Taste of Thailand

Savour the flavour as you embark on a culinary exploration of Thailand, from its authentic street vendor nibbles to gustatory delights at fine dining restaurants

Thai food is one of the world’s favourite cuisines, as evidenced by the sheer number of restaurants that have sprung up in major international cities. But there can be no better way to experience Thai cuisine than surrounded by the authentic smells, sights and sounds of the country.

Aside from being loaded with flavour, Thai cuisine is famed for its balance and harmony. Each dish comprises aspects of the five fundamental tastes – hot, sweet, sour, salty and bitter. Intricate thought is put into how each dish will look and smell, and more often than not will also incorporate medicinal properties. Combined with an enthusiastic use of herbs, spices and market-fresh ingredients, Thai cooking offers a wonderful contrast of textures and flavours that will have you running back for more.

Herbs are a central part of most Thai dishes. For example, the popular tom yum gets its unique flavour from a combination of many different herbal ingredients such as lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, galangal and lemon.

However, alongside the strong reliance on herbs, geographic and ethnic influences have led to a richly diverse offering. These can loosely be divided into four regional cuisines harking from the north, northeast, central and southern areas.

Isan is the northeast region of Thailand, comprising about 20 provinces. Glutinous rice is a key part of the diet in this region, with extra ingredients sourced from what can be locally farmed. Popular dishes include som tam (green papaya salad), lap (spicy minced meat salad) and kai yang (grilled chicken).

In the North, there is a strong reliance on the use of dried spices. Like the northeast, glutinous rice, rather than jasmine, is a fundamental part of the diet. Typical dishes from this region include kaeng hang le (pork curry) and sai ua (spicy pork sausage).

A stir-fry and noodle culture prevails in central Thailand. Here, main dishes are accompanied with non-glutinous jasmine rice and often pack a fiery punch. Popular dishes include the world famous exports of kaeng khiao wan (green curry) and tom yum (hot and sour soup).

The creamy mussaman curry hails from the southern regions, while other favourites include kaeng tai pla (spicy fish maw curry) and satay. The south is often regarded as producing the spiciest food in Thailand.

Many people swear that the best place to sample this vast range of treats is from the humble street stalls that line the avenues in Bangkok and around the country. These aromatic carts are undoubtedly a must for foreign visitors and locals alike, offering authentic delicacies for next to nothing.

If you prefer your meal to come with a table and chairs, it’s easy to find restaurants serving excellent Thai cuisine, with a side order of smiles and a charming atmosphere.

At the other end of the scale, there has also been a renaissance of fine dining in Thailand that has given birth to a mind-boggling array of premium establishments taking Thai food to the next level.

Experimentation, fusion and modern approaches to food have ensured the Thai culinary landscape has evolved to suit gourmands from every corner of the globe. Offerings include non-Thai delights, restaurants with a vegetarian focus, organic ingredients, spa cuisine and more.

In fact, such is the culinary pre-eminence of the country, that Thailand has been chosen to host the prestigious awards for Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants in 2016, where a number of its own restaurants are expected to be honoured.

This year, several top Bangkok eateries made the list, including Nahm, which serves up exquisite Thai food from rare ingredients; modern Indian restaurant Gaggan; Eat Me, dishing up international fusion flavours; Bo Lan, renowned for its classic Thai menu and eco-friendly approach; and Issaya Siamese Club, the flagship home for internationally renowned Chef Ian Kittichai.

With something to suit every budget and palate, it’s a good thing that just your luggage will be weighed on the journey home.