Season 3 of The White Lotus is halfway through, and there already is a lot of built up suspense and tension amongst the customers of the famed hotel. Set in Thailand, we’ve already seen characters from this beloved HBO show visit Buddhist temples, release snakes from captivity, and engage in various mindfulness sessions at The White Lotus. Viewers can sense a gradual buildup to a tumultuous ending, yet nobody really knows what the second half of this season will bring.
Despite the muddy future of this season, one thing is clear: The White Lotus Season 3 is very much a celebration of Thailand and its culture. With some characters who speak Thai and others who participate in Thai cultural events, this season is giving viewers a sense of what Thailand and its islands are like.
While Thailand may be far and difficult to reach for some, viewers can bring the country to their home and experience a bit of what The White Lotus’ guests are going through: enter Thai food. Channel your inner White Lotus with these delicious Thai dishes.
Som Tum (Green Papaya Salad)
It’s the perfect starter dish. Som tum is a tangy, salty, and sweet salad composed of green papaya strips, tomato, peanuts, and Thai basil. Dressed in a spicy and acidic mixture that includes lime juice, fish sauce, birds eye chilis, and dried shrimp — this salad has a slight fishy taste that is contrasted by bright acid. The end result is a divine cold salad that is mouthwateringly sweet and spicy. Usually at Thai restaurants, you can adjust the spice level of papaya salad. Beware, the heat of this dish can be overwhelming if you’re not careful, so order more mildly than you usually would.
Yum Nua (Beef Salad)
The White Lotus Season 3 was primarily filmed at The Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui, a resort known for its good food. One of the hotel restaurant’s best dishes is yum nua, a salad made with grilled beef, celery, and lemongrass. The lemongrass brings a citric fragrance to the dish that is unique to Thai food: floral and lemon-adjacent, but quite frankly better than regular lemons.
Pad Thai Goong Mae Nam (Pad Thai with River Prawns)
Everyone who has ever tried Thai food is well aware of pad thai. Goong mae nam translates to “river prawn” — and this is the version of pad thai that judgey Southern mom Victoria Ratliff (Parker Posey) orders in this season’s second episode. This popular stir-fried rice noodle dish is sweet, acidic, and incredibly addictive. Topped with plump river prawns, it is a seafood lover’s dream.
Tom Kha Talay (Coconut & Fish Soup)
Tom kha talay is another White Lotus food ordered by Victoria Ratliff. A light and subtle soup made with coconut cream, halibut, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and more — it’s warming and refreshing all at once. One major ingredient in tom kha talay is galangal, which is part of the ginger family and looks almost identical to ginger. Yet where ginger tastes spicy and sweet, galangal is more citrusy and earthy, adding a bit of brightness to this soup.
Khao Niao Mamuang (Mango Sticky Rice)
Mango sticky rice is the ultimate Thai dessert, with some restaurants serving it in interesting forms such as a crepe or a Korean bingsoo. Yet, at its most traditional form, khao niao mamuang is Thai sweet sticky rice topped with a sweetened and thickened coconut milk, along with ripe and juicy mango. This dish is sweet, fragrant, and doesn’t feel overly indulgent. One bite will immediately take you to the tropical setting of Thailand and The White Lotus Resort.