Thai cuisine is known for having an amazing, unique balance of sweet, sour, bitter, and salty flavors. Their dishes use aromatic herbs and is influenced by many cultures including India, China, and even Portugal. These different cultures have been incorporated into Thai cuisine for centuries – helping to create their famous, unique dishes.
Being a large farming country, the food of Thailand varies both regionally and seasonally. In the Isaan region, which consists of 20 provinces in the northeastern region of Thailand, there is an abundance of bitter herbs commonly paired with strongly flavored dipping sauces and sticky rice. In southern Thailand, they consume more sweet curries and seafood, typically paired with Jasmine rice.
The large Buddhist community also impacts the cuisine. Food is typically shared and almost always eaten with rice. And due to the Buddhist influence, food is eagerly shaded with other community members, as well as daily offerings to the monks. These meals are mostly eaten with some form of vegetable. There really isn’t a Thai meal without some form of vegetable, whether it is raw, stir-fried, pickled, or fermented – vegetables are a huge part of in Thai cuisine. It is not uncommon for raw vegetables to be served alongside highly seasoned meat, salads, and dips. This helps create a pleasing contrast. Along with the abundance of vegetables, Thai cuisine is also full of different types of fruit.
Fruit is typically eaten at the end of a meal. They are also enjoyed throughout the day and fresh tropical fruits are highly important and valued in Thai culture. They are mainly eaten fresh and whole, but many are also used to make drinks, sorbets, and are even fused into savory dishes.
When it comes to meat, Thais prefer smaller amounts of it, generally grilled or stewed. With the influence of China, meats are also often stir-fried or deep-fried. Chilies, which were brought by the Portuguese from South America, are abundantly used. And one tradition, mainly due to lack of refrigeration long ago, led to pickling, brining, and fermenting of a vast array of meats and vegetables so that they would be preserved. Several of these techniques and ingredients have changed very little to this day.
If you are interested in experiencing the unique flavor of Thai Cuisine, give Le Moose Crepe Café a visit. We are your local Thai restaurant located in Fremont, California. We have over 1000 reviews on Yelp and thousands of people visit us at the restaurant every month. We are excited and delighted for you to choose us for your next dinner out. Also, if you have any questions regarding catering, feel free to give us a call at (510) 745-7288. Hire Le Moose Crepe Cafe for your next special event, including grand openings, retirement and farewell parties, fundraisers and donation events, and company launches!