It’s said that Thai cuisine has continued to enjoy popularity worldwide because of its unique flavors and various uses of staple Asian ingredients.
Thai dishes are characterized by the sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavor profiles created by mixing fish sauce, fermented shrimp paste, palm sugar, lime juice, and Bird’s eye chilies. Moreover, many sweet and savory Thai food contain coconut milk and other products derived from the coconut tree, which is another staple Asian food component.
If you’re new to Thai cuisine and you’d like to explore different dishes through online ordering or by visiting restaurants, here are some of the most popular Thai dishes you need to try:
1. Tom Yum Goong (Spicy Shrimp Soup)
Tom Yum Goong is a spicy soup dish that usually features shrimps or prawns as the main ingredient, with some variants including fish and other seafood. The soup base is made by combining seafood broth, lime juice, lemongrass, galangal, and other aromatics. Then, the protein is accompanied by fresh vegetables such as mushrooms, tomatoes, and coriander.
As with many soup dishes in Asian cuisine, Tom Yum Goong is commonly served with steamed rice and a dipping sauce made with fish sauce, lime juice, and chilies.
2. Thai Cashew Chicken
The combination of chicken and cashews may sound unusual for Thai cuisine first-timers, but most find this dish a pleasant surprise.
Cooked with a thick, deep-colored sauce made with oyster sauce, dark soy sauce, and fish sauce, deep-fried chicken pieces and cashew nuts are tossed with fresh mushrooms and bell peppers to create a flavorful dish called Thai cashew chicken.
Thai cashew chicken is also served with steamed rice and slices of fresh cucumbers and a saucer of chili sauce or Sriracha as accompaniments.
3. Thai Curry
Red, yellow, and green curries are considered essential dishes in Thai cuisine. Each variant features a unique depth of flavor and fragrance, as well as texture. The protein choices can be beef, chicken, pork, or seafood, though some combine different meats or mix fish cakes and tofu. Then, some vegetables can also be added, such as potatoes, mushrooms, and bell peppers. Depending on the variant, Thai curries can have different levels of spiciness, with the yellow curry considered the mildest among other types.
4. Pad Thai
Another well-loved Thai dish is Pad Thai. This noodle dish is made by combining pre-cooked flat rice noodles with sliced chicken meat, beansprouts, and tofu. Then, all these ingredients will be stir-fried in a sauce made with tamarind paste or rice wine, fish sauce, soy sauce, and palm sugar. Commonly, Pad Thai is served with chopped peanuts and a lime wedge on the side for added tartness.
5. Som Tum Thai (Green Papaya Salad)
If you’re craving something with intense heat, sharp, contrasting flavors, and a little chewy crunch, Som Tum Thai might be your dish. This fresh salad is made with shredded green papaya, raw string beans, cherry tomatoes, and aromatics such as lemongrass, ginger, garlic, and scallions. These fresh ingredients will be lightly pounded and mixed using a clay mortar and pestle and dressed with a sauce mixture.
Traditional Som Tum dressing combines fish sauce, dried shrimps, tamarind juice, and palm sugar. However, there are now ready-made sauces that can be used for making this salty, sweet, and tangy salad. Some dish variations include seafood such as salted crab, fresh prawns, or salmon slices.
6. Mango Sticky Rice
Mango sticky rice is considered an essential dish in Thai cuisine, as it’s one of the most popular desserts that originated in Asia. It features popular ingredients in the Indo-China regions, such as sticky rice grains, coconut milk, and sweet ripe mango fruits.
To make this dessert, the sticky rice is cooked by steaming it in a pot. When ready, the rice is flavored by combining it with a prepared mixture of coconut milk, sugar, and a pinch of salt that’s been heated to a boil. Once the sweetened rice is cooled, it’s scooped into a serving bowl and topped with slices of ripe mangoes. Then, the dessert will be covered in sweet cream made of coconut milk, sugar, and tapioca starch.
Conclusion
Thai dishes feature a unique combination of various flavors, spices, and ingredients widely used across Asia. Hence, it’s an excellent way to get yourself acquainted with global and Asian cuisine and learn how its key components can be used in numerous ways. Luckily, many Thai main dishes have vegan versions which can be an excellent option for those who have dietary restrictions but wants to explore other cuisines.
Altogether, having Thai cuisine may be worth trying for anyone who wants to explore intense Asian flavors and unique fresh ingredients.
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