Secret Thailand > Thai Food & Culture
Thai cuisine is known for its intricate balancing act of the five fundamental flavors - hot, sour, sweet, salty, and bitter. Thai food tends to be full of fresh herbs, spices, chilis, and a wonderful array of fruits and vegetables. Coconut milk plays a major part in a multitude of Thai curries, and the aromatic flavors of lemongrass, chili, lime, and galangal permeate the cuisine.
Thai food is also well known for its liberal use of seafood-based products - it practically defines many Thai dishes. Recipes, techinques, and ingredients vary slightly from one geographic region of the country to another. Chiang Mai and the mountainous north enjoy Burmese and Shan influences, while Northeastern Thailand (Isan) takes its cues from Lao cuisine and the Mekong River.
Southern Thai food relies heavily on seafood, blending flavors that have traveled up the Malay peninsula from Indonesia and Malaysia with those of the Indian and Muslim traders of old to create a unique take on Thai - evident in dishes like Massaman Curry. "Bangkok Thai" or Central Thai cuisine is the one most are familiar with, combining elements from all of the country's regional tastes with royal Thai cuisine.
Thailand Food & Culture
Thai cuisine is known for its intricate balancing act of the five fundamental flavors - hot, sour, sweet, salty, and bitter. Thai food tends to be full of fresh herbs, spices, chilis, and a wonderful array of fruits and vegetables. Coconut milk plays a major part in a multitude of Thai curries, and the aromatic flavors of lemongrass, chili, lime, and galangal permeate the cuisine.
Thai food is also well known for its liberal use of seafood-based products - it practically defines many Thai dishes. Recipes, techinques, and ingredients vary slightly from one geographic region of the country to another. Chiang Mai and the mountainous north enjoy Burmese and Shan influences, while Northeastern Thailand (Isan) takes its cues from Lao cuisine and the Mekong River.
Southern Thai food relies heavily on seafood, blending flavors that have traveled up the Malay peninsula from Indonesia and Malaysia with those of the Indian and Muslim traders of old to create a unique take on Thai - evident in dishes like Massaman Curry. "Bangkok Thai" or Central Thai cuisine is the one most are familiar with, combining elements from all of the country's regional tastes with royal Thai cuisine.
