Foods

The Delicious Characteristics of Thai Cuisine

On July 4, 2024 by Levi

Thai food always follows a strict set of features which make it stand out from the Pan-Asian crowd. What are the characteristics which define Thai food as we know it? This article discusses and explores them in greater detail.

Thai food is renowned throughout the world as flavourful, fresh, and filled with delicious spices. With such enticing aspects it is no wonder that millions of people enjoy Thai cuisine every year – even if they are a thousand miles from Asia.

Defining Thai Cuisine

The food eaten by the people of Thailand is intrinsically tied to their culture and history. It is one of the country’s main exports, currently fuelled by an interest in self-care, fitness, and nutrition as spurred on by the passing Coronavirus (Statista, 2024).

Yet even in the wake of a virus which forced all of us to examine the nutritional benefits of the food we eat; Thai cuisine has always had a focus on health. It uses the freshest possible ingredients and a blend of aromatic herbs and spices to create its unique flavours.

As well as having four different categories of food, Thai cuisine is further divided by the five major regions of Thailand itself. Thus on one menu you might encounter a spicy Laab salad from the north east or a Khao Soi from Chiang Mai. Let’s not forget the Thai propensity towards consideration of textures, either. Thai food is as crunchy, smooth, melt-in-the-mouth, and sour as can be.

Using these classifications and sticking to authentic Thai ingredients, you can gain a basic understanding of Thai cuisine in one easy-to-read blog.

What is Thai cuisine Famous For?

Thai cuisine is famous for freshness, fish sauces, and intriguing spices. Common ingredients you might encounter include lime leaves and lemongrass, shrimp, and fish pastes. They rely heavily on chillies, turmeric, cilantro, and fresh peppers. The balance between all the elements is what makes Thai cuisine famous.

What are the Defining Features of Thai Dishes?

All Thai dishes share similarities which help define the cuisine as a whole. Look for the following things to discern if you are eating Thai food or not.

The 5 Elements of Thai Food

Every Thai dish must balance between five pillars. The dish must be salty, sweet, sour, creamy, and spicy. If a dish does not meet one of these, then it is not considered true Thai food. Most dishes balance each of these five pillars to create delectable dishes which are simply unforgettable.

The Four Categories of Thai Food

Within these 5 taste pillars, Thai dishes typically fall under a further four different types of meal. These are:

• Boiled dishes such as dumplings, meats, and soups.
• Salads, usually spicy, which utilise colours and flavours.
• Pounded foods, known as ‘tam’
• Curries, including the famous Thai green and Thai red – but also Thai yellow, made with turmeric.

Notably, Thai cuisine does not rely on deep frying techniques. Expect a visit to a Thai restaurant to feature a refreshing meal with light courses, all delicately balanced on the palate. Thai cuisine is naturally fat burning due to the freshness and lightness of the ingredients used.

Distinctions Between Thai Food and Pan Asian Food

Pan Asian food refers to the mixed and varied cuisines from across Asia. What makes Thai food different from these? Asides from the bold, fresh flavours, lime leaves, lemongrasses, and uniquely Thai foods – the area has been closely inspired by their Indian neighbours. Thus, where most Asian foods focus heavily on noodle dishes, Thai food contains otherwise out of place herbs like basil, turmeric, and cilantro.

The rich use of as many as a dozen different varieties of chilli are another defining feature of Thai food. Chillies can be sweet, sour, salty, fresh, or fermented. They can be hot or mild, and even come doused down with coconut milk to lessen the intensity, just as you might find in neighbouring India.

New To Thai Cuisine? Try These Dishes!

All that remains is to direct you towards a mix of Thai dishes which might give you a good cross section of what to expect from your next trip to a Thai restaurant.

Tom Yum Goong

This traditional Thai soup is served spicy and sour. It is traditionally made with a prawn base featuring hot chillies, lime juice, lemongrass, Kaffir, and galangal. The broth is simmered for hours to fully infuse all flavours. Its delicate balance is what sets it apart.

Pad Thai

This traditional Thai dish features noodles, a protein (usually shrimp), bean sprouts and finely sliced shallots. Other ingredients are added to create the sweet, salty, sour, spicy and creamy.

Khao Soi

This dreamy Thai dish is a cross between a curry and a noodle soup. Made with a creamy coconut base, this dish uses egg noodles and protein, crispy noodles, and seasonal vegetables to create something wonderful.

Try Thai today. You never know when you might find your new favourite food.