5 Thai Dishes That Became A Cultural Phenomenon
And the restaurants guaranteed to make them in all their authentic, delicious glory
Why do you travel? We love to travel, but we all seem to have our own reasons: sometimes to shop, sometimes to sightsee, but if you travel to a country like Thailand, then we just know that food must be on the agenda. Thailand is a place for people who travel to eat. It’s one of the world’s most beloved culinary capitals, and yet it remains one of the most inexpensive places to visit. From fancy restaurants in the swanky parts of town, to the famous Bangkok street food scene—you'll find plenty of opportunities to go food tripping to sample Thai gastronomy.
Good, authentic Thai food has taken the world by storm—so much so that Thai Select was established. This is an official seal of approval given to Thai restaurants and Thai food producers all over the world by the Thai government, to encourage them to improve and perfect their craft. Of course, travel is not a option at the moment. but there’s no reason why you can’t satisfy your craving for good Thai food even as you wait till it’s safe to travel to Thailand once more. If you're yearning for good Thai food, let us share five classic Thai dishes from five of our favorite Manila-based Thai restaurants.
Taste of Thailand
Taste of Thailand
Khao Niew Mamuang at Mango Tree Cafe
Also called Mango Sticky Rice, this classic Thai dessert tastes best when all its elements are savored together: the refreshing taste of ripe mango, sweet glutinous rice, and lip-smacking coconut slurry that binds the flavors together. This glutinous rice dessert is a staple beloved in all over Thailand. In Manila, you can find this at Mango Tree Cafe, 7th Avenue corner 30th Street, Bonifacio High Street, Taguig. Visit @mangotreecafemanila on Facebook or Instagram
Photo Credit: @mangotreecafemanila
Tom Yum at Nara Thai Cuisine
Hot, sour and herby, Tom Yum is a filling soup served at practically all Thai feasts. Originally from Central Thailand, the broth blends lime leaves and lime juice, fish sauce, peppers, and galangal (a ginger-like root) with just a hint of lemongrass. Shrimp is Tom Yum’s resident protein, as there is an abundant supply of the delicious crustacean in the Chao Phraya River. Naturally, we recommend enjoying this classic dish at a restaurant that originated from Thailand itself. Nara Thai Cuisine was voted one of Bangkok’s Best Thai Restaurants, and has branched out to several countries across Asia. 3/F SM Megamall Fashion Hall, Mandaluyong, Metro Manila. Visit @narathaiph on Facebook or Instagram.
Photo Credit: @narathaiph
Gai Yang at Thai BBQ Original Restaurant
Gai Yang means “grilled chicken” in Thai, and is a cooking style from the Northeastern or Isan part of Thailand. It became popular as street food beloved by both locals and tourists. Gai Yang is not your standard grilled chicken as the meat is marinated in flavorful ingredients that make the dish distinctly Thai: fish sauce, cilantro, garlic, turmeric, lemongrass and chilies, among others. It is then grilled over a traditional charcoal grill. Since a trip to the colorful streetside food kiosks in Thailand is an agenda reserved for the future, we recommend Thai BBQ Original Restaurant which serves a mean Gai Yang. Georgetown BGC Food Hub and Georgetown Tiendesitas Food Hub.
Photo Credit: @thaibbq
Green Chicken Curry Siam Sukh Jai Thai Home Cooking
Beloved in Central Thailand, this dish is made with a paste of green chilies, fish sauce, ginger, lemongrass, coconut milk and pieces of chicken. It’s aromatic, soothing, complex on the palate, and looks very appealing. Siam Sukh Jai Thai Home Cooking serves an excellent Thai Green Chicken Curry. 2/L, S Maison, Marina Way, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City. Visit @siamsukhjai on Facebook
Photo Credit: @siamsukhjai
Pad Thai at Krung Thai Moo Ban
What’s not to love about Pad Thai? Another Thai street food classic, this dish has won us over with its signature flat noodles engulfed in tamarind-based sauce, crushed peanuts and the fresh sensation of crunchy bean sprouts. Pad Thai’s taste is matched by its origin story. It was invented in the 1930s by the Prime Minister of Thailand himself, Plaek “Phibun” Pibulsonggram, to promote an image of unity and nation-building. So it was literally created to be the national dish of Thailand. For really good Pad Thai, head to Krung Thai Moo Ban, a Marikina hotspot that's served Thai food for years. 76 Liwasang Kalayaan Street, Marikina City.
Photo Credit: @KrungThaiMooBaanMarikina
All restaurants mentioned in this article are now open for either dine in, takeout or delivery. For more information about Thai restaurants in the Philippines and in Thailand, follow the Tourism Authority of Thailand on INSTAGRAM @TATPhilippines, or download the Thai SELECT app on Google Play and the App Store.
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