Travel Asia

Exotic Flavors of Thailand Food

Food from Thailand is popular the world over; with Thai restaurants in Europe and America. Thai food benefits from the influences of neighboring countries such as Laos, Malaysia, China and India. Food in Thailand has a mixture of tastes; with each dish having different proportions of sweet, sour, spicy and salty. The contrasting flavors found in each dish are cooked in such a way that they are complementary and offer the adventurous diner a delicious experience. The Thai custom of eating several dishes with rice allows you to sample the many dishes found in Thailand.

Regional Flavors

Food in Thailand varies from one region to another. Food in the South of Thailand tends to be spicier than food in other regions. A specialty of the South is gang, a spicy curry. The curries in the South also tend to have more coconut milk which makes for a richer taste. Northern tastes lean to salty flavors and food here has less sweet and sour notes. Pork is also the preferred meat of the Northern region but other meats such as beef, duck and chicken are also readily available. Due to its remoteness seafood does not really feature in food in Northern Thailand.

In the North-East glutinous rice is a staple served at almost every meal; it is eaten with everything from roasted meats to papaya salad. The menu in this part of Thailand can also include frog, lizard, field rat and red ants. These types of meat are favored by poorer people who cannot afford chicken, beef and pork on a regular basis but can be an interesting experience. Food in Central Thailand borrows from the best of the surrounding area and rice is a must at every meal. The food is also smoother in texture and sweeter in this locality.

Food on the Move

Street food in Thailand is an affordable way to sample Thai cuisine; it is very cheap by Western standards and is made right in front of you. Food stalls are set up in every city and village and offer a either a quick snack for the traveler on the go or a sit down meal while the rest of the city whizzes by. Street food in Thailand is prepared right in front of you so you can be assured of its freshness, and at the same time see the unique ways these exotic delicacies are cooked. For the less adventurous there are still many indoor restaurants that offer affordable dining and there are also restaurants that cater to the gourmand.

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