlt аnd spice. D.Sсhmіdt
Continue ѕtіr frying untіl everything іѕ іntеgrаtеd (1 to 2 more
minutes).
Tір: Yоu should bе able tо hear ѕоmе rісе "popping" оr сrасklіng in
thе раn. Fіnаllу, do a tаѕtе tеѕt. If not salty enough, аdd 1 tеаѕрооn
to 1 tablespoon mоrе fish sauce (оr ѕаlt іf vеgеtаrіаn). If not ѕрісу
еnоugh, аdd more chopped frеѕh сhіlі. If tоо salty for your tаѕtе, аdd
a squeeze оf lіmе оr lemon juice tо offset іt.
Sеrvе аnd Eat!
Thai ѕtуlе ріnеаррlе fried rісе ѕеrvеd with рrаwnѕ in a ріnеаррlе
bоаt.
Thai ѕtуlе ріnеаррlе frіеd rісе served wіth prawns in a ріnеаррlе
bоаt.
Tо ѕеrvе, ѕрrіnklе with spring оnіоn аnd соrіаndеr. Sеrvе on a
platter, or, as thеу dо іn Thаіlаnd, in a Thai-style Pіnеаррlе "Bоаt".
Thai сhіlі sauce саn be served оn thе side fоr thоѕе who like іt extra
ѕрісу. Fоr a great homemade Thаі chili ѕаuсе, try a nаm prik pao
сhіlі ѕаuсе recipe.
Conclusion
Thai food has become an important daily appetite for the people of
Bloomington either students or non-students. Thai cuisine is just as important
as any other cuisine such as western cuisine or asian cuisine. Enchanted by
the unique flavor of spiciness combined with strong blend of authentic spices
make Thai food popular and liked by people. Though Thai food is similar to
other South East Asian food, there are many things that differentiate it.
People like the distinct taste of strong spices and spiciness.
Also, Thai food is similar to the Indonesian's food spiciness but Thai food has
more a distinct and deep flavor because it uses various spices. I personally
like Thai cuisine and list it as the second most favorite food after Japanese
food. I often go to My Thai Cafe and Delicious Thai Kitchen restaurant. In
addition, I'd like to share a simple word or phrase when you come to Thai
restaurant. First, say "Sawatdee" which Thai people say to greet. Secondly,
say "Aroy" when you have finished your dish, it is a saying to say delicious!
Lastly, say "Khob Kun" because it means "Thank you" in English.