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Thai Recipes

45 recipes

Thai cooking is built on the balance of sour, salty, sweet, hot and bitter flavors, often in a single dish. Rice sits at the center of the meal, and everything else, from curries and stir-fries to salads and soups, is shared and eaten with it. Fresh aromatics such as lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaf, holy basil and coriander root give the food its scent, while fish sauce, shrimp paste, palm sugar, tamarind and lime supply the seasoning. Regions differ a lot. The central plains favor coconut milk curries and sweet-sour dishes. The north, around Chiang Mai, cooks milder, herb-forward curries, grilled sausages and chili dips eaten with sticky rice and raw vegetables. The northeast, known as Isan, is home to papaya salad, grilled meats, larb and sticky rice. The south cooks with turmeric, fresh chilies, coconut and seafood, and its curries are the hottest. Street food is part of daily life, and desserts often combine coconut milk, glutinous rice and tropical fruit.

Staple ingredients

Breakfast

Appetizers

Soups

Salads

Main Dishes

Side Dishes

Desserts

Snacks

Drinks

Sauces, Dips and Condiments

Common questions

What is Thai food known for?

A balance of sour, salty, sweet and hot flavors, fresh herbs and aromatics, and dishes such as pad thai, tom yum soup, green curry and papaya salad. Rice and fish sauce are at the center of most meals.

What is the national dish of Thailand?

There is no official one. Pad thai is the dish most often named abroad, while many Thai people would point to tom yum goong or a plate of rice with stir-fried basil and a fried egg.

Is Thai food always spicy?

No. Many dishes are mild, such as fried rice, chicken rice and coconut desserts. Chilies are often served on the side so each person can set their own heat, though northeastern and southern dishes can be very hot.