02 January 2011

Thailand: Food heaven!!!


Happy new year to you all! I have a feeling that 2011 is going to be a wonderful year. 2010 certainly was for me - between getting married, taking up a new job, travelling lots and of course starting this blog and getting to know so many wonderful people through it - it couldn't have been better! And our trip to Thailand was the perfect ending. In terms of food, talk about heaven! From exotic fruits to spicy curries to fresh juices to incredible street food on every corner, Thailand was a feast for the senses! Here are a few photos of our culinary discoveries there...enjoy!

Whether in nice restaurants or little hole in the wall joints, we had some amazing meals! Much like Indian cuisine, Thai food is known for emphasizing fresh ingredients and balance between the five taste senses in each dish or in the overall meal, thus combining hot (spicy), sour, sweet, salty and occasionally bitter tastes. The different regions of the country have their own distinctive cooking styles, heavily influenced by neighboring countries (Myanmar, the Yunnan Province of China, Laos, Cambodia and Malaysia). There is also what is commonly known as "Thai Royal Cuisine," which was developed during the time of the Ayutthaya Kingdom (1351-1767 CE) and favored refinement and innovative cooking techniques. All of this history makes for an incredible contemporary Thai cuisine!

Som tam (green papaya salad) - we had this at every meal!

Battered and fried radishes - delicious!


Phad thai, considered to be the national dish

Penang curry
The selection of fresh fruits and vegetables available everywhere was equally amazing. Mangoes, rambutan, papaya, pineapple, kaffir lime leaves, galangal, guavas, lychees, chillies, mangosteens, lemongrass, coconut, dragon fruit...all as far as the eye could see...

Fruit for sale at the Phuket Carnival

Garlic chives, bean sprouts & an unidentified vegetable

Fresh coconuts are a source for all kinds of goodies!

Pungent Thai red chillies...so good!

Fresh dragon fruit


In terms of drinks, we loved everything from the local beers (Singha and Chang) to the yummy fruit shakes, which are basically fresh fruit blended with ice and (mineral) water. So refreshing in the hot Thai weather!


Fresh coconut shake

Fresh mango shake
But like many people, I think that the thing that I loved the most about Thailand is the amazing street food culture. From elaborate preparations to simple snacks to some delicacies that we didn't dare try (e.g. fried insects!), you can buy just about anything that your heart desires on the streets of Bangkok and other Thai cities. And unlike in some countries, the street food in Thailand is generally clean and safe to eat.

  





So with that my dear friends, I wish you all a wonderful new year filled with lots of delicious and spicy cooking and eating. If 2011 presents you with the possibility of going to wonderful Thailand, then by all means do. You won't regret it! 

10 comments:

  1. you are killing me with these thai posts!!! everything looks exceptional! i bet it wasfood heaven, everything looks so fresh, vibrant, and flavorful! love it. Glad you had an amazing time there and Happy New Year!!!

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  2. It looks like heaven to me!!!

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  3. Wow great, nice photos. really good i'm sure u guys enjoy in thailand:) u give right name thailand is heaven.

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  4. Happy new year! I am a HUGE fan of Thailand, and their food. I haven't been there yet, but thank you for sharing your experiences!

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  5. I especially love the dragon fruit, it looks so beautiful! Looks like a bright pink flower. Hope it tastes as good as it looks.

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  6. Mmmm..the sights and colors of thailand are beckoning me to just run away from work and head to thailand this minute.

    I love som tam...but been agaes since I had one. which reminds me...

    That dragon fruit's color is just unreal!

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  7. oh i loooooved the thai green papaya salad and all the finger foods people sell at the night market.
    hi from indonesia

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  8. Those look very delicious. I especially love the street foods of Thailand. It is always a wonderful experience trying them out.

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  9. That looks delicious. I am sure the food here will be more preferable than the food served in the airlines during flights!

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