Trying something for the first time gives butterflies in the stomach. You feel excited & nervous at the same time; however, when tasting a new food is a matter of concern, excitement takes over nervousness & you want to explore the cuisine at different restaurants.
No matter how excited you are, it’s still requisite to do the research beforehand so that your first Thai food experience doesn’t turn into a nightmare!
If you’re visiting Thailand for the first time ever, or trying out Thai food at your local restaurant first-time, following are the great-tasting, must-try Thai dishes that’ll be an exotic treat for your tongue & bring value for your money.
- Phad Thai
Let’s start with a basic Thai dish that’s popular worldwide. Yes, we’re talking about none other than “Pad Thai.” It is one of the country’s national dishes that’s a “go-to” for tourists who are exploring Thai cuisine for the first time.
Pad Thai is a fried noodle dish generally made with shrimp or chicken. However, there are vegetarian options available too. Moreover, it’s an inexpensive Thai dish that you can try on almost any local restaurant in the country. Need a hint? Thai Ginger restaurant is a great, cost-effective option. You can also order online for Thai food delivery in Bellevue, WA.
Other Thai Dishes to Try:
Swimming Rama (Wok-seared spinach topped with house-made peanut sauce), Rama Jay (Steamed mixed vegetables with creamy peanut sauce), & Spicy Eggplant (stir-fried in roasted chili sauce, bell peppers, and sweet basil) are some other must-try Thai dishes from the Thai Ginger menu.
2. Tom Yum
Soups are business in Thailand. They’re not served as a starter but as a part of the main meal. Thai soups are filling enough in themselves. However, if you’re hungry, order rice on the side.
A bowl of Tom Yum Goong, aka Tom Yum Kung (prawn), is the first you should try. This spicy shrimp soup is so appetizing in itself and is readily available at local restaurants. Visit any Thai Ginger outlet to enjoy this relaxing hot soup!
Other Thai Soups to Try:
If you’re a soup lover, Thai Ginger menu is extensive. You must try Tofu Soup at the restaurant with bean thread noodles, Napa cabbage, spinach, celery, onions and soft tofu in a clear broth.
3. Larb Gai
If you’re not sure whether Thai food is for you, start small – start with Salad!
Thai cuisine has a long list of salad, both light & appetizing. You can choose from fruit salad, egg salad, vegetable salad, chicken salad and more. The one I would recommend you to start with is Larb Gai. It is a traditional Thai salad with finely chopped chicken breast & served with lime dressing, red onion, green onion, cilantro, and mint.
Other Thai Salads to Try:
You can also check out Egg noodle salad called ‘Ba Mee Hang.’ It is prepared with steamed egg noodles along with garlic sauce, ground peanuts, bean sprouts, spinach, green onions, and cilantro.
In case you wish to stay on the lighter side, try out Som Tam (spicy green papaya salad), or order Thai Ginger Garden Salad from its Thai catering. It’s a seasonal mixture of green vegetables including cucumber, onion & tomato, served with ginger dressing. Get it at as low as $10 at Thai Ginger restaurant.
Thai Cuisine 