Culinary tastes from all corners of the earth can be experienced in Pattaya and surrounding area in 100's of restaurants, ranging from fast food, to traditional Thai cuisine ranging from superb fresh seafood from inexpensive fisherman- style food stalls to exclusive 5 Star restaurants.
Thai cuisine is internationally acclaimed.
Whether chili-spicy or comparatively mild, the harmony in the composition is the base of every course. Thai cuisine is basically an evolution of centuries of adapting eastern and western influences which have merged to create a genre which is now accepted as being uniquely Thai. Different accents are applied depending on who cooks the food, for whom it is cooked and for which occasion it is created. The dishes can be refined and adapted to the respective palate. Thai cuisine reflects the culture of the country and it's people.
Large cuts of meat are avoided in Thai cooking however, with the introduction of western style menus larger pieces such as steak will often be cooked Thai-style. The Buddhist influence in the kitchen, is notable by the use of various herbs and spices, which are used to flavor small pieces of pork, chicken or beef. Chinese, Portuguese and French styles of cooking have been integrated since the 17th century, which shows in the use of the wok and spices usually associated with other countries and cultures. Japanese food is also very popular and many restaurants produce authentic dishes from this country.
Thai's cuisine is famous for the introduction of ingredients as substitutes for those found in other diets for instance; coconut oil instead of butter fat, hot spices, chilies, galant (a sort of ginger) which creates a brief warming sensation on the palate. This subsides rather quickly, in comparison to the fiery curries commonly found in India. Fresh native herbs and fruits are essential ingredients in the Thai kitchen.
A complete Thai menu should consist of soup,
followed by a curry dish including various dips e.g.
spicy, fish sauce based or mild. A well seasoned
salad can replace the curry course.
If you choose a hot (peppery) soup a mild curry dish
will follow, so not to disturb the harmony and
composition of the individually balanced menu.
