Joanna James
Travellers headed to the lively city of Bangkok are in for a treat, a treat that will take your taste buds to paradise. Gorge on an assortment of traditional Thai dishes, savour a mix of mouthwatering flavours, and let the culinary wonders of the Land of Smiles unleash your true foodie.
Full of flavour, full of crunch, Som Tam is perhaps the most popular dish in all of Thailand, although its roots are deeply embedded in Northeastern Thailand. The classic green papaya salad is a combination of tomatoes, carrots, peanuts, dried shrimp, dozens of chillies and, of course, shredded green papaya. Thanks to the dish's immense popularity, Som Tam can be seen in a variety of styles throughout the country. While this flavourful treat is more than delicious to be savoured alone as a main dish, Thais love enjoying it as an accompaniment to a bowl of rice.
Nothing says traditional Thai dessert like a bite of Khao Niaow Ma Muang. White sticky rice sweetened with coconut milk and paired with slices of juicy fresh mangoes, a mouthful of this sugary delight is sure to make you feel in paradise. It may be a simple dessert requiring fewer ingredients than the fingers on your hand, but its tang is out of this world. Khao Niaow Ma Muang may not be the easiest to track down of all traditional Thai foods, but it can be found in abundance from April through May when mangoes are in season throughout Thailand.
A Thai national dish and the favoured gateway to the country's mouthwatering culinary wonders, Pad Thai is a dish that has become synonymous with Thai cuisine. While the crowd-pleasing dish comes to life in a number of different varieties, the classic Pad Thai includes stir-fried rice noodles combined with eggs, dried shrimp and bean sprouts, complemented by a tangy fish sauce. Although the world-famous Pad Thai is in demand as a street food dish in Bangkok, it can be found at any Sukhumvit restaurant, including the likes of the Avani Sukhumvit Bangkok Hotel, as well as eateries in other parts of the city as well.
If you are truly after authentic Thai foods that will make your trip to Bangkok one to remember, then grab a fried bug or a drilled worm from one of the many Ma Laeng Tod stalls that line the side streets and alleyways of the vibrant metropolis. Yes, an assortment of fried and grilled insects await the intrepid foodies, ready to put their taste buds to the taste in this one-of-a-kind experience.
A flavoursome mix of mushroom, mint, onion, chilli, chicken and pork, this spicy meat salad is a local favourite, although its origins are rooted in the border-sharing neighbour, Laos. Despite being an exotic dish, the locals sure do have added a Thai twist to the delectable salad.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
