Where to Eat

Everything about Thai Cuisines

Whether it is from the streets of Thailand or from the kitchens of royal courts and palaces of Old Siam, Thai food is a popular category and a particularly distinct cuisine. Known for being hot and spicy, one of the distinguishing aspects of Thai cuisine is its excessive use of herbs and spices. In Thai food, the herbs have another function in addition to lending flavour, in that they all have varying degrees of medical and therapeutic benefits.

Foodies' guide
Natural Reserves
Natural Reserves

Thai Food

Rich, mystical and with a cultural heritage that spans eons, Thailand opens its secrets to those who wish to leave behind the stresses and worries of everyday life. Welcome to a land of diverse landscapes that harbour scenic splendour!

Light as a feather, free as sparkling sunshine – come in and be amazed at truly breathtaking creations of nature. Welcome to The Amazing Kingdom!

The Roots of Thai Food

Originally, Thai cooking reflected the characteristics of a waterborne lifestyle. Aquatic animals, plants and herbs were major ingredients. Overpowering pure spices were toned down and enhanced by fresh herbs such as lemon grass and galanga. Eventually, in the best Thai food, fewer spices were used in Thai curries, while the use of fresh herbs increased.

Siam-esing the world of flavors

The ghee used in Indian cooking was replaced by coconut oil, and coconut milk substituted for other daily products. Traditional Thai cooking methods were stewing and baking or grilling. Chinese influences saw the introduction of frying, stir frying and deep-frying. Culinary influences from the 17th century onwards included Portuguese, Dutch, French and Japanese. Chillies were introduced to Thai cooking during the late 1600s by Portuguese missionaries who had acquired a taste for them while serving in South America.

Eat, Engage, Enjoy

The best Thai food is also about companionship, about celebrating, about sharing and about community. Sharing a meal is a priority for any Thai person and very seldom, meals are taken alone. That is why all the dishes are generally served at once during Thai meal and also, that's why there is a communal spoon placed alongside each dish for people to help themselves and to serve others.

Enliven your senses

A proper Thai meal should consist of a soup, a curry dish with condiments, a dip with accompanying fish and vegetables. A spiced salad may replace the curry dish. The soup can also be spicy, but the curry should be replaced by non spiced items. In the best Thai food, there must be a harmony of tastes and textures within individual dishes and the entire meal.

Thailand is known for its amazing treats and flavour combinations. The popularity of Thai cuisine is seen even as you walk down the street, with a restaurant around every corner. In fact, you can find one about every two hundred feet, the Thai cuisine served at each may be the same, but will not always taste exactly alike. This is because they seldom measure anything; each cook will enhance their dishes to their tastes, leading to subtle differences in the same food.

Still skeptic about how important food is in Thailand? Bangkok boasts a whole sixty-three restaurants, while Thailand has claim to over four hundred eating establishments. While touring this amazing and culturally rich land, tourists are guaranteed a great dining experience, with many taking memories and perhaps even some great Thai cookery recipes from the visit.

I’ve never been here before, but I’ve been so excited about coming, I’ve heard some amazing things, ...

-  Katie Dickie

know more

Thailand is the only country where Scouting was directly founded by a monarch.

Poll

When do you make your travel plans?