In the coming months I’d like to compile a list of Top 10 Favourite Thai Dishes, as suggested by knowledgeable food enthusiasts (that means you!) rather than just anyone.
Please let me know the name of the dish – and maybe why you like it so much.
There are plenty of lists that identify the most popular Thai dishes, the most well-known being the survey in 2000 that was conducted by Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This survey questioned 1,000 Thai restaurants around the world in order to get definitive answers. Here it is (please note, the transliteration of Thai words into English is theirs, not mine):
- Tom Yam Kung (Spicy Shrimp Soup) 99%
- Kaeng Khiao Wan (Green Chicken Curry) 85%
- Phat Thai (Fried Noodles in the Thai Style) 70%
- Phat Kraphrao (Meat Fried with Sweet Basil) 52%
- Kaeng Phet Pet Yang (Roast Duck Curry) 50%
- Tom Kha Kai (Chicken in Coconut Soup) 47%
- Yam Nua (Spicy Beef Salad) 45%
- Mu or Kai Sate (Roast Pork or Chicken Coated with Turmeric) 43%
- Kai Phat Met Mamuang Himmaphan (Stir-Fried Chicken with Cashew Nuts) 42% (shown above)
- Phanaeng (Meat in Coconut Cream) 39%
Of course, the problem with asking average diners is that you’ll get average answers. For example, if you ask random Americans for their chosen Number One food, the reply would be something they eat most often – like hamburger. The same is true of the English (fish and chips), and Italians (spaghetti), and just about everyone else.
But if you really know about food, you’d reply with a more specific answer. Instead of Green Chicken Curry (sorry, I never normally say Green Chicken Curry – whoever heard of green chickens??) you’d specify something like Green Curry with Chicken and Thai Aubergine, which, incidentally, you’ll find in my e-book Thai Basil Secrets.
I wonder, will there be any votes for Banana Blossom with Mixed Seafood Salad (Thai Starter Secrets) or the delicious Southern Rice Salad (Jasmine Rice Secrets)?
I’ll collate the results when enough people have posted answers.
I hate to be unoriginal, but I still like the dish you illustrate – Stir-Fried Chicken with Cashew Nuts. It never fails.
— Greg Orlov · Jan 21, 02:47 PM · #
I think my favourite Thai dish are the little soured sausages that you get on the streets of Bangkok, two to a stick.
After that Som Tam, assuming I’ve got the name of the green papaya salad right. I would take that with prawns, as interesting as those fermented crabs are.
— Joshua · Jan 21, 02:58 PM · #
Too many to write!
Yum Talay – light and refreshing
Mixed Isaan sausages (sour/spicy/fragrant) with appropriate accompaniments (pork rinds, raw and steamed veg, pork and chili dip, green chili dip)
Grilled chicken with sticky rice and som tam
A kantoke dinner tray
Thai crab omelette
Deep fried flowers (as found at Ruen Malika in Bangkok)
Tom Yum nuts (we love them!)
Laab Gai
Morning glory with chili and garlic
And that’s just for starters!! Love Thai food!
— Ann / @applelisafood · Jan 21, 07:35 PM · #
Green papaya salad (Som Tum) is my favourite Thai dish.
Love it!
— Ute@hungryinlondon · Jan 26, 02:53 PM · #
It’s tough but these are my favourites that I like to eat and cook.
1: Neue Nahm Toke issei style with Khoa Niaw
I love the flavours of this dish the heat, and the combination with the mint is superb when I’m in Buriram I could eat it everyday.
2 kow man Ghai a simple dish but if done right then it’s amazing I like to eat this for breakfast when I’m in Thailand and always go back for seconds. The broth on the side makes this dish.
3: Isaan Sausage the spicy version not the soured great as a side dish with a meal, Its one thing I miss not easy to get here love the flavours of lemon grass chilli perfect.
4 Laap pet my brother in law used to make this for me in Buriram like Nahm Tok the flavours are superb spicy sour fresh with the deep flavour of the ground duck it’s always a welcome dish
— Jools Cyprien · Jan 26, 04:44 PM · #
Maybe out of subject:
I am looking for a good recipe for Peek Gai Yad Sai(?)/stuffed chicken wings, with a good illustrated description about how to prepare the wings itself.
— Peter Terlingen · Feb 8, 08:23 AM · #