Thai cuisine has established itself as one of the world's culinary artforms and is one of five of the most popular cuisines globally. The other four are:
That means you can go anywhere on this planet and enjoy a traditional Thai meal. In our opinion however, it's only authentic when in Thailand and that's what this guide is about. Historically, there are many similarities of Thai street food with Chinese street food, and you realize that's the case because Thai cuisine stems from Chinese cuisine.
Very much like Vietnamese cuisine and their regional differences Thai cuisine has regional variations between the north and northeast, the central and southern regions. The northern street food is often milder but to the northeast it's spicier, the dishes are predominantly seafood and not meat.
Thai dishes often recognized outside of Thailand are those based on southern street food. Many of the dishes use coconut milk and the flesh of coconuts in their seafood. Central Thailand's street food is an equal mix of the north and south.
You no doubt have eaten a Thai curry either in Thailand or another country, but did you know there are many types of Thai curry and strengths? There are four main curries and two more:
The southern cuisine has two further curries, Panang and Massaman. What actually makes a curry Thai and another curry Indian and so on, are the individual herbs and spices used and in what measurements. With the southern curries there's a little Malaysian influence.
Stepping away from the curries for a moment Thai street food generally has some very interesting flavors. Consider that your taste buds sense a combination of salty, spicy and sour together all at once with sweet and bitterness in one dish.
Famous all over the world known as "a pot of stir-fried rice noodles", Pad Thai is Thailand's national dish. No need to guess as to why. It's very accessible on the palette to almost everyone who loves Asian food. Know of someone who has never ate a Thai dish before? Give them this one. What is on offer is either chicken, shrimps or tofu stir fried with eggs and noodles and an exhaustive list of healthy ingredients:
An incredible experience and our favorite dish when served with chicken.
This dish is common to the north, and you should treat yourself to a meal if you're ever in Hanoi. It's more of a soup than anything else, what best describes it. The broth is coconut curry with rice noodles and chicken usually but it's not unheard of to find pork or beef instead, or even tofu for vegetarians. Rich in flavor and a tad spicy so prepare yourself.
It's another traditional Thai classic from the street corner. Stir fried pork with basil and green beans along with ginger, garlic, lime, and chilies. You will enjoy this with rice and a fried egg ― simple, yet delicious and one to trumpet about afterwards.
An omelet to put it bluntly. Makes for a great breakfast feast and a great start to your day. Every street vendor will make their omelet a little differently ― don't look surprised to taste meat in what is served to you or even vegetables. What you look forward to as always is the sauce though. That makes all street food feel special.
This dish comprises of chicken and mushrooms thick in flavor from a coconut broth. This Thai dish uses quite a variety of different mushrooms ― those that happen to be in season or readily available depending on which part of Thailand you're visiting. In addition, this legendary dish will also have lemongrass, kaffir leaves, galangal (Thai ginger), and cilantro (in plain English it's Coriander). A tasty dish no matter the time of day or evening.
This one is a spicy papaya salad from the northern east of Thailand and it's rather nice actually. We love it for how simple it is and healthy to boot. It's one of those dishes that torments your taste buds in identifying what's in it. You never can be sure, but we know:
Thrown in with this beautiful creation are crab and dried shrimps and peanuts with rice noodles. There's a lot going on, as we said, but it's all sensational.
Such diversity in Thailand's strength. Authentic street food cuisine is what has earned it worldwide recognition and acceptance into our everyday diet. Who hasn't ever been to their local Chinese restaurant? Exactly. Few hands are raised and that's the same sentiment with a local Thai restaurant too.
The UK national street food is fish and chips with vinegar and the US has their mustard and ketchup on a hotdog. Other countries have their street food. But everyone regardless will seek out Thai cuisine because they miss the spicy, salty, sweet and sour and bitter pleasures the Thai people bring to the table.
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Hello, we are George and Elle Mae Melyre.
Over the years, amidst work and family life, we have traveled extensively throughout Asia. Any chance to briefly escape or properly holiday in our beloved Asian destinations is eagerly seized, motivated by the enduring dream of leaving behind the UK's dreary cold for tropical climes.