How Thai Food Tastes

(STL.News) If you’re wondering how Thai food tastes, you’ve come to the right place.  Thai cuisine is famous for its spice, aroma, and flavor.  You’ll find that dishes in Thailand are often served in bite-sized portions.  Cooking whole animals is a practice that’s forbidden in Buddhism, so meats and fish are usually cut up or cubed before being cooked.  Thai people call themselves “snackers” and eat various snacks throughout the day, from beef and chicken satay to salads, soups, and sweets.

Fried fish is one of the most popular dishes sold at Khao gaeng stands.  This dish is marinated in turmeric root before being fried.  A sprinkle of toasted turmeric on top adds a unique flavor.  Fried fish is a popular choice for Thai street vendors and is similar to Malaysian satay.  The spicy fish paste nam pla phrik is a staple of Thai cuisine and is often served with rice dishes.

Pad See Eiw is another popular noodle dish found on Thai streets.  Stir-fried broad rice noodles are stir-fried and served with meat or vegetables.  It is served with spicy chili peppers, garlic, and chicken.  The dish is also flavored with white vinegar, oyster sauce, and other condiments, such as chili flakes and vinegar.  Some of Thailand’s most common street food dishes include pad see ew and kuay teow kua gai.

Pad Thai is the signature dish of Thai cuisine and is supposed to be on the menu at every restaurant.  Pad Thai is a stir-fried rice noodle dish that may include chicken, shrimp, or tofu.  The dish also includes finely grated peanuts and vegetables.  It is best accompanied by a squeeze of lime juice.  And if you’re adventurous enough, try to sample a variety of Thai dishes.

Besides being highly aromatic, Thai food also needs to have a balance of flavors.  The influence of neighboring countries, such as Malaysia, Indonesia, and India, is evident in the cuisine.  But, in addition to this, the Western world has also had its influence on Thai food.  One of the most iconic ingredients in Thai food is the chili pepper, which is actually not native to Thailand.  The pepper was brought to Thailand by the Spanish and Portuguese, and it is now widely used in Thai dishes.

Tom yum Goong is another traditional dish.  This clear hot, and sour soup is made with boiled shrimp heads and a base of Nam prik pao (roasted chili paste).  The broth is rich and redolent with prawn flavor and the addition of lemongrass, galangal, and kaffir lime leaves.  Tom yum Goong can be served either clear or creamy and is usually served with rice or fried noodles.

If you visit the St. Louis region, we recommend visiting the Thai Kitchen.  Andie owns it, but she was born and raised in Bangkok, Thailand.  Her dishes are authentic Thai cuisine, made with original Thai recipes and ingredients.  In addition, most of the employees are from Thailand to enhance the experience.  Their online reviews are high, and they offer four locations – Florissant – O’Fallon, St. Charles – Wentzville, Missouri.