Joanna James
When in lovely Phuket, foodies will have ease of access to arguably, the most authentic Thai food in the whole country. Outlined below are the top 5 traditional dishes that you must have.
Although known to have several variations that can be tried out throughout the world, when in Phuket, Thailand, one will be treated to a heavenly indulgence of Pad Thai which is an excellent choice come dinner time. With noodles appearing as its chief ingredient, the Pad Thai that you will stumble upon in any of the local restaurants comprises a good helping of onions, tofu, ground peanuts and bean sprouts that are tossed in. Further, additions ranging from chilli powder, fish sauce or sugar can be reached depending on the eatery or restaurant that you find.
With roots in northeastern Thailand, the dish termed Som Tam is one of the best treats that you can have when in Phuket. Often paired with sticky rice and barbecue chicken, Som Tam is in actuality, a papaya salad whose texture and taste are heightened and elevated through dashes of the spiciest red chilli in the region which in turn, packs one almighty punch regardless of where you opt for a serving. Thus, for bursts of sweet and sour, look no further than some Som Tam which is a whole meal in itself.
Categorized within the healthy and non-spicy variants of fare in Phuket, Kuay Tiew is basically a noodle-based soup which is also, a staple that has won the hearts of Thais throughout the country. Beyond the broth, slices of succulent broad and thin noodles will combine in escorting you to a destination where one's taste buds will be quite at home and in their happiest selves.
A classical Thai green curry featuring generous portions of chicken comes across as the most sought after of its kind in Thailand. From a preparation point of view, local restaurants are known to include either green curry paste or green chillies as their base which is all but the tip of the iceberg. From here onwards, ingredients in the likes of lemongrass, eggplants, coconut milk, sweet basil, coriander, bamboo shoots and galangal are included which break out into a celebration on your palate, well worth being a part of. If based at any of the resorts in Phuket such as the Avani+ Mai Khao Phuket Suites & Villas then you will have access to a range of restaurants with similar servings to come home to after a day out exploring.
On the topic of "saving the best for last," one will do well to dine in the company of Thailand's national dish which is called Tom Yum Goong. Spelling exotic in big, bold lettering, Tom Yum Goong paves the way for food connoisseurs to sample shrimp, mushrooms, shallots, galangal, lemongrass and lime leaves that go well with fish and chilli sauce. For the curious at heart wondering as to what the exact nature of this spread is, simply put it is nothing more than a Thai soup but the word 'ordinary' does not in any way do justice to what is one of the highlights of eating out in Phuket.
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.
