Thailand is a land of contrasts. The bustling, chaotic, and fast paced metropolis of Bangkok often seems a million miles away from the peaceful, easy going countryside. Wealthy businessmen cruise around in luxury European cars alongside those risking their lives in the pollution and traffic on bike, and palatial, air conditioned shopping malls tower above street side flea markets. Thailand is indeed many different places to many different people, but there is something that all sides of the country share – a love of good, simple food.

Good food in Thailand is not a privilege of the elite. Ask anyone, rich or poor, where the best food can be found and you’ll always get the same answer – on the street.

In part one of this series on Thai street food, we’ll be looking at some of the most common stalls involving rice.

Khao Raad Geng – Rice with Curry

Thai Curry and Rice Stall by NeilsPhotography (Flickr)

Like all curries, those in Thailand taste better when they’ve been left bubbling for a while. Street vendors know this too well so the curry stall will have rows of cauldrons, each with a different variety of Thai curry. As they’re all cooked in advance, there’s no way they can tone down the spice for the delicate western mouths so prepare for a taste of really authentic Thai food!

A meal at one of these stalls is ordered by selected 1, 2 or 3 types of curry from the counter, which will be ladled onto a generous helping of Thai rice. These stalls are particularly convenient for visitors as food can be ordered almost entirely using the medium of mime! If the vendor’s smiling to herself while serving your curry, it probably means you’ve asked for something incredibly spicy!

Khao Man Gai/Khao Kaa Moo – Rice with Boiled Chicken/ Rice with Pork

Boiled Chicken with Rice Stall

Rice and meat. It seems so simple and unadventurous that most tourists ignore this national favourite and opt for something green or red instead. However, as with many things in life, sometimes the simplest things are also the best. The rice is steamed in a stock of the meat, and balance of flavours between the succulent meat, the spicy sauce and the soft, slightly meaty rice are near perfection when done well. People will travel for miles to get a good Khao Man Gai!

The ‘meat and rice’ stalls can be spotted by looking for carts with single large cauldrons of broth in the middle and whole, boiled chickens hanging in glass cabinets (hanging cooked pork for the pork variety). You’ll be able to hear the sound of rapid chopping as small pieces of meat are expertly sliced with an enormous cleaver.

The choice at these stalls is pretty simple. Boiled chicken, fried chicken, pork leg, or crispy pork set atop a mound of rice with a bowl of broth on the side. With the chicken you’ll get a chunk of boiled chicken blood as a tasty extra which you don’t have to eat, although I’ll promise you it is pretty good!

Although just a small selection of the variety of food on the streets of Thailand, I hope this article can help inspire confidence to seek out and try some of the food that fuels the soul of Thailand and it’s people. Good luck and happy eating!

Ahaarn Dtaam Sang – Food Made to Order

By oksidor (Flickr)

These stalls can be easily recognised by a large display of fresh meat, fish and vegetables on the front of the cart. There will be a skilled Thai chef working the wok and the constant clinking sound of utensil against pan. Look out for a periodic fireball shooting up from the stall as one of the popular ‘Fai Daeng’ (red fire) dishes are prepared for hungry customers. The dining experience is enhanced further if you can find a seat with a view of the wok; you’ll find out the Thai meaning of Fast Food!

If you’re eating here, I recommend the classic fried rice (Khao Pad) with pork (Moo), chicken (Gai) or shrimp (Goong). Ask for a scrambled egg to go on top and eat with a little chilli sauce and feshly squeezed lime. Another favourite is the devilishly spicy stir-fried pork with holy basil. If you’re in a group try eating banquet style (gap khao) and order Tom Yam Taley Nam Khon (Spicy Tom Yam Soup), Pad Pak Bung Fai Daeng (stir-fried ‘red fire’ morning glory) and Gai Pad Med Mamuang Him Mapaan (stir-fried chicken with cashew nuts).