Joanna James
Thai cuisine is one that is beloved across the world, especially for its aromatic herbs, vibrant spices, and intricate flavours. Travellers on a wellness journey in Phuket are spoilt for choice, as the Thai island offers an assortment of delectable local dishes that are both delicious and nourishing.
“Tom” for boiling and “Yum” for mixing, Tom Yum is aptly named, for it is a precise yet straightforward explanation of the preparation of the dish. It is a mix of shrimps, mushrooms, shallots, lime, lemongrass, hot peppers, and ginger boiled in a pot until it’s steaming hot. Tom Yum is so popular in Thailand that various regional varieties of the dish have emerged over the years, such as tom yum gai, with added chicken, and tom yum talay, with mixed seafood.
A combination of shredded raw papaya, tomatoes, chilli, palm sugar, garlic, lime, and roasted peanuts, Som Tam is one of the healthiest dishes in the Southeast Asian nation. Zesty and deeply refreshing, the local classic is packed with vitamin C, vitamin A, fibre, and various other digestive enzymes. Not only is it one of the most nourishing dishes in Thai cuisine, but also one of the simplest and is served at many wellness retreats in Phuket and other parts of the Southeast Asian nation, including the likes of Layan Life by Anantara.
Larb, the unofficial national dish of Laos, is also a beloved classic by its neighbour to the southwest, Thailand. This generously seasoned meat salad is garnished with freshly chopped herbs and toasted ground rice. Locals prepare Larb with a variety of meat options, including beef, pork, chicken, duck, or fish. It is packed with protein and iron, among other fibre and vitamins.
Your exploration of Thai cuisine wouldn’t be complete without a bowl of steaming hot Tom Kha Gai. Considered one of the national dishes of Thailand, the delicious Thai coconut soup is also one of the most nourishing local dishes, making it a perfect choice that complements the rest of your efforts towards healthy living.
While Kaeng Khiao Wan may translate to “sweet green curry,” the sweet only refers to the muted green colour of the dish and definitely not the relish, as it sure is spicy. As a matter of fact, it is a dish that is very much based on spicy green chillies. So, it goes without saying that Thailand’s green curry may not be the most ideal dish for foreign taste buds to start their culinary exploration.
A traditional Thai dessert to round off your traditional Thai meal, Khao Niao Mamuang is a favoured dessert among locals and tourists alike. Better known as mango sticky rice by foreign travellers, the popular dessert consists of freshly cut slices of juicy mango served with a bed of white rice. The rice is unlike any other and is specially made with the use of sweetened coconut milk.
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A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
