How to eat like a local in Thailand

The phrase 'variety' best describes Thailand as a whole and in turn, such a thought more or less filters into the food culture of the country which is quite a highlight of any visit to the area. Therefore, if on vacation or contemplating an escape to Thailand in the future, do consider the option of eating out and exploring the delightful aromas and textures that encompass Thai food. For a closer perspective of how one should go about experiencing same, do continue to read on below.

Opt for variety on your plate

The last thing that you need to be doing whilst on holiday is confining yourself. Therefore, do not be content with merely 'scratching at the surface' when it comes to sampling food in Thailand. Regardless of the nature of the eatery; variety comes in all shapes, sizes and tastes and in turn, it would not be too hard to find a dish that satisfies one's tastebuds. Thus, whether you go for the Nam Tok which is a spicy salad comprising a choice of your favourite pork, chicken or beef together with sprinklings of shallots, lime juice and dried chillies or see yourself tucking into the creamy flavoursome Massaman Curry (Yellow Curry); the choices would keep coming back to you no matter where your focus shifts to on the menu.

Look past newer recipes

What is meant by this is that one must navigate the culinary waters of Thailand's food scene carefully and patiently. This is because ending up with a bad stomach after having eaten a novel variant of food will not allow you to better experience all that this fabulous land has in store for the intrepid traveller and foodie. If in doubt, even beginning at some of the restaurants in Koh Samui such as those found at Anantara Bophut Koh Samui Resort should this be your mode of accommodation, for example, will be a good way to learn of what varieties to go for from the point of view of a foreign national. Having access to local expertise will seem a worthy investment and a step in the right direction, long before you muster the courage to head out to join the lines of street food stalls that dominate leading cities in the country.

Set out at lunchtime

In this way, you will be able to follow locals such as students and business folk to their most sought after eateries in town. Likewise, such trips will entail one getting to know one's surroundings and in turn, will provide an opportunity to engage in some window shopping en route to finding something to munch on. Further, food outlets during this time of the day would afford the convenience of either selecting premade or made-to-order dishes and thus, will place you in prime position to choose from an endless supply of wholesome and exotic cuisine which is made with love for every eager visitor.

Be aware of your sources

Overall food hygiene and cooking methods must be considered with no ounce of compromise involved. This would apply to when one is out at a street food outlet. The benefit of witnessing the food you've ordered being made right before you will more or less settle whatever uneasy feeling that you may have especially if eating out is a novelty to you. Also, a good way to decide as to whether a certain outlet is the best pick for you is to act on intuition and if your foodie senses say "stay away!" then you rather move onto a separate part of a given city or region in Thailand. Once again, harping on the topic of variety, travellers like yourself will soon be confronted with a free-flow supply of dining facilities and street food outlets even if one doesn't quite fit your taste and appeal.