THE ZESTY EXCITEMENT OF...THAI CUISINE

FACTS ABOUT THAI FOOD CULTURE

The Thai bring a whole new meaning to the phrase ‘family style’. They often eat together from a single large bowl with a few sides, and everyone is encouraged to try each dish.

Songkran is a festival that celebrates Thai New Year in April. Water plays a huge part with cleaning rituals to wash away bad luck and welcome good fortune and prosperity.

While dishes like Pad Thai may make us think noodles are traditional Thai cuisine, noodles were only introduced relatively recently during World War II; rice is a much more traditional food in Thai culture. Noodles were brought in to help ease a war-caused rice shortage.

Thai dishes strive for a balance between spicy, sour, salty, sweet and bitter ingredients, with many recipes calling for fish sauce and other seafood for saltiness, fruits for sweetness, chillis to add spice, tamarind and limes for tang, and raw green leaves and baby aubergines for bitterness.

Thai food owes much of its vibrant flavours to its fresh vegetables, fruits, herbs and spices.

Rice is such a key part of Thai cuisine that “Gin kôw rĕu yang?” (Have you consumed rice yet?) is a common greeting throughout Thailand.

Rice (steamed or fried) is a common breakfast food in many Thai homes, along with noodle soups, stir-fries and omelettes.

Thailand’s tropical climate means fruit grows in abundance and, as well as fruits being important ingredients at mealtimes, mangoes, papaya, watermelon and melons are popular snacks too! Fruits are often dipped in a mixture of salt, sugar and chillies.

Another popular snack is deep-fried cockroaches.

It’s considered bad luck to eat alone in Thailand.

Thai desserts use a lot of coconut (flesh and cream) as well as rice flour, rather than dairy cream or wheat flour.

Ovens are rarely used in Thai cooking, Thai people prefer to stir-fry, deep fry and grill their food.

Thai basil is very different to Mediterranean basil; it is spicier than its European counterpart and has hints of aniseed and liquorice.

Instead of eating three meals at set times during the day like Westerners, Thai people will eat as and when they are hungry – often interrupting whatever they’re doing at the time!

Thai Street Food

Thai street food is a colourful and flavourful representation of the country’s diverse culture and cuisine and is abundant throughout the country’s night markets and busy street corners. Thai street food is not just a way of eating, but a way of life that has been woven into the fabric of Thai culture; in this section, we will explore some of the most famous and beloved Thai street food dishes.

Thai street food facts

• Thailand is often referred to as the “street food capital of the world” due to the abundance and popularity of its street food scene.
• Thai street food is often prepared by street vendors using traditional family recipes passed down from generation to generation.
• The ingredients used in Thai street food dishes are often sourced locally and are known for their freshness and quality.
• Many Thai street food dishes are a combination of different flavours and textures, blending sweet, salty, spicy, and sour elements in a single dish.
• Thai street food has become an integral part of the country’s culture, and street food vendors are often considered local heroes for providing delicious and affordable meals to the community.
• Thai street food has gained international recognition in recent years, with food blogs and travel shows highlighting the unique flavours and culinary traditions of Thailand’s street food scene.
• Known for their creativity and innovation, Thai street food vendors are often coming up with new and inventive twists on traditional dishes.

Popular rice recipes for Thai street food

Khao Pad is a classic Thai fried rice dish that is typically made with cooked rice, eggs, vegetables (such as onions, carrots, and peas), and sometimes meat or shrimp. The dish is often seasoned with soy sauce, fish sauce, and oyster sauce and is served with cucumber slices, lime wedges, and a side of Thai chilli sauce.

Gaeng Kiew Wan Gai is a green curry dish made with chicken, coconut milk, green curry paste, eggplant, and other vegetables. The curry is often served with steamed rice and is known for its creamy, spicy, and fragrant flavours.

Poh Pia Tod is a type of fried spring roll that is made with a mixture of vegetables, such as carrots, cabbage and bean sprouts, and sometimes minced pork or shrimp. The spring rolls are wrapped in a thin rice paper wrapper and deep-fried until crispy and golden brown. They are often served with a sweet chilli dipping sauce.

Kai Jeow is a Thai-style omelette that is made with eggs, fish sauce, soy sauce, and sometimes vegetables such as onions, tomatoes, and chilli peppers. It is a popular breakfast or lunch dish and is often served with steamed rice and a side of Thai chilli sauce.

Pad See Ew is a stir-fried noodle dish made with wide, flat rice noodles, meat (such as chicken, pork, or beef), eggs, and vegetables (such as broccoli, Chinese broccoli, or bok choy). The noodles are often cooked with a mixture of soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sometimes fish sauce to create a savoury and slightly sweet flavour.

Kao Niew Ma Muang is a popular Thai dessert made with sticky rice, sliced fresh mango and sweet coconut milk. The sticky rice is cooked in coconut milk and sugar, and then served with ripe mango slices and a drizzle of sweetened coconut milk on top.

Guay Teow is a noodle soup dish that can be made with a variety of different meats, such as beef, pork or chicken, and rice noodles. The broth is usually flavoured with a combination of soy sauce, fish sauce, garlic, and other seasonings and is served with fresh bean sprouts, cilantro, and sometimes lime wedges.