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If you're a foreigner in Thailand enjoying your first meal of the day at a Bangkok breakfast place that serves pancakes or continental meals, you're off to a good start. You're eating something familiar in the morning, which could help you get ready for the authentic Thai culinary experience. Thai food is known all over the world as delicious, but also not for everyone. However, unless you've tried it, you've never been.

Noodles

Photo by Vish V

If you tried making easy Pad Thai, you know that one of its primary ingredients is noodles, particularly flat dried rice noodles. And yes, there are several types used in many Thai dishes, from stir fries to salads.

●       Different noodles come in different shapes, sizes, and even flavours. You have the option to choose a specific type of noodle for certain noodle dishes.

●       Three of the five main types of noodles: Sen yai, sen lek and sen mee, are made from rice flour and vary in thickness. 

●       Their version of glass noodles (Wun sen) is made from mung beans and is also referred to as cellophane noodles or Chinese vermicelli. They're often used in many roast or curry dishes. 

●       Made from flour and egg, Ba Mee or egg noodles have that distinct yellow colour and may come in dried or fresh form. They're used in various soup and stir-fry dishes, such as Ba Mee Haeng and Kao Soi.

Five Flavours

Thai cuisine is not just sweet and savoury but is a perfect blend of sweet, sour, salty, spicy, and creamy.

●       The perfect balance of these flavour combinations creates that unique gastronomic experience. While not all dishes will have all five flavours, you are likely to experience at least two combinations in one dish. When eating authentic Thai green papaya salad (Som Tum), for example, you'll experience that sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavours all at the same time.

●       Different ingredients are used to achieve that contrasting yet harmonious flavour. Sweet can come from palm sugar or coconut milk, while salty can come from soy sauce or fermented shrimp taste.

Cooking Techniques

What makes Thai cuisine unique is the use of different cooking methods to create different delicious dishes.

●       Stir-frying is one of the more popular techniques used, which gives us one of Thailand's must-try dishes, Pad Thai.

●       Delicate items, like fish or dumplings, are often steamed to retain their delicate flavours.

●       You'll also find lots of grilled dishes, such as grilled pork skewers, and deep-fried favourites like chicken wings and spring rolls.

Spiciness

The spice levels in Thailand can be considered legendary. When you're asked how spicy you want your food to be, you should know that mild for you may not be the same “mild” for them.

●       Many Thai dishes are often hot and spicy, which is why many restaurants would always ask a foreigner their spice preference. What's mild for the locals is often super-hot for most visitors.

●       If you have a low heat tolerance, it's best to order dishes that are a little spicy and then adjust the heat as you eat.

Thai dishes can also vary by region and can originate from the North, Northeast, Southern and Central regions. Suffice it to say that your culinary journey in Thailand will be an exciting one. Start the right way with a delicious meal from The Deck.