Exploring the Many Types of Thai Food

Thailand, a frequent travel destination for Koreans, is famous for its irresistible food. Many people seek out Thai food in Korea because they cannot forget the dishes they tasted while traveling in Thailand. Thai cuisine is highly diverse. Representative Thai dishes include suki, tom yum goong, khao pad, and pad Thai. Suki is the Thai version of shabu-shabu. Various meats, vegetables, fish cakes, and other ingredients are briefly cooked in broth before being eaten. A popular dish in Thailand, suki is low in calories and has a light, mild flavor, making it a Thai favorite among Koreans.

Tom Yum Goong, Thailand's Signature Dish

Considered one of the world's three great soups, tom yum goong is characterized by spicy, sour, and sweet flavors. This signature Thai dish is flavored with various herbs and seasonings, including lemongrass, lime, and pak chi. Other ingredients are sometimes used instead of shrimp: a seafood version is called yam talay, while one made with chicken is called tom yum gai. Khao pad, a mild fried rice dish, is also familiar to Koreans. It is made by stir-frying various vegetables and meats, with numerous varieties depending on the ingredients used.

Pad Thai, a Perfect Match for Beer

Pad Thai is a Thai stir-fried noodle dish distinguished by the crunchy texture of bean sprouts. Various vegetables, eggs, and other ingredients are stir-fried together, creating many versions depending on what is added. With shrimp, it is called pad Thai goong; when it contains plenty of seafood, it is called pad Thai talay. It is famous for pairing well with beer, so many people enjoy the two together. Those looking to try Thai food in Korea can find it in Itaewon, an area where many foreign residents live.

[FamTimes reporter Jeong So-ra]