Discover the amazing world of Indonesia


Guide to Thai Cuisine

Tourist restaurants will often serve upabundant. Influences are also found in
a spineless, tasteless version of whatdishes taken from Indonesia, such as
should be a full flavour feast, andchicken kebabs with peanut sauce (gai
without anyone to tell you the food issate), an international favourite, and
less than genuine; a visitor'srich curries such as kaeng masaman from
introduction to Thai food is oftenMalaysia.
tainted by these 'farang-ised' ThaiEating in Thailand is very much a family
dishes. Once you have had enough of yetaffair. It is often thought of as odd to
another overly sweet, messy slop of phadsee someone eating alone and most Thais
thai, it is time to explore thewill wait to the point of starvation
never-ending possibilities of Thaiuntil they find a dining partner. A
cuisine.typical meal will include a soup, fried
When asked what they like most aboutfish, spicy salad known as yam, a curry
Thailand, visitors often answer 'thedish and a dip with vegetables. Each
food'. The creation of Siam servings ismember of the party will be served a
a masterful mix of salty, sweet, sour,bowl of rice and can take a bite from
spicy and bitter. The spice factor,the main dishes in the centre of the
often too much for most westerners, istable. Meals are eaten with a spoon and
used for medicinal purposes, combinedfork, while chopsticks are generally
with the use of market fresh vegetablesonly used for noodle soups or Chinese
and the choicest local herbs forfood.
bursting flavours and prevention ofThai 'fast food' is known as such, not
common ailments. The food is low in fatbecause of its enticing greasiness or
and high in fibre and most dishes,fat content as with the western
considering they taste so good, areequivalent, but instead as a range of
surprisingly nutritious.dishes that can be cooked up in a matter
But it is not only the unique andof minutes. These dishes such as phad
pleasantly pungent tastes that visitorsthai, or fried noodles, khao phad, or
love, the cost of eating in Thailand isfried rice, or phad khrapao, or fried
as satisfying as the pleasurebasil with pork or chicken, are commonly
experienced by the palate. One ofordered as a quick lunch, breakfast or
Thailand's major industries isevening meal, and often served with a
agriculture. Grains, meats, vegetablesfried egg plonked on top.
and most importantly rice are allThere are few countries that can offer
locally produced at minimal cost. Thesuch a range of fruits like Thailand.
country also has rich waters filled withIts tropical climate and heavy rains in
fresh and sea water creatures, which aremonsoon season mean that fruit is
shipped across the land, making seafoodeverywhere. The diversity of delicious
and fish dishes some of the most popularfruity sweetness to be found is so vast
choices. Add to this the naturaland the cost so little, some health
innovation and long standing techniquesconscientious rebels decide to diet
used by Thais in food preparation andsolely on fruit as an internal body
there are few who visit who cannot becleansing exercise. From the vibrant
satisfied.pinks of the dragon fruit to the prickly
Passing through different regions oflooking shells of the rambutan, photo
Thailand, you may notice that theopportunities are an added bonus to the
dialect and sound of the languagealready particular delight of fruit
changes abruptly. When you think youshopping in Thailand.
have learned how to say sawdee kha inThai desserts, in general, use five base
exactly the right tone, you move toingredients: coconut cream, coconut
another place and find that they have aflesh, rice flour, palm sugar and eggs.
completely different method ofAmong the favourites are thong yip, a
utterance. The same goes for the food.sweet egg yolk cup; foi thong, shredded,
There are four main regions offeringsweetened egg yolk, and tako, a jelly
cuisine adventurers a unique experience.served with creamy coconut.
Food in the northeast is influenced byThose interested in more than just
neighbouring Laos. Dishes are highlysampling the food fare on offer while
seasoned and among the most populartravelling in Thailand will be pleased
specialities are larb, a spicy, seasonedto know that in any mildly touristy area
salad made with pork or chicken; somtam,you are sure to find a local cooking
spicy papaya salad, and gai yang,school. Courses include trips to local
barbequed chicken. All are served withmarkets, ingredient preparation, cooking
glutinous rice, a northern favouriteand best of all, an eating party after
widely known as sticky rice, or khaoall the hard work.
neow.Top 10 Thai dishes among tourists
Burmese influences have bearings on theTom yam goong: a spicy shrimp soup made
dishes of the central northern regions.with coconut milk, lemongrass, lime
Northern cooks generally are less heavyleaves, galangal and shallots.
handed with the chilli and the use ofKaeng khio wan gai: green chicken curry
ginger, tamarind and turmeric is common.made from green curry paste and coconut
Khao soi, a curry with egg noodles andmilk.
pickled cabbage, is only found in thePhad thai: noodles fried with tofu,
north and should be number one on anyspring onions, bean sprouts and ground
visitor's list of dishes to try.peanuts.
Tourists to the north should not missPhad khrapao: chicken, pork or prawns
the opportunity to dine at a traditionalstir-fried with basil.
Khantoke dinner, combining the best ofKaeng phet pet yang: roast duck curry.
northern specialities and traditionalTom kha gai: chicken in coconut soup
performances in a reconstructed woodenwith galangal and lemongrass.
palace.Khao phad: boiled rice fried with meat,
Throughout the central plains ofegg, onion, cilantro, garlic and
Thailand, the food combines mixes fromtomatoes.
all regions, and many Chinese-ThaiMoo/gai sate: pork/chicken kebabs served
fusions are common characteristics. Thewith peanut sauce.
south is the place to get down to spicyGai phad met mamuang: stir-fried chicken
treats. Chilli-filled soups and currieswith cashew nuts.
are common dishes and fresh seafood is



1 A B C D E F 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130