Thai Food and Thai cooking
No one can resist the lovely aromas and the look of any Thai dish. From sweet and sour to salty and bitter. Thai cuisine is all about balancing these flavours to provide a taste that is one of the best. While also paying attention to the small details.
However Thai food provides a central role for any occasion. This is partly due to the friendly, social nature of Thai people, but also from the way the food is ordered, served and eaten.
The dish
Thai cooking mainly emphasizes on lightly prepared dishes with strong aromatic flavours and a spicy edge. It demonstrates attention to detail, texture, colour and taste. Thai cooking is about juggling the elements to create a perfect finish. Once you absorb the taste of Thai cuisine there is no going back. For some people it can be a little too spicy, however Thai people are always willing to accommodate tourist needs. Traditional Thai cuisine loosely falls into four categories. TOM (boiled dishes), YAM (spicy dishes) TAM (pounded foods) and GAENG (curries). Many of the best dishes from the streets of Thailand are stir fries, curries, minced pork or chicken, served with rice. And not forgetting the infamous Phad Thai which consists of noodles and the ever so mouthwatering noodle soups.
The Flavor
The flavors found in modern-day Thai cooking come from ancient history. Thai people had established what might be considered the heart of Siamese cuisine. Various types of meat and seafood are combined with rice, locally sourced vegetables and herbs. They are also heavily influenced by Indian spices and flavors. However, you would always be able to tell the difference between an Indian curry and a Thai curry. Thai curries incorporate many spices into their pastes, maintaining their own unique flavors with the help of Thai local ingredients such as Thai basil, lemon grass and galangal. Therefore other influences come from neighboring countries Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Burma and Malaysia. Combined, Thai cooking is one of the fastest growing and most popular of world cuisines today.
The Presentation
The presentation of food is another important major part of the Thai culture. Attention to detail and how pretty it looks adds to the relevance of the eating experience. Combined with the flavours the dishes provide, the food has to look appealing. Thai presentation is among the best in the world. With decorations including flower carved vegetables and fruits. Some stir-fries include the carved vegetables within the dish itself.
The Street Food
Night time is when the streets come alive. The street carts bustle with people ordering from the little stall, attached to a motorbike, that are dotted all along the bust areas. For tourists this is one of the cheapest ways to have your dinner. From skewered meats like chicken, sausages and squid. To steamed buns filled with sweet beans or meat. Night markets are a great way to sample all Thailand has to offer. With a variety of vibrant colours and fragrant aromas. A great experience to dive among the locals and try what they have to offer.
Whatever your preference, Thai food is a must try. Once you taste the mixture of flavours there is no going back. You can experience Thai street food at Bangsaray market and also along the beach road on most weekends. However, as a fussy tourist and the sweet and the spicy is not your style. You can always pop to the 7/11 for and ham and cheese toasties and a hotdog!
