You’re on your way to a Thai restaurant with your hip, new intern friends but the most adventurous thing you’ve eaten all year is pepperoni pizza. You take one look at the menu and almost pass out – you have zero idea what you are looking at. Here’s a guide that won’t leave you tongue Thai’d.
Spring Rolls
Photo by Jessica Chu
You can never go wrong with spring rolls. Order a couple of those to start and try out a few of the dipping sauces while you’re at it.
Pad Thai
Photo by Lizzie Snyder
Pad Thai is the first thing anyone will suggest to you for basic Thai food. I promise you will like this option. It is a stir-fried rice noodle dish and can be ordered with different protein options likes chicken, shrimp, beef, crab and more.
#SpoonTip: Feeling a little healthier? Check out this easy raw vegan pad Thai.
Tom Sum
Photo by Lizzie Snyder
For something refreshing and light, try a papaya salad also called tom som tum on some menus. It consists of shredded veggies and papaya with a great lime, sugar and chili dressing.
Yellow Curry
Photo by Kelda Baljon
Yellow curry is a good curry option to select from what is usually a long list on Thai menus. Yellow curry is generally milder and is yellow because of the use of turmeric (so trendy) and like Pad Thai you can usually opt to add a protein.
Chicken Satay
Photo by Lizzie Snyder
Chicken satay is another great staple in basic Thai food. Essentially chicken satay is grilled chicken on a stick. To give it some extra flavor, it is best served with peanut sauce.
Mango Sticky Rice
Photo by Lizzie Snyder
Last but not least, dessert. Thai dessert is great with its plentiful use of tropical fruits and flavors. My personal favorite Thai dessert is mango sticky rice. Fresh and sometimes slightly warmed mango slices are served on top of a plateful of rice cooked in sweetened, condensed coconut milk. Seriously you can’t not try this one.
And there you have it. Order that whole spread for yourself and a couple friends and no one will be disappointed (or left out).