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The Incredible Thai Food Culture

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Food is one of the most significant aspects of any culture, and Thailand is no different. Thai culture is unique in the way the people of Thailand serve, eat, and even order Thai food.


Understanding Thai Cuisine


The present-day Thai cuisine finds its roots in ancient history. It had matured significantly by the 13th century with the incorporation of indigenous vegetables, meats of various kinds, rice, exotic herbs, pepper, and uniquely treated garlic with a pungent taste.


Thai food has five major flavors: sweet, bitter, sour, spicy, and salty. Rice holds an important position in the Thai cuisine hierarchy. The delicious Jasmine rice is the preferred variety, but Thai people enjoy white rice. It is served with almost every dish and is considered a staple.


External Influences


Thai food has strong indigenous characteristics. However, this isn't to say that external influences made no contributions to Thai food.


Thai cuisine took noodles from the Chinese and various spices from the Indians. It was inspired by the cooking styles of neighboring countries like Indonesia, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Vietnam. The Chinese also brought the steel wok to Thailand, a must-have cooking tool in every Thai Kitchen.


The Best Thai Dishes


The flavorful and aromatic Thai food is growing in popularity around the globe. Following are some of the Thai dishes that cannot be missed:


  • Pad Thai - Pan Fried Noodles

These are spicy noodles loaded with chicken, onions, bean sprouts, and eggs. They are flavored with chili and fish sauce to give them an extra kick. The Pad Thai is a must-have whenever trying out Thai food.


  • Guay Teow - Noodle Soup

One of the most popular Thai dishes, Guay Teow, is a noodle soup and can be prepared using chicken or beef. It is topped with condiments like dried chili peppers, sugar, and fish sauce. It is often relished as a late-night snack.


  • Tom Yum Goong - Spicy Shrimp Soup

This delicious bowl is created from popular Thai ingredients like galangal, chili, shallots, kaffir lime leaves, and lemongrass. The fresh mushrooms and prawns lend it a taste from the heavens and make it one of the most popular Thai dishes to order in restaurants.



  • Khao Pad - The Thai Fried Rice

This spicy lunch snack is a must to order in a Thai restaurant. This dish is simple yet packs a punch and is filled with the goodness of rice, shrimp, onions, eggs, and aromatic herbs. It is made with Jasmine rice on special occasions.


  • Kai Med Ma Muang - Fried chicken with Nuts

This incredible dish is made from stir-fried chicken, onions, fish, and soy sauce. It is topped with cashew nuts, a departure from the commonly used peanuts. Order this Thai dish next time you visit a Thai restaurant as it promises flavor with a crunch.


The people of Thailand take pride in their food. They cook with such passion that every meal becomes a celebration in itself. Ordering food in a Thai restaurant will always bring you the same authenticity as a Thai household.


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