Sit down at Thai food restaurants to take a look at the menu and you’ll likely be overwhelmed by the large selection and unfamiliar names of the Thai dishes. Don’t let your inexperience keep you from some of the most flavorful and well-loved Thai dishes in the world. With a little guidance, you can discover a world of Thai cuisine that is unlike any other.
Thailand’s food marries the local flora and fauna with influences from neighboring cultures. But make no mistake, authentic Thai food offers a variety of flavors and dishes that are distinct to their culture.
Signature Thai Food Ingredients and Flavors
Thai food varies regionally and is centered on the locally grown foods but universally revolves around an intense attention to detail and focus on the relationship of Thai flavors. Rather than some cultures that serve meals in courses, Thai food is served at once so diners can appreciation the balance in flavor combinations of the Thai dishes. Thai food always considers the meal as a whole, taking into consideration the Thai flavors, aromatics, and colors of the dishes.
Most notably characterized by its refreshing seasonings and spicy flavors, Thai dishes most often include ingredients like garlic, lime juice, lemongrass, chilies, coconut, peanut, ginger, and fish sauce or shrimp paste. The Thai flavor combinations are complex and are meant to tantalize the senses.
As a staple of Thai food, dishes are typically served with rice. In fact, rice is so common that the expression “to eat rice” is the same as “to eat food.” Even many of the noodle dishes use rice flour to make the noodles. The rice or noodles are paired with a small appetizer, soup or salad, dips, curries, and the main dish.
Curries in Thai cuisine are notably milder than curries from surrounding areas because of their use of fresh herbs. The sensation is intense but brief, unlike other curries with a lingering heat.
Popular Thai Dishes
Due to the complex blends of Thai flavors and ingredients, learning how to make Thai food can be time consuming, authentic Thai dishes can take several hours to prepare. The sauces and dips often blend sweet with salty. Spicy main dishes are paired with lighter Thai flavors for the other portions of the meal.
Tom Yam: Tom yam is a clear soup with a spicy and sour flavor. It contains generous amounts of herbs and spices that are used to flavor the broth. The stock is composed of lemongrass, peppers, lime juice, kaffir lime leaves, fish sauce, and galangal.
Pad Thai: One of the most recognized dishes, pad thai is a stir-fried rice noodle dish served with eggs and tofu. The flavorful sauce is made from tamarind, fish sauce, garlic, and red chili pepper.
Som Tam: Som tam is a spicy salad made from unrippened papaya shredded and served with sour lime, fish sauce, hot chilies, and palm sugar, among other ingredients.
Massaman Curry: Massaman curry is derived from Persian culture, and most often made with beef, although it can be substituted with chicken, goat, or other meats. The cardamom, cloves, star anise, and cinnamon are also not native to other Thai cuisine but give it its distinct flavors.
Green Curry: Green curry uses green chilies combined with coconut milk and contains strong flavors. The curry is typically served with Thai eggplant and created using traditional Thai spices.
Thai Fried Rice: Thai fried rice is made with the standard soy sauce and seasonings but uses the popular Thai jasmine rice. It’s served with cucumber and tomato slices along with limes and green onions.
Moo Nam Tok: Moo nam tok is a traditional Thai salad originating from the northern region. It’s made with thinly sliced grilled pork seasoned with chilies, lime juice, and fish sauce, giving it its sour and spicy flavor.
Notable Thai Chefs
Thai food is appreciated by chefs all over the world for its subtle intricacies and unique blends of flavors. Most notable, is McDang, a celebrity Thai chef who even has his own culinary class at Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts. The Australian Thai chef, David Thompson, is also known for his prestigious Thai restaurants and books on Thai food.
Authentic Thai food offers a level of diversity often not found in other cuisines. With some of the most respected dishes on the planet, Thai food offers dishes that can be respected by everyone – from the most adept diner to even the most inexperienced. If you don’t know how, you should learn how to make Thai food and enjoy the rich Thai flavors.
