How well do you know Thai food?
Thai cooking is famous for balancing bold flavours. Six questions, from easy to hard.
Did you know?
- Tom yum was added to UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage in 2024. The recognition highlights the soup's link to Thai farming life, herbs and home cooking.
- Sticky rice is often eaten with the hands in northern and northeastern Thailand. It is rolled into small balls and used to scoop up food.
- Mango sticky rice, made with coconut milk, is one of Thailand's best-loved desserts. It is especially popular in the hot season, when mangoes are at their sweetest.
The art of balance
Thai cuisine is known for combining several strong flavours in one dish. A single plate may be sweet, sour, salty and spicy at once, with fresh herbs adding brightness. Rice is the centre of most meals, and many dishes are shared so diners can enjoy different flavours together.
Fresh herbs and aromatics
Lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, coriander and Thai basil give Thai dishes their fragrance. Curry pastes are traditionally pounded by hand in a stone mortar, releasing oils from the herbs and spices.
Regional cooking
Northern Thai food is milder and uses more herbs; northeastern Isan cooking is known for grilled meats, sticky rice and spicy salads; central Thailand favours coconut curries; and the south uses more turmeric and seafood. Travellers often discover dishes they never see at home.
Street food culture
Street food is part of daily life in Thailand. Vendors sell noodles, grilled skewers, soups and desserts from carts and small stalls. Bangkok's street food scene is so famous that some vendors have received recognition in international restaurant guides.
Thai food worldwide
Thai restaurants are popular around the world, and the Thai government has supported programmes to promote Thai cuisine abroad. Dishes such as green curry, pad thai and tom yum have become global favourites, often adjusted to local tastes for spice.
Eating Thai-style
In Thailand, many dishes are eaten with a spoon and fork: the fork pushes food onto the spoon, which goes to the mouth. Chopsticks are mainly used for noodle soups. A typical meal includes rice with several shared dishes, and diners take small portions at a time so they can enjoy the balance of flavours across the table.