Thai Cuisine

Thai cuisine is among the most loved in the world, built on a vibrant balance of sweet, sour, salty, spicy and umami, with fragrant herbs, chillies, lime, lemongrass and fish sauce. From coconut curries and pad thai to fiery som tam papaya salad, tom yum soup and the beloved dessert of mango with sticky rice, it is fresh, bold and endlessly varied, and nowhere better or cheaper than at a street stall.

What you actually see

• The curries - the fragrant green, red and massaman coconut curries.
• Pad thai and noodles - the famous stir-fried noodles and street dishes.
• Som tam and tom yum - the fiery papaya salad and hot-sour soup.
• Mango sticky rice - the beloved coconut-and-mango dessert.

When to go

Year-round; some of the best and cheapest food is at street stalls and markets, busiest and freshest in the evenings. A cooking class and a market visit together are a wonderful way to get to know the cuisine.

Honest expectations

Thai food can be genuinely fiery, so specify your spice tolerance, though 'not spicy' is relative. Street food is a highlight and generally safe from busy, high-turnover stalls, but choose freshly cooked dishes. The food served to tourists is often milder and sweeter than the local version.

Nearby

Every region has its specialities, from the fiery north-east to the rich southern curries; Bangkok has it all.