Thai restaurants are widespread across the UK, although there is a lot of variety in the kinds of food on offer. Indeed, it can be hit or miss as to what is authentic when you order the cuisine here.

In Thailand, though, almost every restaurant and street stall in the land serves up top-quality gastronomy. If you want to experience the amazing food first-hand, you need to visit the Land of Smiles.

You May Have Some Idea of Thailand Already

People living in the UK may have some idea about Thai culture already. It’s clear that there’s widespread interest in it, as the online bingo at Paddy Power features the Thai-themed slot game, Thai Flower. With the bingo industry booming in the country, it’s a great indication of what people are interested in. Numerous Thai-set movies like Bangkok Dangerous and Ong-Bak: The Thai Warrior have been popular in the West as well.

A lot of people have at least some idea about the cuisine of the Southeast Asian country. Some restaurant chains aim to serve authentic dishes, with Zaap Thai a prime example of this. The street food restaurant now has six locations across the north of England, and it is continuing to expand. Despite the pledge to recreate Thai dishes, there are some differences between the plates on offer and those found in Thailand. This is because a few key ingredients are harder to come by in the UK.

Different Regions Have Their Own Specialities

If you visit Thailand on a culinary adventure, you’re going to want to visit a few key locations to experience the different specialities. Chaing Mai is considered by many to be the culinary capital, and it’s famous for dishes like Khao Soi and Gaeng Hang Lay. The former is a curry noodle soup, while the latter is a vibrant ginger-infused pork curry.

The sprawling Isan region is known for having some of the best cuisine in Thailand. One of the most beloved dishes from the northeastern region is Som Tam, a spicy papaya salad that’s considered a daily staple among many Thais. This is often accompanied by grilled chicken with a spicy dipping sauce. There are countless Isan restaurants and street stalls throughout Bangkok, so you can experience the food easily in the capital.

You’ll notice a huge difference in the food if you venture down to the southern parts of Thailand, such as Hat Yai. The city is known for its fried chicken, which comes with fried garlic and a sweet chilli sauce. According to a piece in Penang Foodie, Hat Yai is also a great place to find top-quality boat noodles and Pad Thai. Make sure you try some mango and sticky rice while you’re there too, which is best towards the end of the hot season in April and May.

Thailand is home to a wide range of mouthwatering dishes, and you need to visit the country to try them all. Try to venture to the different key regions to try the eclectic range of cuisine on offer.