Thailand has become a stellar tourist destination in recent years – with its fantastic cuisine a huge factor in its boom. Let’s take a look at five foods you have to try when travelling in Thailand.
- Phat Kaphrao
What better way to start off our list than with a meal encompassing a lot of different nutritional values all at once?
Phat Kaphrao is made up of meat that is flash-fried with the popular local seasoning of holy basil. Added spice is provided through fresh chilli and garlic, with the finished dish being served up on a bed of rice.
To add that little extra kick, a fried egg is traditionally cracked over the top of the meal, which is all served in one bowl.
- Tom Kha Kai
This chicken soup provides those who are a bit sick of fiery spice with a much tamer option. While the dish does contain chillies, they are overwhelmed and somewhat dulled down by the rest of the meal.
Crushed shallots, stalks of lemongrass and tender strips of chicken are combined with the chillies, before a generous helping of coconut milk is added.
That milk makes for a very creamy consistency when all is said and done, and provides a sweet but flavoursome taste for those looking for a casual meal.
- Pad Thai
This is arguably the most popular dish to come out of Thailand. Despite a lot of vendors offering you a domesticated version in Australia, original Pad Thai can’t be beaten.
The meal consists of stir-fried rice noodles, mixed in with egg and vegetables, as well as prawns. Its origins are believed to come from Vietnam, although some people think the Chinese might have had a hand in its development.
- Yam
Unlike an actual yam, this meal packs a real wallop in the spice department (as you may be realising, food in Thailand is dominated by hot flavours).
Onion, coriander, spearmint and dried chillies are fried together in a pan with lime juice, before strips of beef are added and pan fried.
The conglomeration of flavours makes for a wonderful explosion of taste and certainly gives a new meaning to the word ‘salad’ – which is what this dish technically is.
- Kai Med Ma Muang
Aside from the brilliant name of this dish, it’s widely regarded as one of the most popular for tourists visiting Thailand.
Kai Med Ma Muang is simple to prepare and offers a fantastic contrast of textures and flavours in your mouth. Chicken is fried alongside roasted cashews, onions, chillies, peppers and mushrooms, before a slither of honey completes the mix.
The crunch of cashews juxtaposed with the soft chicken makes this one to savour when you do eventually get around to trying it.
These are just five of the most delicious meals available when travelling around Thailand. Why not give these, and many more, a go when you’re there on holiday?
This is a guest post by David Corr.