Discover the top 5 quintessential dishes of Thai cuisine

If you have the chance to travel to Thailand, don't forget to indulge in the most distinctive dishes such as: Green and red curry, tom yum goong, spicy papaya salad som tam, Thai-style stir-fried noodles pad Thai, and Kluay Buat Chee banana dessert.

Thai cuisine is a delicate blend of herbs, spices, and fresh ingredients. Thai dishes carry a rustic yet powerful flavor profile of the East, intriguing any Western palate. But with each bite, one can find a faint sense of familiarity.

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1. Tom Yum Goong – Spicy and Flavorful Shrimp Soup

The distinctive feature of Eastern cuisine lies in soups. Tom Yum Goong serves as a bold affirmation of Thai cuisine with its intense spicy and sour taste. This shrimp soup is only delicious when made with the freshest shrimp and a judicious selection of aromatic herbs, elevating its flavors.

There are two types of Tom Yum soup, one clear and one creamy. To make the broth rich and fragrant, Thais often add coconut milk or milk. This cooking method softens the strong flavors, also showcasing the subtle Asian essence in its creamy texture and spicy kick. Westerners adore Tom Yum Goong for its unforgettable sour and spicy taste, encapsulating all the flavors of Thai cuisine in just one spoonful.

2. Spicy Papaya Salad Som Tam

When in Thailand, som tam is always on the must-try list for travelers. Som tam carries the distinctive crispness of shredded green papaya, the infused tanginess of fresh lime juice, the intense saltiness of dried shrimp, and the crunchy texture of roasted peanuts. The dipping sauce for som tam usually consists of fish sauce mixed with sugar, lime, and chili. Som tam is sometimes served with noodles to balance the spiciness and add extra substance.

3. Green and Red Curry

Red curry stands out as the most popular among Thai curries, often boasting plenty of coconut milk and a notably spicy flavor. Penang curry offers a sweeter taste profile, lacking the intense spiciness of red curry. Massaman curry represents a distinctive curry dish from the southern region and coastal areas. Green curry is commonly savored during festivals and holidays. Its primary ingredients include chicken or pork, coconut milk, green curry paste, eggplant, and various spices.

4. Stir-Fried Pad Thai Noodles

According to sources, Pad Thai originated in Vietnam but underwent modifications to reflect the authentic Thai taste, earning the name Pad Thai. Over time, Pad Thai has emerged as one of Thailand's national dishes. A delightful Pad Thai dish should be fresh and moist with just the right amount of richness. It typically exhibits hues of reddish-brown or dark brown mixed with green, white, and red from scallions, bean sprouts, and shrimp.

5. Kluay Buat Chee Banana Dessert

Having arrived in the tropical fruit paradise, one cannot resist trying this Kluay Buat Chee banana dessert. To prepare this dessert, sesame seeds are usually roasted first, followed by boiling a little water and gradually adding coconut milk. Sliced bananas are then added to the pot and boiled, with sugar added to taste. Some may also add a pinch of salt to balance the flavor. There's no definitive recipe for this dish; each cook improvises with ingredients based on their preferences, resulting in rich and diverse flavors across different regions of Thailand.

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Source: Travel Guide from Mytour – As per Kenh14

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