Thai Cuisine

Thai cuisine is the national cuisine of Thailand. Thai cooking places emphasis on lightly prepared dishes with strong aromatic components and a spicy edge. Thai food was traditionally eaten with the hand while seated on mats or carpets on the floor or coffee table in upper middle class family ,

Today, however, most Thais eat with a fork and spoon. Tables and chairs were not introduced as part of a broader Westernization drive during the region of King Mongkut, RamaIV. The fork and spoon were introduced by King Chulalongkorn after  his return from a tour of Europe in 1897 CE.

Thai meals typically consist of rice with many complementary dishes shared by all. The dishes are all served at the same time, including the soups and it is also customary to provide more dishes than there are guests at the table.

A Thai family meal would normally consist of rice with several dishes which should from a harmonious contrast of flavors and textures as well as preparation methods.