Food is an important part of any culture. It’s an expression of cultural identity and gives us a connection to the past.
This is especially true for Thai food. Many modern dishes have roots in ancient Thai traditions and have influences from nearby Asian cultures.
You don’t have to visit Thailand to experience its wonderful food. There are plenty of authentic Thai restaurants all over the world. Keep reading to discover some of the most popular and delicious dishes Thai cuisine has to offer.
Thai Soups
Thai cuisine features several delicious soups to start with. Below are some of the most popular soups offered at most Thai restaurants.
Tom Yum
Tom Yum is a hot and sour soup. Recipes may vary, but it’s often made from a stock of herbs and spices. The soup is then simmered with Thai ingredients including lemongrass, lime leaves, and cilantro.
Tom Kha
Tom Kha is another type of hot and sour soup. It’s like Tom Yum but is made with a few different ingredients including coconut milk and galangal. The coconut milk gives Tom Kha a creamier broth, making it a little thicker and smoother.
Thai Curries
Thai curries are soup-like dishes usually made with coconut milk and curry paste. These dishes have lots of vegetables and are often served with rice. Below are some of the most popular Thai curries.
Green Curry
Green curry features Thai flavors such as green chili, galangal, and lemongrass. This dish contains eggplant, bell peppers, and Thai basil.
Red Curry
Red curry has many of the same flavors as green curry, but it’s a bit spicier since it’s made with red chilis. This dish contains bamboo shoots, bell peppers, and Thai basil.
Yellow Curry
Yellow curry is milder than green or red curry because the curry paste is made with turmeric. This dish contains carrots, potatoes, and tomatoes.
Panang Curry
Panang curry is a variety of red curry that is usually thicker as it has more coconut milk and is less spicy. This dish contains bell peppers and Thai basil.
Massaman Curry
Massaman curry is a milder curry and is a little more of a heavier curry than the others. This curry contains potatoes and peanuts. It is speculated to originate in the neighboring country Malaysia and introduced to Thailand through traveling Persian merchants.
Noodle Dishes
Noodles dishes are common in Thai cuisine. They use many different types of noodles from thin bean thread noodles to thick rice noodles. Below are some of the most popular noodle dishes.
Phad Thai
Phad Thai is one of the most well-known Thai dishes. It’s made with thin rice noodles stir-fried with egg, bean sprouts, and peanuts. The dish is then tossed in a sauce made from tamarind, fish sauce, garlic, and other Thai ingredients.
Phad See Iew
Phad See Iew features thick rice noodles stir-fried in soy sauce with egg and Chinese broccoli. It’s often served with beef or other meat such as chicken or pork.
Phad Kee Mao
Phad Kee Mao, or drunken noodles, is another dish made with thick rice noodles. It’s like Pad See Ew, but it also includes chili sauce, bell pepper, and Thai basil
Authentic Thai Cuisine from Thai Ginger
The dishes listed above are some of the most popular in Thailand and around the world, but there’s so much more to Thai cuisine. We offer many other delicious dishes, so there’s sure to be something for everyone.Getting hungry? Take a look at our menu and start your order now.