Joanna James
Part of the joys of visiting Thailand is getting to experience a gastronomic adventure that will transport you to the heart of the country’s vibrant culinary scene. As you dine at various restaurants and visit street food stalls and bustling markets, these five dishes are some of the culinary highlights that foodies the world over can’t get enough of.
You can savour a sublime combination of flavours with Tom Yum Goong, Thailand's iconic hot and sour soup. Bursting with ingredients like fragrant lemongrass, red chilli peppers, kaffir lime leaves, shallots, fish sauce, galangal, and succulent shrimp, this dish exemplifies the balance between spicy, sour, and savoury. One version of Tom Yum Goong includes the addition of coconut cream which makes it creamier too. This unique blend of ingredients will make every spoonful a delectable experience of the varied spectrum of tastes of Thai cuisine.
Indulge in the world-famous Pad Thai, where Thai-style fried noodles are combined with sizzling shrimp, tender chicken, or tofu, all harmoniously tossed in a blend of tamarind, fish sauce, and chilli. You may have tried this dish in your home country, but don’t miss savouring it in Thailand; be it at Bangkok street food stalls or Chanthaburi restaurants, you will get to enjoy authentic culinary creations which can vary from region to region. With additions such as crushed peanuts, bean sprouts, and a lime wedge, this dish showcases Thailand's culinary artistry with a blend of textures and flavours that will satisfy every palate.
Those who love eating meat, especially pork, should not miss ordering Moo Chamuang. To make this delicious curry dish, pork belly is cooked to perfection to make it soft, tender, and juicy. Of course, a signature element is the use of chamuang leaves which provide a distinctive slightly sour taste that makes this curry a must-try. Moo Chamuang is popular in Chanthaburi and can be enjoyed on stays at properties like Chatrium Golf Resort Soi Dao Chanthaburi which conveniently serve other flavour-filled Thai dishes as well.
Don’t forget to experience more aromatic Thai curries, available in red and green variations, depending on the type of chillies being used. The red curry, fuelled by red chillies and infused with flavours from ingredients like ginger and garlic, creates a symphony of spiciness. On the other hand, the green curry's vibrant hue comes from fresh green chillies and while being spicy has elements of sweetness as well. Generally, coconut milk is added too, which provides the dish be it with meat, seafood or veggies, a creamy texture.
Som Tam is a popular salad with an extra ‘kick’ of spiciness that you are bound to love. Its primary ingredient is something Western foodies may not have encountered in salads before, raw / green papaya. It is shredded and combined with a variety of ingredients that come together to offer a signature taste; these include carrots, palm sugar, fish sauce, chilli, lime, garlic, and tamarind pulp. Classic Som Tam will also have peanuts which add to the flavour and provide a crunchy element too which is bound to make this dish your new favourite 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.
