What Distinguishes Thai Cuisine in Flavor Complexity?

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SUMMARY

The forum discussion centers on the complexity of flavors in Thai cuisine, highlighting its mastery of sweet, spicy, sour, and salty elements. Participants unanimously agree that Thai food stands out among global cuisines, with many expressing a preference for authentic Thai dishes over American adaptations. The conversation also touches on the distinctiveness of other ethnic foods, such as Mexican, Italian, and Indonesian, emphasizing the importance of authenticity in experiencing true culinary diversity. Overall, the consensus is that while many cuisines offer unique flavors, Thai food remains unparalleled in its variety and depth.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of flavor profiles: sweet, spicy, sour, and salty
  • Familiarity with various global cuisines, including Thai, Mexican, and Italian
  • Knowledge of culinary authenticity and its impact on food experience
  • Awareness of regional variations in ethnic foods
NEXT STEPS
  • Explore authentic Thai cooking techniques and recipes
  • Research the differences between American and authentic Mexican cuisine
  • Investigate the flavor profiles of Indonesian dishes
  • Learn about the cultural significance of food in various countries
USEFUL FOR

Culinary enthusiasts, chefs, food critics, and anyone interested in exploring the depth of flavor and authenticity in global cuisines.

Which type of food is the best?

  • Italian

    Votes: 6 11.3%

  • Thai

    Votes: 6 11.3%

  • Greek

    Votes: 2 3.8%

  • Mexican

    Votes: 6 11.3%

  • Chinese

    Votes: 8 15.1%

  • Japanese

    Votes: 1 1.9%

  • American

    Votes: 2 3.8%

  • French

    Votes: 2 3.8%

  • Spanish

    Votes: 1 1.9%

  • Indian

    Votes: 10 18.9%

  • Polish

    Votes: 1 1.9%

  • Vietnamese

    Votes: 1 1.9%

  • Other (post it)

    Votes: 7 13.2%
  • Total voters
    53
  • #31
I can't vote... this thread just makes me hungry (or hungrier) for everything! I'd even go for the haggis right now. I haven't had a good haggis since I visited Scotland. :biggrin:
 
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  • #32
Vietnamese for me, I also really like Thai, Lebanese and Indian food. Tonight I'm going to a Korean restaurant, I looove their pickled vegetables.
 
  • #33
jimmysnyder said:
I like all kinds of food, so I can't pick a favorite. As my wife is Chinese, and we travel a lot, I end up eating in Chinatowns in several countries. Even the food in Chinatown, San Francisco is different from what you can get in Chinatown, Philadelphia. Beside the different histories and local tastes, there is also the problem of getting ingredients. One place I went to that didn't have a Chinatown was my wife's hometown,Taipei. I asked around for a Chinese restaurant, but everyone just stared at me as if I was an alien. Like Twain, I had a difficult time getting these people to understand their own language. We ate at the local restaurants, but we couldn't get any Chinese food. No moo-goo gai pan, no chop suey, no fortune cookies. I bet a lot of them never picked up a fork and ate fried rice.

hmmm... yeah Chinatown in Taipei? that sounds ridiculous... since Taiwan is pretty much "like" China (alright, I'm not going to go into the political aspect of this issue), and the food you eat there are very similar to Chinese food (if not considered part of Chinese food). It's pretty much like asking where is Chinatown and where are the Chinese restaurants in China. Also, fortune cookies do not exist in China... I have never seen a fortune cookie in my life until I came to America.

hehe, I can imagine how everybody was staring at you...since there probably just weren't that many foreigners around and that actually seeing one is quite a sight... I remember when I was a kid (in China), I saw an African person walking around the block... I was just amazed by how different he looked and couldn't take my eyes off him. I don't think I have seen another one until I came to US.
 
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  • #34
mmm I like filipino food. Chicken adobo and lumpia never fails. Chinese food is good too, but I like the fast food type (orange chicken).
 
  • #35
Mexican food, but I am biased...

I love Japanese too.
 
  • #36
Indian, but English Indian, preferably from a northern city. The Europeans just don't seem able to do improper Indian food properly.
 
  • #37
mgb_phys said:
Chicken Tika Masala - classic English dish.
You are kidding right? :wink:

Chicken tikka masala is an Indian dish brought to UK by Indians. "Masala" is a Hindi word for spice.
 
  • #38
Reshma said:
You are kidding right? :wink:

Chicken tikka masala is an Indian dish brought to UK by Indians. "Masala" is a Hindi word for spice.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicken_tikka_masala#Origins
The origins of chicken tikka masala are disputed. A widely reported explanation of the origins of the dish is that it was conceived in a British Bangladeshi[1][3] restaurant at Glasgow in the late 1960s, when a customer, who found the traditional chicken tikka too dry, asked for some gravy.[2] The chef supposedly improvised a sauce from tomato soup, yogurt and spices.[1]

At least one source contends that the dish originated in Delhi in 1947.[4][5]
 
  • #39
lisab said:
At this point in our poll, Italian food is winning. But keep in mind that for our Italian members, Italian food isn't called ethnic food -- it's just called "food."

This is true of every item on the list.

What about poutine?
 
  • #40
George Jones said:
What about poutine?

I'm having keema mutter with roti for supper, but I still can't decide how to vote.
 
  • #42
I'm a big fan of Portuguese food.
Mexican comes in a close second along with Japanese and Korean.
 
  • #43
It was a close call between Greek and American for me, but I went with Greek because it's more of a treat.
 
  • #45
This was tough because San Diego is right smack dab next to Mexico, so we get a plethora of Mex food here. But at the same time I'm Indian so my love for Indian food knows no bounds. I voted Indian as a result, but I have to say, it's a 3 way tie between it and Mex and Thai.

Love all 3.

Italian comes 2nd, Greek - 3rd.
 
  • #46
I haven't had enough Greek food to vote fairly, but when I was in college, freshman were required to live in dorms. My roommate was the son of a Greek fisherman ported out of southern Maine and when I went home with him for a weekend, his father took over chef-duties cooking the entrees for both evening meals. Other family members made parts of the meals, but he made the main courses. For years afterward, I kept trying calamari in various restaurants hoping that it would be as good as his. Nope. I don't know his secret, either. The salads and side dishes were wonderful, too. No wonder Tom came to school a little on the pudgy side.
 
  • #47
I had a wonderful salad (best ever) when I was in France: delicate dressing over garden fresh vegetables, balanced with various cheeses and cured meats. If I knew the specific ingredients, I wouldn't be typing this, I'd be a millionaire in the French Mistral region.
 
  • #48
would have voted indian but i am indian so technically not ethnic for me but voted mexican as you can't beat it!
 
  • #49
Colombian. Love the potato soups...
 
  • #50
wildman said:
Colombian. Love the potato soups...

Wow, I have never heard of this. Looked it up, is this about what you're thinking...

http://chefmom.sheknows.com/recipebox/recipes/167.htm

That looks great!

I'll wait for the temps to drop below 80F to make this...a bit too hot for soup now :sweat: (there's no sweat smilie but you get the point :smile:).
 
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  • #51
Wow I'm surprised the Spaniards get such little respect. They make some of the best wines, olive oils, and meats in the world.
 
  • #52
gravenewworld said:
Wow I'm surprised the Spaniards get such little respect. They make some of the best wines, olive oils, and meats in the world.
Spain may have the most beautiful land in Europe. I just love their gazpacho - right on for the climate.
 
  • #53
West Indian is my favourite: jerk chicken, goat curry, doubles, philorie balls, salt fish, on and on
 
  • #54
gravenewworld said:
Wow I'm surprised the Spaniards get such little respect. They make some of the best wines, olive oils, and meats in the world.

Well, they got my vote. Paella! :!) Along with the Italians and the Greeks they make the best food in my opinion. (But Greek wines are horrible!)

I'm surprised the Chinese are way up there - tastes all the same to me.

And Mexican? All this stuff consists of is beans, rice, cheese, and tortillas. Add more beans. And then there is "Menudo." :bugeye:
 

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