Rolling in
In recent years, sushi and Korean food have taken off around Thailand. The food trends were launched in Bangkok, then filtered out into more regional spots. But in true Thai fashion, they’ve made the Maki rolls their own by stuffing them with shrimp paste, and even the odd frankfurter (see below for more on that).
Global warming
Originally, Thai food shared the most synergy with Portuguese cuisine (a short-lived Portuguese presence there failed to convert locals to Christianity), giving it a lower spice profile. Then, as a byproduct of being on the trade route, chilli pepper found its way there by way of the Americas during the 16th and 17th century.
What came first: the spoon or the stick?
It’s more commonplace nowadays, but chopsticks were originally foreign to Thai people, who once ate with their hands. Later, the spoon was used to both cut food and scoop it up, before Chinese migrants introduced them to chopsticks. They also helped stir-frying, deep-frying, noodles and fried rice into the region.
German sausages
Thailand isn't known for its bugs in rugs but turns out, Thai people are big fans of Frankfurter sausages! You know, those parboiled, lightly smoked little German numbers? Chat Thai director Palisa Anderson says Thais have embraced the hot dog fillers wholeheartedly by sticking them in curries, stews, stir-fries, inside Thai-style creeps (image above) and adding them chopped to fried eggs with a squirt of sriracha.
Dining rituals
Eating alone is considered bad luck for many Thai people. Like in plenty of other cultures, eating a meal is thought to be celebratory and hence should be social, so it’s not uncommon to see large groups sitting down to a banquet.
Instant is best
Despite the Arabica bean being grown locally in the country's north by the Akha people, Nestle's Nescafe is still the preferred coffee for most locals. So deep is their love for instant coffee that it's a 20-billion-baht ($788.4M) industry over there.
Have we got your attention and your tastebuds? It’s Thai week on The Chefs' Line airing 6pm weeknights on SBS. Check out the program page for episode guides, cuisine lowdowns, recipes and more.
