What Comprises a Thai Meal?

Tidbits

These can be hors d’oeuvres, accompaniments, side dishes, or snacks. The include spring rolls, satay, puffed rice cakes with herbed toppings. They represent the playful and creative nature of the Thais.

Salads

Harmony of tastes and herbal flavors are essential. Major tastes are sour, sweet and salty. Spiciness comes in different degrees according to meat textures and occasions.

General Fare

A sweet-and-sour dish, a fluffy omelet, a stir-fried dish help make a meal more complete.

Dips

Dips entail some complexity. They can be the major dish of a meal with accompaniments of vegetables and some meats. When dips are made thinly, they can be uses as salad dressings. A particularly popular and simple dip is made from chillies, garlic, dried shrimps, lime juice, fish sauce, sugar and shrimp paste.

Soups

A good meal for an average person may consist simply of a soup and rice. Traditional Thai soups are unique because they embody more flavors and textures than can be found in other types of food.

Curries

Most non-Thai curries consist of powdered or ground dried spices, whereas the major ingredients of Thai curries are fresh herbs. A simple Thai curry paste consists of dried chillies, shallots and shrimp paste. More complex curries include garlic, galanga, coriander roots, lemon grass, kaffir lime peel and peppercorns.

Singles Dishes

Complete meal in themselves, they include rice and noodle dishes such as Khao Phat and Phat Thai.

Desserts

No good meal is complete without a Thai dessert. Uniformly sweet, they are particularly welcome after a strongly spiced and herbed meal.

AsiaFood, a resource of the Asia Society, presents Team Thailand's findings and useful information on Thai foods, spices, and recipes. Explore this resource and enjoy the unique tastes of Thailand.