Thai Food Online

Originally from Bangkok chicken wrapped in pandan leaves is a popular starter in most Thai restaurants around the world. The pandan leaves give a vibrant aroma as well as keep the fried chicken juicy and moist inside. These are guaranteed to be a hit with your dinner guests as they taste as good as they look. Usually the pandan leaf is used to make desserts in Thailand, however here its fragrant smell combined with the bite sized fried chicken inside it make an ideal party hors-d'oeuvre. Pandan leaves are also used as a natural food colouring agent and as well as to make food fragrant, such as  pandan essence . The pandan plant is found growing all over Southeast Asia and is commonly used to flavour  Jasmine rice . For those who have never eaten this before, it can be quite a challenge to figure out whether the pandan leaves are actually meant to be eaten or not? The simple answer is no, as these wiry leaves will certainly not add anything to your palette!

Tom Kha Gai is a spicy coconut flavoured chicken soup, one that is popular with both Thais and people visiting the nation of Thailand. Tom Kah Gai is very similar to the Thai national dish of Tom Yum , and the process involved in preparing both dishes is almost identical. The major difference between the two is that Tom Kha adds coconut milk to the soup, making it creamier, and slightly sweeter. The spices and seasoning used to make Tom Ka Gai include onions , garlic , ginger , lemon grass , kaffir lime , coriander , lime juice, fish sauce , chillies and soy sauce . Most of these herbs and spices will be mixed together using a mortar and pestle to make a paste, only the lemon grass, onions and ginger will be added in larger pieces. Some Thai chefs will use a mixture of coconut milk (purchased in cartons) and coconut juice (fresh from the coconut) to make Tom Ka Gai. The reason for this is simply due to the exceptional flavour produced by using fresh coconut juice. However, us...

Tom Yum  can be considered the national dish of Thailand. It is eaten everywhere by every person, and is a firm favourite with tourists as well. Tom Yum is usually ordered with shrimp (Tom Yum Kung) but can also be made with other types of seafood, chicken, pork, or even tofu. The soup is thin, and has a hot and sour flavour. It is eaten with rice, and will often be accompanied by a variety of side dishes. One of the most popular side dishes ordered with Tom Yum Kung is Tod Num Kung (friend shrimp cakes), which are then dipped into the soup itself and eaten. Tom Yum shares almost all ingredients with Tom Kha, another popular Thai soup dish, although unlike  Tom Kha , Tom Yam does not have coconut milk added to the soup to thicken it and give it a creamier taste. Herbs and spices added to the broth include chilli, fish sauce, galangal, kaffir lime and lemon grass, and these each add to the distinctive Tom Yum flavour in their own way. The real trick to making...

A trip to the Khaosan Road in Bangkok will prove just how popular Pad Thai is with foreign visitors, and the reason for this is very simple. It is an entirely non-threating dish in every way, no chillies, no strong herbs or spices, just simple fresh ingredients, blended together with that classic Thai attention to flavour. No other dish is eaten more frequently by visitors to Thailand. Fortunately, for those who find themselves craving this classic take on fried noodles once they leave the Kingdom of Thailand, the dish is extremely easy to prepare, and all ingredients required should be easy to find anywhere in the world. Pad Thai is always eaten as a meal in its own right, with no extra side dishes, it is very filling, and no other food is required to turn it into a major meal. It is always served with a portion of fresh salad and a handful of fresh bamboo shoots. In many restaurants it will be served in a basket, which has been woven from a type of large turnip w...

We are re-designing our recipe pages. Have a preview of the first recipe to undergo a makeover! Thai Green Curry Recipe   Gaeng Khiao Wan Gai   or to give it an English name,   Green Curry with Chicken , is one of the most popular dishes in Thailand. Almost every visiting tourist will encounter Green Curry, as it is found on every restaurant menu in one form or another. Green Curry tends to be one of the more fiery curries cooked in Thailand, on par with   Red Curry (Gaeng Phed) , but not as spicy as   Wild Curry (Gaeng Pa) . The spiciness is derived from both the chilies used in the dish, and the   Green Curry Paste   which forms the basis of the preparation. Usually the curry paste will be purchased pre-made, although the paste itself will have been made fresh by the person selling it, and the overall taste of the curry depends very much on how this paste was made. A good curry paste makes a good curry; it’s as simple as that. The major diff...

Noodles With Thai Fish Curry Sauce ( Kanom Jeen Namya ) A dish most commonly known in the northeastern Isan region of Thailand,   noodles with Thai fish curry sauce style of food is traditionally served in large quantities for whole families. Variations can be seen in the way minced chicken is used instead of fish, or how some people prefer a vegetarian alternative with crunchy vegetables and alternative to fish sauce. A very versatile choice of food,   Kanom Jeen Nam Ya   is often served with a side dish of vegetables consisting of pickles sour mustard, bitter melon,   water spinach(morning glory)   and plenty of   green beans   and beansprout, which are mixed into the noodle and sauce to create a smooth yet crunchy combination of flavours. View Recipe...

Thai Yellow Curry A dish with a strong southern Thai influence originating from the large Muslim population that occupy the far southern islands of Thailand. With a rich texture and distinct aroma, the Thai yellow curry is a popular late afternoon or evening meal. Variations to the curry can differ from choice of ingredients as many of those who live near the beautiful sands of south Thailand prefer to place seafood in their curry. Green or red pepper as well as bamboo slices may also be placed into the curry for added texture.

Oliang Coffee Mix (454 g) by Pantai The unique Thai coffee drink known as "oliang" is a blend of coffee, sesame and corn served over ice. Oliang preparation is a unique process and you can see particular Thai coffee street vendors in Thailand doing it so fast you'd think they can do it with eyes shut. Thai Coffee Preparation: What You Need (in addition to the coffee). 1. One stainless muslin filter 2. Two small saucepans or extra-wide cups with handles 3. One container full of boiling water Step 1. Place 2 tablespoons of coffee in stainless muslin filter (filter is seen below in his left hand). Position the filter over saucepan or wide cup and pour about 10 oz boiling water through filter. Then lift the filter, let drain and quickly move filter so it's over another saucepan or wide cup. Step 2. Pour the liquid coffee back through filter and into saucepan. Then lift the filter, let drain and quickly move filter so it's over the other saucepan or wide c...

One of the secrets to Asian cooking outside of Asia is that the freshest, most authentic Japanese ingredients are used to make the best meals possible. Thai foods are known worldwide for their diversity of ingredients, complex flavor, delicate and intricate spiciness and fabulous fragrance. Many Thai and Japanese restaurants get business off the street on their food’s aroma alone. In cities such as New York, London and Frankfurt Asian food is incredibly popular and growing in demand. Weekend workshops in all major cities in the western world are available to those who want to learn to make the most popular Asian foods. What most of these workshops lack is high quality, authentic ingredients! Thai and Japanese foods, while distinctly different, do share many of the same fresh herbs, spices, fruits and vegetables that simply aren’t grown in the western world. To find ingredients isn’t easy. The international foods aisles in most supermarkets do have basics, but can’t possibly stock ...

What do we know about curry? Ask any foreigner of Western origin this question and the standard answer will be along the lines of: “It’s from India and it’s really spicy.” While the cuisine of Southeast Asia does lend a degree of inspiration from India, their adaptation of this globally popular dish is breath-taking and utterly mouth-watering. With coconut palms adorning just about every beach front and garden from north to south, the creamy juice of coconuts have become a great part of curry preparation here. When arriving for the first time in Thailand, the incredible selection of delicious curries can very much be the portal through which the unaccustomed palate can travel to the enjoyment of the rest of Thai cuisine ! So, what exactly does this mean? To be fair, while the menu of Southeast Asia is perhaps the most interesting, complex, fresh and colorful cuisine in the world, many people from abroad struggle with the unique and often pungent flavors typical of this food. The widesp...

If you’ve been to Asia, you will know that the Eastern culture and cuisine is rice-crazy. There is no meal in the day that is not in some way complimented with a rice serving, be it breakfast, lunch, dinner or dessert. This can make those untraveled of us wonder at just how interesting Asian cuisine can possibly be. Preliminary Internet-based searches of the kind of culinary experience we can expect from an adventure into the East don’t even touch on the sheer variety of rice types and preparation methods used in this beautiful destination. And so, this blog endeavors to take a brief journey in the white haze of the Eastern rice craze. First and foremost, each and every continent has its staple food. North America has corn, Russia has potatoes, South Africa has wheat and Asia has rice. Of course, with the sophistication and expansion of global trade, these definitions are becoming somewhat less distinct in the rest of the world, but in Asia and Thailand? Rice is most undeniably the st...

So you are familiar with typical Thai food such as noodles, green curry and rice dishes, but what about drinks? Non alcoholic Thai drinks within Thailand are refreshing and often sweet. The following provides some examples of what the locals typically drink throughout the day, with meals and in the evening to relax. Cold beverages Iced Tea, in Thai the name is 'Cha Yen'. The tea is made with red or black tea leaves. The leaves are boiled and then the mixture is sieved, leaving the leaves behind. To balance the flavours making it more refreshing to drink, additional ingredients are added such as tamarind, orange flavoured blossom water, star anise and sugar. Some Thais also like to add a food colorant to the tea to make it yellow or red. Ice is then added and sometimes part blended in. Lime Ice Tea. This is similar to the basic ice tea, however, fresh lime and often mint is also added. Iced coffee can be found everywhere from local street vendors to upmarket coffee shops. The c...

When strolling through Thai markets or supermarkets passing the fruit section, you may notice an unfamiliar somewhat pungent smell. This is the unusual aroma of Durian . Appearance: In its uncut form, it can be recognized by its brownish green thorn like tough skin. Once opened, the flesh is typically a pale yellow or cream colour, but some species of the 'King Fruits', as it is locally nicknamed, can be red or bright yellow. Taste and Texture: The fruit is often referred to as tasting like a creamy almond custard. Upon eating the fruit, you will notice that it is soft, smooth and has no juice. Many also like to eat it due to its nutritional value as it is high in protein and carbohydrates. Uses: Durian fruit can be eaten raw just like any other fruit. It is common in Thailand for it to be mixed with pumpkin and transformed into a paste. The paste is a dark brunt orange colour and is sold in tubes. It is then used as fillings for foods such as moon cakes, cakes and biscuits. W...

As craters are to the moon, so the delightful dish Som Tam is ubiquitous to northern Thai cuisine. Just about every street vendor, open air market and restaurant serves Som Tam and if they don’t, they can direct you to the nearest place that does, which is generally less than five minutes walk away, regardless of where in northern Thailand you are! Otherwise known to foreigners as ‘Papaya pok pok’ owing to the sound its preparation with a pestle and mortar makes, Som Tam is a delicious crunchy salad made from green beans, tomato, dried shrimp, garlic, fresh lime juice, Thai bird chilies , carrots, roasted peanuts and green (unripe) and julienne-style papaya fruit (paw paw). Owing to its incredibly popularity amongst the locals and foreigners alike, there are fresh food vendors dealing in Som Tam to be found in every single market-place, be it open-air or indoors; during the day or nighttime. Half the fun of enjoying Som Tam is watching its preparation! It’s appropriate nickname ‘Papa...

Welcome to all those wishing they were somewhere else! - Thailand is one of the most popular destinations for people in the UK and nearly everyone who has visited the land of smiles has been left with a very special connection with the Thai people and their culture. Returning from such a wonderful, amazing place can leave you feeling a little empty and disillusioned. But there is a quick fix. With the UK Thai festival season in full swing there are lots of opportunities to experience, once again, the wonderful foods, music and cultures of Thailand. With over 30,000 Thai Nationals living in the UK it is hardly surprising that there is a healthy Thai Events calendar and their popularity is growing year on year. To experience the Thai culture in the UK you simply need to know where to go and when. Taste of Thai is a website in the UK which has details of all of the Thai events in the UK as well as contact details for Thai consulates and some useful links to Thai resources. You can visit t...

Walking through a supermarket in Thailand you will notice there will literally be a full aisle with soy products . They range from dried beans and even milk. They all use the same product but they are prepared and used in different ways. Soy beans have been used in Asia for thousands of years and are actually an oil seed, not a pulse, which they are commonly mistaken for. The beans were once considered to be important in Asian countries such as China, Thailand and Korea as they were called sacred by farmers, who up until 1920 did not use the bean for food but rather for industrial purposes when growing other crops. One form in which soy beans are used and commonly sold throughout Thailand is oil. Soy oil can be found everywhere in the country in large and small supermarkets. The soy beans naturally contain 19% oil, which is extracted by first cracking them and rolling them flat so they take to a flake like form. After being blended and refined, the oil is ready. Leftover flakes are the...

Come dine with me – Celebrity Special After ordering her ingredients from Thai Food Online, Sam Fox serves up a tasty meal and proves that she is more than a pair of crackers! "I did change the face of page three and show that we have brains and personalities and we can do other stuff," says the glamorous glamour model, whose vocal talents have racked up 30 million albums worldwide. After a volatile week Sam is on a mission to unite the group, but it won't be easy with cougar Janice on the prowl. "Janice was really, really rude," says Jeff. "I wasn't," complains Janice, "I was being social." After decades in the biz, Sam knows no celebrity party is complete without… ping pong. "The table tennis was clearly what we lacked this week, it was like we were one big happy family," grins a happy Jeff. The loving vibe continues over dinner and Sam seems to have nailed the evening from her complimentary name tags (Foxy Sam, Calum the Bes...

Spicy and salad are generally two words which are not found in the same sentence. In Thai cooking, the nation’s spicy salad is called som tam, or sometimes som tum . It is derived from Laos to the north of Thailand from a dish called tam mak hoong or the Cambodian version is known as bok l’hong. The salad is made from the unripe core of a papaya using a special tool which takes three strips of the fruit at a time. The end result is spaghetti like noodles of papaya. Thai cuisine typically has four main tastes that are present in nearly all dishes. The heat comes from the chilli, the salty fish sauce, the juice of a lime and to counteract the flavours, palm sugar is also added. What is often served up as a side dish or as an accompaniment to noodles and vegetables, som tam gives a refreshing taste with the zing of some hot chillies. Added peanuts, crab (padaek) or dried shrimp are nearly always found in som tam, but in Isaan the crabs are usually raw, meaning the government tries to...

Traditional international desserts such as ice cream and cakes are sold and served throughout Thailand. Many however, have been given an Asian twist such as ice creams with durian, lime and coconut flavourings and cakes including sponge rolls or buns with pandanus and custard fillings. There are also those that are less known to the West such as Tako, which is made from coconut and has a jelly like texture. The puddings are set in small moulds, which are made from pandanus leaves that fragrance the puddings naturally and make them attractive in their appearance. One Thai dessert that can be found on most Thai menus is sticky rice with mango, which is named 'Khao niao mamuang' in Thai. The rice is cooked and mixed with coconut milk and often sweetened further with palm sugar or granulated sugar. Fresh slices are then added to the rice or placed to the side. Grass jelly, known as 'Chao Kuai' is an interesting looking desert due to it being black in colour. The black jell...

Thai Food Online has been recommended as the place to shop like a ‘Pro Vietnamese’ for fresh Asian ingredients in the popular BBC food magazine, Olive (July 2010 issue). We are pleased to be recommended as an online resource for authentic Asian ingredients yet again. This follows us being recommended by Rick Stein in his new book, Far Eastern Odyssey. Thai Food Online is the only online store where you can purchase such a wide range of fresh authentic Thai herbs, spices, vegetables and fruit .