Stir Fried Wide Rice Noodles with Soy Sauce (Pad See Ew)

Thai Translation – Pad = Stir Fried, See Ew = Dark Soy Sauce

Pad See Ew is as popular as Pad Thai and is a very delicious noodle dish, often eaten for lunch. It can be made with any type of meat or vegetables. The key to the flavour is the use of dark soy sauce. This caramel-flavoured soy sauce can be found in most supermarkets or asian grocery stores.

Tom Yum Soup with Prawns

Thai Translation – Tom Yum= Sour Spicy Soup, Goong = Prawn

Sour, sweet and spicy are words that can be used to describe this unique and full-flavoured soup. Made with lemongrass, kaffir lime and galangal, this soup will heat you up and freshen your senses. The best thing about this soup is that it is really easy to make so it is a great introduction to Thai cooking.

Basil Clams (Hoi Lai Pad)

Thai Translation – Hoi Lai = Clam, Pad = stir fry

Basil clams are a healthy, tasty and always popular dish that are very easy to cook. This dish can be made as spicy or as mild depending on your own preference.. The sauce is particularly tasty when it is soaked up with some steamed rice or you could even serve with some fresh bread too. This dish can be cooked in under 10 minutes and very little preparation is required. You should cook the clams over a very hot heat and for not too long otherwise you will find they will become tough and chewy.

Fried Rice with Pork and Prawns (Kao Pad Goong Moo)

Thai Translation – Kao = Rice, Pad = Fried, Goong = Prawn, Moo = Pork

Fried rice is a staple dish in Thailand and is enjoyed at any time of the day. There are many variations of the dish – from meat only, to egg to herbs and spices. Fried rice is at its best when cooked over a very hot heat and with day-old rice. Newly cooked rice will be too moist and you may end up with a rice-pancake when cooking with this type. If you only have new rice to cook with, place it on a plate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before cooking.

Fish Cakes (Tod Mun Pla)

Thai Translation - Tod = Fried, Mun = Oil, Pla = Fish

Thai fish cakes are one of the most famous and well loved of thai dishes. The flavour is aromatic, light and very addictive. They are often served with a side of nam jim kai (sweet chilli sauce) and can be found sold by street vendors, in markets and restaurants all over Thailand. Depending on the region, ocean or river fish is used but the taste remains the same.

Fish with Thai Herbs (Pla Pad Cha)

Thai Translation: Pla = Fish, Pad = Stir Fry, Cha = Sizzle

This spicy and fragrant dish is one of my favourite dishes to eat and cook. It is one dish that is bound to impress even the pickiest of eaters. Made with fresh fish that is carefully stir-fried with a fantastic mix of galangal, green peppercorns, lemongrass and chilli. A touch of chilli paste, some eggplants and some rice make this dish just incredible to make, look at and of course eat!

Stir Fried Prawns with Snow Peas (Pad Thua Lin Tao Goong)

Thai Translation – Thua Lin Tao = Snow Peas, Pad = Stir Fry, Goong = Prawn

This is a fresh and very tasty dish that is cooked in a chinese-style. The influence of Chinese cooking on Thai cuisine is quite important and many different dishes are cooked in this way. The dishes are usually not as spicy as regular thai food and can be distinguished by the presence of a thicker sauce.

Needle Mushroom & Prawn Salad (Yum Hed Khem)

Thai Translation – Yum = Spicy Salad, Hed Khem = Needle Mushroom, Goong = Prawn

Spicy, sour and sweet, this Thai salad is a perfect example of the flavours of Thai salads. Made with needle mushrooms (also known as enoki mushrooms), limes, prawns and chilli, it is perfect for a summers day. You can make this salad without prawns or substitute the prawn for minced pork or chicken for a different flavour.