Food and Culture in Thailand

As a popular holiday destination in Southeast Asia, Thailand is known for a wide number of things. Besides its natural beauty, historical heritage and cultural significance, millions of tourists love to visit this country to experience a unique gastronomic adventure. Thai street food has earned a place in the global cuisine space for its authenticity, flavours and delectable treats. Read on to know more about Thai cuisines and its vibrant culture.

Popular dishes to try in Thailand

Thailand isn't about just Thai curry and rice or noodles. The food culture in Thailand takes on a very different tone when you explore the varieties available to give your taste buds and epoch experience. Here are some popular dishes you can try in Thailand;

1. Tom Yum Goong:

Tom Yum Goong is a hot as well as sour soup dish made with several ingredients, such as vegetables, herbs, shrimp and a variety of spices. Its delectable taste sets it apart from other types of Thai soup dishes. A single serving of Tom Yum Goong is sufficient for one individual, but you can definitely go for seconds.

Food tip: If you are not a big fan of spicy food but still want to try Tom Yum Goong, look for the milder version of this soup made with coconut milk.

2. Khao Phat:

Khao Phat is a renowned Thai dish that is loved by both locals and tourists. Available all across major cities in the country, it is a fried rice dish made with Thai jasmine rice and is known for its signature aroma. A typical Khao Phat dish uses ingredients like meat, tomatoes, garlic, onions, lime, sauces, pastes, etc., into the mixture.

Food tip: Not every Khao Phat you find in Thailand will include the same components. A few examples include Khao Phat Mu (a spicy variant of Pork fried rice), Khao Phat Maphrao (A variant of Fried Rice with Coconut), Khao Khluk Kapi (Shrimp paste fried rice), etc.

3. Khao Niew Moo Yang:

In terms of delicious street food, you can never go wrong with Khao Niew Moo Yang. It is a dish made of two main components, sticky rice and Thai-style grilled pork. During the preparation, the pork is marinated with a mixture of ingredients that gives it a signature savoury taste.

Food trip: If you want a quick snack, consider trying Moo Yang, which is just the dry grilled pork. You can find it being sold at all street food places in Bangkok alongside spicy Nam Jim Jeaw sauce for around 10 THB.

4. Pad Thai:

Pad Thai is one of the most iconic dishes you can try in Thailand. It is a type of stir-fried rice noodle made with finely chopped vegetables and meat. Depending on where you try Pad Thai, you can find recipes that use other ingredients besides chicken, such as squid, shrimp, crab, etc.

Food tip: Pad Thai is not just affordable but is also a very versatile dish. You can have it as a quick snack or for your lunch or dinner. Also, note that a single serving of Pad Thai can serve up to three individuals.

5. Pad Krapow:

Pad Krapow is a simple yet popular dish that you can try in Thailand. Served alongside rice and fried eggs, Pad Krapow is made using ingredients like chicken, onion, oyster sauce, vegetable oil, Thai chillies, etc. Its rich look and taste give it a signature identity among the array of non-veg dishes in Thailand.

Best restaurants to visit in Thailand

While the mesmerising beauty of the country can be a thrill for your eyes, but you will have to start scouting for a good restaurant when your stomach starts to growl. Now we have made this task easy for you by listing down the most popular restaurants in Thailand, keep scrolling:

1. Bangkok Bold Kitchen

This restaurant in Thon Buri is one of Bangkok's most popular places to eat. The impressive ambience, spacious seating and well-curated menu of this restaurant have won over the hearts of many locals and visitors. Some of its must-try dishes are Fried Soy Sauce Marinated Pork Shoulder, Stir Fried Fermented Fish Relish Egg and Marinated and Grilled Chicken.

Quick Tip: angkok's Somtum Der is one of the best restaurants in the country where you can try various types of som tum and similar delicious Isan dishes. However, you can also consider visiting Madam Somtum in Downtown Bangkok, known for being a great place to try som tum on a budget.

2. Mezzaluna at Lebua Hotel

It is another renowned restaurant in Bangkok where you can have a fine-dining experience with your loved ones. Alongside its luxurious interior setting and elegant ambience, Mezzaluna is famous for its 4 or 7 courses set menus. The food served here is high quality, but dining at Mezzaluna can be quite expensive, costing around 5,000 baht for its 4-course menu.

Quick Tip: You can consider downloading the Wongnai app on your phone during your visit to Thailand. It helps you find good nearby restaurants and offers detailed information and customer reviews.

3. Tu Kab Khao Restaurant

Located on 8 Phangnga Road, the Tu Kab Khao Restaurant is a must-visit place in Phuket if you are interested in Southern Thai dishes. Featuring a beautiful interior decor and ambience, the Tu Kab Khao Restaurant serves a wide number of reasonably priced, delicious dishes. Some of their must-try items are Gaeng Som Pla, Pla Sai, Nam Prik Koong Siap, etc.

Quick Tip: One of the best places to find all kinds of street food in Bangkok is the Chatuchak Market. You can take the Skytrain to Mo Chit station from Asoke and then walk for 5 minutes to reach the market.

4. The Riverside Bar & Restaurant

The Riverside Bar and Restaurant is one of the most popular restaurants in Chiang Mai. Mainly known for its jaw-dropping river-front evening views and elegant setting with live music, you can try not just delicious Northern Thai dishes but also Pizzas, Burgers, Mocktails, etc., at this restaurant.

Quick Tip: The most popular place in Thailand where you can try boat noodles is Ayutthaya Floating Market. It is very affordable and costs around 20 to 30 THB a bowl.

Dining Etiquette and tipping culture in Thailand

Sometimes while you have a great experience eating out you but might still feel a bit overwhelmed at a restaurant or eatery, especially when you are overseas at a new place. Such anxiety is normal because you don't know the rules of the land yet. You might be thinking - Should you tip or is tipping an impolite gesture? What should you do if you ordered excess food? To ease your mind, we are highlighting some key details about the dining etiquette in Thailand that will help you be at ease=

• The spoon (Chon) and fork (Som) are the two main eating utensils used all across Thailand. The use of Chopsticks (Takiap) in the country is mainly limited to noodle-type dishes and Japanese and Chinese food only.
• You can rest your elbows on the table when eating in Thailand, but make sure not to do so when talking to other people.
  Contrary to some Asian countries, you don't have to finish all your rice on the plate when dining at a restaurant or someone's house in Thailand.
• In Thailand, people like to eat their food slowly and have a conversation with friends and families during mealtime.
  The usual lunch hours in Thailand are between 12 noon and 1:30 PM. While most restaurants start serving dinner from 6 PM onwards, the normal dinner time in Thailand is between 9 and 10 PM.
• Tipping at restaurants or cafes in Thailand is not standard and is completely voluntary. In some nicer restaurants, a service charge of 10% is sometimes already included in the bill.

Local culture and traditions in Thailand

The diverse culture of Thailand is quite evident through its music, theatre, dance, art, festivals and so on. Thai food also plays a major part in the country's vivid culture, lifestyle and traditions. In addition to its originality, Thai cuisine has taken influence from various sources. Thai food mainly uses locally grown herbs, spices and vegetables. From simple stir-fried noodles to spicy curries, the regional cuisine offers a lot of options. Besides chicken and mutton, you will find most non-veg food in the country made from beef, duck, pork, rabbit, squid, shrimp, crocodile, etc.

Quick Tips For Your Thai Gastronomic Adventure

Here are some vital tips related to food in Thailand that you should follow;

• Do not underestimate the spicy food in Thailand. Make sure to eat well-portioned meals and stick to non-spicy dishes if you can't handle chilli.
  When ordering food, use the term “mai sai prik” to indicate “no chilli” and “mai pet” to denote “not spicy”.
• Before ordering food, especially at street food stalls, make sure that it is fresh. It's better to avoid ready-made food and wait a few additional minutes while fresh food is being prepared in front of you.
  Thai dishes are usually stir-fried, deep-fried or grilled. You may have a difficult time finding traditional baked foods in Thailand.
• If you don't know where to find good street food or decent restaurants in Thailand, consider asking the locals.
• If you have allergies, only try new or popular food in Thailand after learning about its ingredients. Thais are known for using an array of different ingredients in each of their dishes, so you never really know what to expect with each bite.

Take Home Lesson:

Food lovers visiting Thailand will never run out of traditional Thai dishes to try during their stay. The innovative cooking style and mouthwatering dishes of Thailand have made it a paradise for food tourism. While on your visit, don't forget to give the local street food a chance alongside dining at the major restaurants.

FAQs

1) What are some popular street foods to try in Phuket?

Some popular street foods you can try in Phuket include Pad Thai, Kuay Teow, Som Tum, Khao Pad Kai, etc.

2) What are the most popular drinks I can try in Thailand?

Some popular drinks you can try in Thailand during your tour include Mekhong, Sang Som, Chang and Singha.

3) How much do meals cost in Thailand?

While it depends on various factors, a decent meal at a cheap restaurant in Thailand can cost around 75 to 100 THB per person. Whereas, lunch for 2 people at a mid-range restaurant in Bangkok can cost between 800-1000 THB.

4) Can I find vegetarian street food in Pattaya?

Yes, alongside non-veg options, various street food stalls in Pattaya offer vegetarian dishes.