Pad Thai
Often eaten: Usually for lunch or dinner.
Known for: Originated in central Thailand.
Everyday meal
Photo: Miguel Cuenca (Pexels License)
5 dishes to discover
Food of Thailand
Thailand is a country known for its delicious and flavorful food! Thai cuisine is loved for its great balance of sweet, sour, savory, and spicy flavors. It includes many fresh ingredients like herbs, spices, and vegetables. Thai people enjoy meals with family and friends, and there are some special ways to eat that are worth learning about!
Featured Dishes
Meal Culture
In Thailand, meals are often times to relax and enjoy with others. People like to share dishes at the table, and everyone usually has their own plate of rice to eat with the shared dishes. It's a fun way to try lots of different tastes!
Eating Etiquette
In Thailand, people use a fork and spoon to eat. It's good manners to hold the spoon in your right hand and use the fork in your left hand to push food onto the spoon. Remember, it's polite to take small portions and try different foods.
When People Eat It
Tom Yum Soup
Often eaten: Often served during lunch or dinner.
Known for: Common in central Thailand.
Everyday meal
Mango Sticky Rice
Often eaten: Enjoyed as a dessert, especially in mango season.
Known for: Popular across Thailand.
Dessert
Green Curry
Often eaten: Best with rice for lunch or dinner.
Known for: All over Thailand.
Everyday meal
Som Tum
Often eaten: Great as a side dish during lunch or dinner.
Known for: Originally from northeastern Thailand.
Side Dish
Make It Yourself
👩🍳 Cook together! Always ask a grown-up to help with hot or sharp steps.
Pad Thaiผัดไทย
Makes 4 servingsIngredients
- 8 oz (225 g)Flat rice noodles
- 1/2 lb (225 g)Shrimp or chicken
- 2 eggsEggs
- 1 cup (50 g)Bean sprouts
- for the sauceTamarind, fish sauce, sugar
- to serveCrushed peanuts and lime
How to Make It
- 1Soak the rice noodles in warm water until soft, then drain.
- 2Stir the tamarind, fish sauce, and sugar together to make the sauce.
- 3Ask a grown-up to stir-fry the shrimp in a hot wok, then push aside and scramble the eggs.
- 4Add the noodles and sauce and toss until coated and hot.
- 5Stir in the bean sprouts at the end.
- 6Top with crushed peanuts and a squeeze of lime.
Tom Yum Soupต้มยำ
Makes 4 servingsIngredients
- 1/2 lb (225 g)Shrimp
- 2 stalks, 4 leavesLemongrass and lime leaves
- 1 cup (90 g)Mushrooms
- 3 tbsp, 2 tbspLime juice and fish sauce
- 1 tbspMild chili paste
- 1/4 cupCilantro
How to Make It
- 1Ask a grown-up to bring about 4 cups of water to a boil with the lemongrass and lime leaves.
- 2Add the mushrooms and chili paste and simmer for 5 minutes.
- 3Add the shrimp and cook until pink, about 3 minutes.
- 4Turn off the heat and stir in the lime juice and fish sauce.
- 5Sprinkle with cilantro.
- 6Serve hot — a tangy, fragrant Thai soup (use a little chili for mild heat).
Mango Sticky Riceข้าวเหนียวมะม่วง
Makes 4 servingsIngredients
- 1 cup (200 g)Sticky (glutinous) rice
- 1 cup (240 ml)Coconut milk
- 1/4 cup (50 g)Sugar
- 1/4 tspSalt
- 2 mangoesRipe mango, sliced
How to Make It
- 1Soak the sticky rice for 1 hour, then ask a grown-up to steam it until soft and chewy.
- 2Warm the coconut milk with the sugar and salt until the sugar melts.
- 3Pour most of the sweet coconut milk over the warm rice and let it soak in.
- 4Scoop the rice onto plates.
- 5Arrange fresh mango slices beside it.
- 6Drizzle the rest of the coconut milk on top — a beloved Thai dessert.
Green Curryแกงเขียวหวาน
Makes 4 servingsIngredients
- 2 tbspGreen curry paste
- 2 cans (14 oz / 400 ml)Coconut milk
- 1 lb (450 g)Chicken or tofu
- 2 cupsMixed vegetables
- 1 tbsp eachFish sauce and sugar
- 1/4 cupThai basil
How to Make It
- 1Ask a grown-up to cook the curry paste in a little coconut milk until fragrant.
- 2Add the chicken or tofu and stir to coat.
- 3Pour in the rest of the coconut milk and bring to a gentle simmer.
- 4Add the vegetables and cook until tender.
- 5Season with the fish sauce and sugar.
- 6Stir in the Thai basil and serve over rice (use a little paste for milder heat).
Som Tumส้มตำ
Makes 4 servingsIngredients
- 3 cupsGreen (unripe) papaya, shredded
- 1/2 cupGreen beans
- 1 tomatoTomatoes
- 2 tbsp eachLime juice and fish sauce
- 1/4 cupPeanuts
- 1 clove, to tasteGarlic and a little chili
How to Make It
- 1Ask a grown-up to lightly pound the garlic and green beans in a big bowl or mortar.
- 2Add the shredded green papaya and tomatoes.
- 3Pour in the lime juice and fish sauce.
- 4Gently toss and press everything so the papaya soaks up the dressing.
- 5Sprinkle in the peanuts.
- 6Serve cold — a crunchy, tangy Thai papaya salad (go easy on the chili).
Vocabulary
Both Thai and Mexican cuisines are loved for their bold flavors and the use of chilies to add spiciness to their dishes!