Thai Food & Culture

What to Order When You Want Local Thai Flavours

Tourists often stick to dishes they know. Here is a short guide to the local Thai flavours worth stepping into.

The Crab House Team·
What to Order When You Want Local Thai Flavours – The Crab House Blog

Beyond the Familiar

Pad Thai and fried rice are excellent dishes, but if you want to taste what Thai people actually eat day-to-day, it is worth exploring slightly further. Here are some local favourites that are very accessible for international visitors.

Dishes Locals Love

Som Tam — Green Papaya Salad

Shredded green papaya with chili, lime, fish sauce, tomato and dried shrimp. It is crunchy, sour, salty and spicy all at once. One of the most popular street foods in all of Thailand. Ask for mild if you are spice-cautious.

Tom Yum Goong

The hot and sour prawn soup that defines Thai comfort food. Fragrant with galangal, lemongrass and kaffir lime — deeply warming and complex. Ask for the clear version (without coconut milk) for the purest flavour.

Khao Pad — Thai Fried Rice

More savoury and less sweet than Chinese fried rice, Thai fried rice with egg and spring onion is one of the most satisfying simple dishes available anywhere.

Exploring the Menu

Our full menu includes a range of classic Thai dishes alongside seafood. If you want a recommendation on what feels most local that day, ask the kitchen — we are always happy to suggest.

See our Thai Food & Culture section for more guides. Book your table.

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