Thai Cuisine You Can’t Pass Up
You have to eat. And when you need to be at peak condition to make the best of your Thailand vacation, being familiar with the local cuisine is going to matter. So, what are you going to eat when you’re in a city like Bangkok?
Before anything else, you need to note that Thai food — authentic Thai food — is spicy and is probably a lot spicier than anything you’re used to. It’s probably even spicier than your favorite Thai restaurant back home.
So, if you don’t think that you can handle the level of spiciness that’s prevalent in Thai dishes, you can always stick to whatever dining options your hotel has or western restaurants. Bangkok’s an international tourist destination so you’ll find plenty of American fast food chains and restaurants.
But if you do want to try authentic Thai food, then make sure to have a bottle of water handy because you may find yourself desperately needing it. Or you could just ask whoever’s cooking to make it pet nit noi, which translates to only a little spicy.
So, with all that out of the way, what exactly are you noshing on when you’re out and about in Bangkok?
Kai Jeow
First up is breakfast. Back at home, your breakfast is probably sweet, savory, or a mix of both. Pancakes, eggs, bacon, some kind of pastry — the usual fare for an American breakfast. You may find something similar in Thailand, only with a definitive Thai flourish. Westerners who visit Thailand often find that they gravitate towards a dish called Kai Jeow in the morning.
What is Kai Jeow? It’s an omelet — fluffy on the inside like what you’re probably used to, but golden crispy on the outside. It’s usually cooked with fish sauce and chili, and then topped with chili sauce. You may also find it served over rice. This is street food and you’ll find it at most food stalls.
Gai Tod
Fried chicken is a staple food in almost every continent. No matter what country you’re in, you’re likely to find chicken that’s been bathed in oil and dripping with grease. Thailand is no different, though there’s a distinct Thai style to the way they make their fried chicken.
It’s dipped in shallots and oil to create a light and fluffy batter that makes for crispy chicken without the greasiness that comes with a lot of western fried chicken. You can find it in night markets, train stations, and on the street. It will likely be served with a bag of sticky rice.
Pad Thai
You’ve probably had Pad Thai. If you’ve been anywhere near a Thai restaurant, then you’ve at least heard of Pad Thai. These stir-fried noodles are often made with shrimp or chicken and seasoned with chili, palm sugar, tamarinds, lime juice, and fried peanuts. It’s not much of an exaggeration to say that you’ll find this on every street corner.
Soi Ooah
Soi Ooah is a sausage made with aromatic ingredients, so it won’t taste like an ordinary sausage. The pork is mixed with ingredients like lemongrass, lime leaves, galangal, and chili paste. It’s then cooked until the wrapper is golden.
Desserts
If you’re looking for something that is both crispy and sweet, then you’re not going to go wrong with Kluay Tod. These are bananas that have been deep fried. They’re crunchy on the outside but creamy on the inside. You can eat them on the go and they’re rather popular with children.
Speaking of desserts and other sweet treats, there’s Thai mango rice. It’s made of glutinous rice, coconut, and ripe mangoes. If you’re in Thailand from April to May, that’s peak mango season and you’ll be able to find this dish at practically any street vendor.
Roti, by itself, is not a food that has Thai origins. Its origins are in the Indian subcontinent. Still, the round flatbread is incredibly popular in Thailand, where it will be rolled up with slices of banana inside and dressed with condensed milk. It’s sweet and crispy all at once.
If you want more desserts in Thailand, then you’re going to want to look at Thai coconut ice cream. This isn’t made from any dairy products like the ice cream you’re used to. Instead, it’s made from coconut milk, coconut water, palm sugar, and white sugar. They’re served in coconut shells and with roasted nuts on top. Considering how hot Thailand can be, this can be a perfect way to deal with the heat.
Insects
If you’re feeling adventurous, then you’re definitely going to want to try Ma Laeng Tod. These are fried insects. You may have seen some videos online of tourists trying them out. Well, if you have, then you can be that tourist. If not, then you can film yourself eating them and also be that tourist.
Barbecue
If you find yourself in a night market, then you’ll encounter moo ping, which are barbecued pork skewers. While each vendor will season and cook their meat differently, you can expect to be sweet and savory with a strong hint of garlic.
Fried Rice
Rice is a staple food in all parts of the world and it’s especially prevalent in Asia. Khao Pad is Thai fried rice. It’s made with either chicken, pork, beef, seafood, or tofu paired with eggs, onions, garlic, fish sauce, tomatoes, and other vegetables. The ingredients are stir-fried with jasmine rice until everything blends and is then served with slices of cucumber.
This is a great dish if you’d like to have a break from all of the spicy food that’s so prevalent in Thailand.
Food is fuel, that’s true enough. Without adequate amounts of food, the human body can wither away in a matter of weeks.But it’s also cultural. Culinary traditions are woven into a culture and passed down from generation to another. It’s also joyful. People derive joy from the act of eating and sharing food.
When you go to Thailand, you can’t miss the opportunity to indulge in the local culinary culture. The great thing is that it’s so widely available. All you have to do is walk down the street and it’ll be there for you to enjoy.
