Introduction
Thailand is not only a country of beautiful beaches and friendly inhabitants but also beautiful cities, exotic food and sparkling beauty. Of all the food enthusiasts’ paradises, you can say that Thailand is a place where every street has something different and tasty to offer. Whenever one imagines about Thai cuisine, one generally thinks of Thai street food or food stalls which is very delicious, but Thailand has a diverse range of restaurants and many things to do. Varying from star-rated restaurants or those restaurants that have been awarded Michelin stars. They love spicy food, fresh sea foods and even savored snacks because they really have a variety of recipes to offer. This blog is an excellent reference source for all the food lovers planning to visit Thailand, and with a good and selected Thailand tour package, one can taste the best of Thai cuisine.
Discovering Thailand’s Street Food Culture
Eating on the road is a defining feature of Thai culture and it doesn’t take a lot of imagination to see why. The sight and smell of cooking food, whether it is Thai barbeque, or just freshly grilled fish, and the sizzling food prepared in each and every street of Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket will definitely lure a traveler. The definition of street food in Thailand means so much more than just a meal. Many would say that they have never been to Thailand but have been street-food tripping. A significance of Thai street food, Buying Thai street food can be an emotion-invoking process. You will find people, both local and foreigners participating in food stalls, and people are eating together and having conversations with the food sellers. Thai food sold on the street contains tasty food at a low price, which gives one a genuine feel of Thailand.
Must-Try Street Foods
This noodle dish is made of rice noodles stir-fried together with eggs, tofu pieces, shrimp and crushed peanuts with a hint of tamarind and lime juice.
- Som Tum – A fruit salad of raw green papaya with lime juice, chili, peanuts and shrimp.
- Khao Niew Ma Muang – A type of delicious dessert food for Thai people, it tastes sweet and sour with the creamy texture of Mango sticky rice, and of course, it’s absolutely delicious.
- Tom Yum Goong – Thai hot and spicy soup with Shiromano shrimp, lemon grass, Peel of lime and Galanga.
These are few samples of tremendous mouth-watering dishes that are in store for you at almost every corner of the street in Thailand. To fully experience the different tastes of Thailand, you should try to hire a Thailand tour package that has something to do with food tours if you are a true lover of food.
The Restaurant Scene in Thailand
However, Thailand does offer a wide section of restaurants. Some of them offer cuisines typical of their location but with a Thailness touch. With anything from simple home-based eateries to Michelin-starred restaurants, Thailand’s restaurants have adopted a contemporary and opulent take on Thai cuisine. Some of the foremost restaurants are located in Bangkok, especially within the coverage of Asia.
Top Restaurants in Thailand for Food Lovers
- Nahm, Bangkok – A one-starred Michelin restaurant that introduced modern interpretations of the essence of Thai tastes. You will get dishes like smoked fish garnished with herbs, spicy relish, Gaeng Keow Wan (green curry).
- Sorn, Bangkok – ‘Sorn’ restaurant is located in Bangkok and it is rated as 2 Michelin star restaurant that serves south Thai dishes. You can enjoy seafood dishes like spicy crab curry and fish cooked in coconut gravy besides, meats curries marinated in turmeric.
- Ruen Urai, Bangkok – It’s a Thai restaurant that is located in a beautiful traditional teakwood house with delicious Thai meals.
Visiting these places as a restaurant gives the chance to try the imagination of Thai chefs who transform the basics of Thai cuisine into a high-class eating establishment. No matter whether you are looking for a casual dining experience or a fine dining experience, having restaurant stops in your Thailand tour package will make the journey all the easier.
Regional Thai Cuisine: A Culinary Adventure
Thailand has its own very distinctive culinary map, which means that every region of the country has different unique food preferences. This advice is particularly important if you are on a specifically organized Thailand tour or even a Thailand tour package, do not restrict yourself to a certain city, and try different places’ cuisines.
Northern Thailand (Chiang Mai)
The food in Northern Thailand is different from the South’s food. It is because the north is not as spicy as that of the south. Some of them are similar to those of neighboring countries such as Myanmar and Laos, herbs, spices, and curries.
- Khao Soi – This rich and tunny curry noodle soup that originated from Northern Thailand is among the favorites. It contains minced beef or chicken and is served with noodle fritters on top.
- Nga Cha Sai Oua – Thai Northern-style sausage with ground pork, lemongrass, Kaffir lime leaves and chili.
Southern Thailand (Phuket)
The southern part of Thailand is famous for its hot and sour dishes. It includes the use of seafood and coconut milk. The strong spices in these meals reflect the influence of Malay and Indian cultures.
- Gaeng Som Pla – This is a preparation of fish steamed and cooked with lemons, tamarind, turmeric, and chilies.
- Phuket Lobster – Fresh grilled lobster with special seafood chilly sauce.
So when it comes to the subject of Thai food an understanding of the country’s geographical split between the north and the south is recommended in order to fully capture the breadth of Thai food. When you plan to visit Thailand and these areas in particular during your culture tour package, you will be able to savor these foods.
The Best Food Markets in Thailand
I always believe that one of the best ways to get to know the people of a country is to shop at a food market in Thailand. Here lively food markets are traditionally developed and offer lots of local fruits and vegetables, Thai street food, and spices. In any city or town, be it Bangkok, Chiang Mai, or Phuket, there is a food market where your taste buds will be mind blowing. At least one night, you can experience a glimpse of Thai food here.
Top Food Markets to Visit:
- Chatuchak Weekend Market (Bangkok): Boasting of being among the biggest markets in the world, Chatuchak is so famous for food that is worth a visit. As a food market, you can find BBQ meats and poultry here. You can also find fresh fruit juices and smoothies, all Thai-based.
- Tor Kor Market (Bangkok): This market attracted a reputation for selling fresh and quality products inclusive of seafood. It is a perfect destination to try the various specialties that the various part of Thailand has to offer.
- Chiang Mai Gate Market (Chiang Mai): Wander around the famous night market in Northern Thailand. This is a perfect place. It offers almost everything, including a great selection of street foods. Here you can sip Khanom Jeen (fermented rice noodles) or have Sai Krok Isan (Isan-style sausage).
It’s interesting to try many local specialties at once. That’s why visiting markets is possible during Thailand tours.
Sweet Treats: Exploring Thai Desserts
Namely, Thai desserts are not only as vast and as tasty as Thai appetizers and main courses. Thai desserts are largely based on the use of coconut milk. Tropical fruits are commonly used in Thai desserts. Thai desserts are an excellent way to end a Thai food serving.
Must-Try Thai Desserts:
- Khao Niew Ma Muang – A dessert of glutinous rice cooked with mango, coconut milk, and ripe mangoes. It is a combination of sweetness and richness that you do not often find in other foods that are out there.
- Khanom Buang – Thai crispy pancakes topped with sweetened coconut cream, shredded coconut, and scissors cut threads.
- Tub Tim Krob – They use crunchy water chestnuts and coconut milk to make a healthy Thai dessert with sweet soup.
From food markets to formal restaurants, Thai desserts bring a sweet ending to any of Thailand’s dishes.
Foodie Experiences: Cooking Classes and Food Tours
If you love food, you may want to be more active and involved in your food experience. Food tourism is best experienced in Thailand for this purpose. Consider participating in a cooking class or food tour to achieve this. These activities give the learners a glimpse into Thai spices, methods and on the Thai cuisine history.
Thai Cooking Classes:
Some of the areas include Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket. In these areas, there are different cooking schools. They can teach you how to prepare Thai dishes. Some popular schools include:
- Baipai Thai Cooking School (Bangkok): Try out tom yum and pad thai recipes and other Thai traditional foods in an exciting manner.
- Chiang Mai Thai Cookery School (Chiang Mai): In Chiang Mai, there are a number of cooking schools, as example one of the oldest – ‘Tamarind of Chiang Mai Cooking School’ where clients can attend classes to make meals and see the market.
Food Tours:
Food tours are ideal for people who have limited time for food preparation. Instead, they prefer to spend their time eating the food. They also show you local markets, culinary stands and other favorite spots that you would haven’t visited alone. A lot of Thailand tour packages offer food tours. This experience is one of the incredible things you cannot miss in Thailand.
Conclusion
In fact, it will not be an overstatement to say Thailand is the world’s food lover’s destination and the best place to visit. From the street food of Bangkok to the local restaurant food in Chiang Mai, Phuket and much more there is something everyone will enjoy. Learning more about Thai cuisine is an exciting process. It is also a discovery of the country’s customs and rituals. A Thailand tour package for food lovers, families, couple gateways and honeymoon, that is well-designed will keep you on course. This will ensure that you do not miss out on Thailand’s great foods. If you’re ready, let’s go on a culinary journey like no other to Thailand. You can explore our tour package.
