Food & Dining
One of the best things about moving to Thailand is having the opportunity to try and enjoy the delicious Thai food. It is always prepared with fresh ingredients such as vegetables, herbs and spices and of course, lots of chilies! New aromas tempt your appetite as you pass the many open air restaurants and food stalls. You will quickly discover that Thai cuisine is in a class of its own.
The wonderful thing about Thai food is that you can get it just about anywhere. You can dine in a fine restaurant or catch a quick bite from a street vendor. Try to remember the Thai names of some favourite dishes, so you can order them in places that don’t provide an English menu. Those of you who have a chance to travel within Thailand will see that each region has a distinctive way of preparing food.
If you are interested in Thai cooking, several hotels offer Thai cooking classes. In this section we briefly explain the origins of Thai food and give you some helpful hints, such as the necessary equipment for a Thai kitchen. You will also find a list of favorite Thai dishes, tips on hygiene in cooking and an extensive list of Thai and other restaurants. Many Thai dishes are suitable for vegetarians as well.
THAI DISHES
Soups
Kaeng jeut mild soup with vegetables and pork
Khao tom plaa/kai/kung rice soup with fish/chicken/shrimp
Tom khaa kai coconut cream soup with chicken
Tom yam kung/kai sour & spicy soup with prawns/chicken
Noodles
Kuai tiao haeng rice noodles with gravy (no broth)
Kuai tiao sen lek/yai rice-noodles thin/large
Kuai tiao nam rice-noodle soup with meat & vegetables
Phat sii yiw fried thin noodles with soy sauce
Phat Thai thin rice noodles fried with tofu, eggs & peanuts
Sen jan phat kung stir-fried thin rice noodles with prawns
Rice Dishes
Khao kaeng curry over rice
Khao man kai boned, sliced chicken with marinated rice
Khao niao sticky (glutinous) rice
Khao pat muu/kai/kung/puu fried rice with pork/chicken/shrimp/crab
Curry Dishes
Kaeng kai naw mai chicken with bamboo shoots
Kaeng ka-ri kai mild Indian curry with chicken
Kaeng ka-ri kung curried prawns
Kaeng khiaw-waan plaa/ green sweet curry with fish/chicken/beef
kai/neua
Other Dishes
Khanom pang na muu fried toast canapés with pork
Phat muu phriao-waan sweet and sour pork
Si-khrong muu yang barbecued spareribs
Phat ka-phrao kai/moo spicy chicken/pork with basil leaves
Muu/kai sate pork/chicken saté
Pohpiaw thot spring rolls
Phat kai kap met mamuang stir-fried chicken with cashew nuts
himaphan
Kai yang barbecued chicken
Spicy Salad
Yam thua puu spicy winged bean salad with pork
Yam pla meuk/neua spicy squid/beef salad
Laab kai/muu savory chopped chicken/pork salad
Som tam Thai spicy papaya (or mango) salad
Kaeng phet kai/muu sai hot curry with chicken/pork with bamboo
no mai
THAI FOOD
RICE
Almost every Thai meal is served with steamed rice or steamed glutinous rice. In fact the Thai expression ‘gin khao’ is translated as ‘to eat’ but it actually means, ‘to eat rice’. Rice is the staple of life in Thailand. As nearly two-thirds of the population live in rural areas, they rely heavily on the rice crops to feed their families. The central plains are one of the richest rice growing regions in the world. The rice planting season begins in May each year and the crops are harvested from December.
HERBS AND SPICES
In Thai cuisine the food is served with all the herbs and spices left in. Some you will recognize as being edible, such as shallots, basil leaves and coriander leaves, but you might wonder about some other unknowns. Watch your Thai companions at the table, and you will see how they deal with bay leaves, cardamom leaves and seeds, chillies, cinnamon sticks, coriander roots, shredded or sliced ginger, galangal root, pickled lemon, kaffir lime leaves, lemon grass and ginger.
VEGETABLES
Thai cooking uses a large amount of fresh vegetables. This is a healthy and delicious addition to any meal. The main vegetables used in cooking include baby carrots, baby corn, banana blossom, bean sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, Chinese cabbage, cucumber, eggplant varieties, green asparagus, spinach, spring onions, swamp cabbage, tomatoes and water chestnuts.
FRUITS
Thailand has an amazing variety of succulent fruits with delicious flavors. Exotic tropical fruits abound here and are inexpensive to buy. As with most fresh produce, it is less expensive to shop in the local outdoor markets and from roadside stalls than to shop in supermarkets. Fruit is usually the dessert of choice at the end of a meal. There are also delicious fruit shakes to combat the heat. Many of the fruits are seasonal and are available only at certain times of the year. The selection of fruit available includes apples, bananas, cantaloupe, coconut, custard apple/rollinia, dragon fruit, durian, grapes, guava, jackfruit, langsart, longan, lychee, mango, mangosteen, oranges, papaya, pineapple, plum mango, pomelo, rambutan, rose apple, sapodilla, salak, santol, starfruit/carambola and watermelon. Thailand is also famous for its exquisite fruit carving. You can see examples of this at many restaurants and if you are interested in learning, several hotels offer classes.
THAI DISHES
Many Thai dishes have their origins in China, India, Indonesia and Malaysia. One of the main characteristics of Thai people is their receptivity to foreign influences and their ability to transform them into something distinctively Thai. This has happened with their cuisine. Thai dishes often combine many flavours such as sweet and sour, salty and bitter, hot and spicy. Large amounts of soy, oyster and fish sauce are used, as well as lots of garlic and chillies. When trying new foods, remember that many of the Thai dishes are incredibly spicy and others are quite mild.
Learning about Thai food can be challenging. Be adventurous and try new things. Learn to say your favourite foods in Thai, but also don’t be afraid to order something random on the menu. The best advice is to try something new at each meal. There is an endless variety of food available and we have tried to give you some idea of the most common dishes and ingredients.
THAI KITCHEN
Thai cooking is fairly simple and quick. If you are planning to do some, be sure to buy a rice cooker to keep the rice warm. Fresh ingredients are all prepared and sliced ahead of time and cooked on the stovetop in a wok. Aside from the wok, the most important implements in a Thai kitchen are the cleaver, cutting board (tamarind wood) and the mortar and pestle. Ovens are so rarely used that many condos and apartments don’t even have one in the kitchen. You can easily buy a conventional or microwave oven in one of the many stores. Many Thai people also buy prepared food from a vendor and then simply reheat it in a microwave oven.
WATER
Efforts are made to improve the quality of tap water, but it is not recommended for drinking. Delivery of water to apartment complexes is often organized by the management. Many companies also make home deliveries of bottled water. The large 20 litre containers are designed for use on water coolers. The alternative is to buy an inexpensive stand or hand pump to dispense the water.
HYGIENE
When you first arrive in Thailand, you should exercise caution when buying and preparing food. Once your immunity to Thai bacteria has developed, you can be less vigilant. Maids who will be preparing and cooking food may require some guidance with regard to hygienic handling.
Although the practice is being actively discouraged, much of Thai vegetable and fruit produce is swamped with pesticides that can be toxic to humans unless washed off. Many expats wash their food with tap water and give it a last rinse with bottled water. It also makes sense to rinse fruit before you peel it. If you want to be extra careful, salads, vegetable and fruits can be washed in Lipon V or potassium permanganate and tap water. The final rinse should be in bottled water.
FOOD TIPS
The purchasing and preparation of most food requires basic common sense. Here are a few tips to keep your food safe and fresh.
· Local meat and poultry is not always inspected. It is best to rinse with tap or bottled water before cooking it.
· Buy beef that is blood red. Avoid dull coloured beef. Pork should not be too red in colour. Shrimp should be firm, not soft.
· Freshness of dairy products can be verified by checking date stamps on the carton or package.
· Eat only well cooked fish and seafood. Rice, pasta and vegetables should be cooked in bottled water.
· To prevent clogging, add uncooked rice grains to your salt shakers.
· To prevent moisture in food and keep ants and weevils out, put dry foods in well sealed plastic containers and add some dry bay leaves.
· Do not store too many things in your refrigerator as electricity black-outs happen quite often in some areas.
· Do not store anything in your refrigerator for too long. The life of fresh fruits and vegetables may not be as long as you are accustomed to in your own country.
· If you are unsure as to the freshness of any food in your house, throw it out.
· Try to find a market where fresh fish and vegetables come in daily.
DINING OUT
Pattaya and its surroundings are a paradise for the food lover. Eating out can be inexpensive and even the local residents tend to eat out rather than prepare meals at home. The range of Thai food places is staggering, from local street vendors to first class restaurants. If you want something other than Thai food, you can choose from American, Belgian, Cajun, French, German, Greek, Irish, Italian, Indian, Japanese, Vietnamese and more. Fast food is also available in abundance. At last count there were over 500 restaurants in the Pattaya area.
HELPFUL HINTS
Thais will go to a restaurant and order various dishes. The food is set in the centre of the table, and everyone can try a little from each dish, as though they were eating at home. A typical meal might consist of steamed rice, soup, one or two curries, a fish and salad dishes with various sauces. The food comes freshly cooked and not necessarily in the sequence you would expect. It is normal practice to request more dishes as you go through the meal. In the smaller restaurants you may wish to ask for extra spoons to serve the food, rather than using your own eating spoon.
ETIQUETTE
The Thais have different perceptions of table manners. Chopsticks are widely used; or they eat with a spoon, and the fork is used to push the food onto the spoon. Mainly in the North and Northeast, a small quantity of sticky rice will be taken by hand from a central container, rolled into an egg shaped ball and dipped into the curry or other dishes. As all meals are shared, it is polite to take only a spoon or two onto your own plate at a time. Eating is always a social occasion in Thailand, and therefore there is no rush to heap food onto your plate. It is customary to eat one spoonful of plain rice to acknowledge rice as the most important part of the meal. It is considered polite and a sign of generosity to leave some food on your plate or on the table. Perhaps the most important rule is to have an open mind. Try the food, be conscious of Thai customs and enjoy the new cuisine. Here are some tips about dining out.
· Check the bill. Many restaurants add a service charge to the bill. If not, a 5-10% tip is appropriate.
· Most restaurants serve alcohol. Some allow you to bring your own but may charge a corkage fee.
· Be patient. The food can take some time to arrive when prepared from scratch.
· Some Thai dishes can be very hot from the chilli peppers. It would be wise to ask for ‘mai phet’, not spicy, until you know what you like. If you bite on a chilli, eat some plain rice or cucumber slices, or perhaps try dissolving sugar on your tongue.
· Request bottled water for drinking and have the bottle brought to the table.
· Ice cubes are safe if they are clear, round and have holes through them. Avoid crushed or shaved ice because it may be frozen tap water.
STREET VENDORS
Street vendors, food stalls and noodle carts all cook tasty and inexpensive food. They are on every side road and street corner. You can sit at one of their tables or have it packaged to take home. Many food stalls do not have menus, so just point to the food or memorize the names of some dishes. Go where you see Thai people eating. They are not immune to bad food and usually know the best places to dine.
CATERING
Major hotels can usually offer a complete catering service including waiters, flowers, tables and chairs and a nicely decorated covered area. Independent restaurants will provide tables, chairs, cutlery and plates along with the food, but usually no staff, especially at weekends. Many restaurants will cater for a private party. If possible, try to choose an establishment where you have attended a buffet function so you know the sort of food they will provide. The range of food will depend on what you want to spend.
Bakeries
All of the supermarkets stock an excellent range of freshly baked breads, rolls, pastries and cakes. However, if you prefer to buy fresh bread directly from a bakery in the early morning around 6am, there are several in town, some of which supply to the supermarkets. (We will list some of these in this space at a later date.) Many of the hotels will make excellent cakes to order for special occasions.
Continental Bakery and Restaurant
Thappraya Road, just south of Theprasit.
Tel: 081-557-0912
Hours: 07:00 – 21:00
Small, but very good bakery and café. All-day breakfast and a full dinner menu. Will make to order for special occasions.
La Baguette
Pattaya-Naklua Road, just north of the Dolphin round-about, at the Woodlands Resort entrance.
Tel: 038-421707
Email: res@woodland-resort.com
Website: www.woodland-resort.com/labaguette.htm
Hours: 0800-2400
Nice bright facility, indoor and outdoor casual dining. Nice sandwich menu, very good desserts. Nice little shop with small selection of specialty food items.
Restaurants
Pattaya and the East Coast offer an endless number of Eastern and Western style restaurants. Eating out is a popular activity, so take a chance and give some of them a try. But don’t forget that some of the best tasting food in town sometimes comes from the tiny little restaurants with no names.
AMERICAN & MEXICAN
Blue Parrot
On north side of Pattayaland Soi 2, just off Beach Road.
Tel: 038-424885
Hours: 0830-0100 Daily
Tex-Mex food, fajitas, enchiladas, nachos. Parking is limited.
Café New Orleans
Pattayaland Soi 2, between Pattaya Second Road and Beach Road.
Tel: 038-710805
Hours: 1500-2400 Daily
Nice atmosphere, good regional style food. Good selection of wines. Will cater parties.
Hard Rock Café
Access from Beach Road, in front of the Hard Rock Hotel.
Tel: 038-428755
Fax: 038-421673
Hours: 1100-0200 Daily
American diner with the usual loud music. Reservation advised on holidays.
Henry J. Beans
At the very north end of Beach Road, at the bottom of the Amari Resort’s garden.
Tel: 038-428323
Hours: 1700-0100 Mon-Sat, 0900-0100 Sun
Live band nightly, except Sunday. American and Tex-Mex specialities. Ribs, good portions, fun atmosphere. Good place to take children.
Mike’s Mexican Restaurant
On the east side of Thappraya Road, just north of the Pratamnak Road junction.
Tel: 038-364593
Hours: 1100-2300
Open air restaurant with good Mexican food and drinks.
Tequila Reef Cantina
Soi 7, off Beach Road.
Tel: 038-414035-6
Hours: 1130-2400
A favourite of farangs. Good Baja style Mexican food, also Thai food.
CHINESE
Chrysanthemum Palace
Royal Cliff Beach Resort.
Tel: 038-250421, ext. 2726
Hours: 1830-2200 - Fri – Wed (closed Thursday)
Great Cantonese food. Elegant and relaxing atmosphere.
CONTINENTAL
Alois Restaurant and Wine Bar
West side of Thappraya Road, just south of the Third Road overpass.
Tel: 038-267191/2
Email: alois.pattaya@gmail.com
Website: www.aloispattaya.com
Hours: Lunch – 12:00 – 1430, Dinner – 1800-midnight
Elegantly relaxed atmosphere, friendly and competent staff, great European and Thai cuisine at fair prices. Full bar.
The Balcony
Soi Ananthakul, off North Pattaya Road, nearly opposite City Hall.
Tel: 038-411429
Hours: 1100-2300 Daily
Pleasant place for lunch or dinner. Menu of French and international dishes. Good coffee and a large selection of home made pastries and desserts. Make cakes to order.
Caprice Restaurant
Royal Cliff Beach Resort.
Tel: 038-250421
Hours: 1830-2230 Daily
Modern, relaxed dining. International menu. Very good service. Casual elegant dress code.
Casa Pascal
Pattaya Second Road, opposite Marriott and More Bar & Grill.
Tel: 038-723660, 085-992-0482
Hours: 1100-1400, 1800-2300 Daily
Offers European fine dining in stylish decor. In the high season, a wonderful Sunday brunch and barbeque.
The Grill Room
Royal Cliff Beach Resort.
Tel: 038-250421
Hours: 1830-2230 Wed – Mon (closed Tuesday)
Classic cuisine with French influence.
News Café
Thappraya Road just north of Theprasit.
Tel: 038-267174
Hours: 12:00 – 23:00 Daily
Good selection of European dishes in a nice casual atmosphere. Saturday lunch buffet.
Poseidon
Thappraya Road, between Theprasit Road and Hanuman Statue. On the north end of the Jomtien Complex.
Tel: 038-303300, 085-992-0482
Email: info@restaurant-pattaya.com
Website: www.restaurant-pattaya.com
Hours: 0800-2300
Relaxed atmosphere, offers indoor and outdoor dining. International menu.
DELI FOOD
FRENCH & BELGIAN
Café des Amis
Off Thappraya Road, between Theprasit and Pattaya Tai Road. At the end of Soi 9.
Tel: 038-364327, 084-026-4989
Email: info@cafedesamispattaya.com
Website: cafedesamispattaya.com
Hours: Open 1630 – Wed – Mon (closed Tuesdays)
Elegant dining with a relaxed ambiance. Order from the international dinner menu or a lighter (but just as elegant) bar snacks menu. Very nice wine list.
Ma Maison
Soi 13, on the south end of Beach Road. Close to Second Road.
Tel: 038-429318
Hours: 0730-2200
Open-air atmosphere by a pool. Good French and Continental dishes. Nice pastries.
Mon Ami Pierrot
Heading south on Beach Road/Walking Street, close to the end, on the sea side.
Tel: 038-429792
Hours: 1800-0130 Daily
Good French food, small and intimate.
INDIAN
Ali Baba
Opposite Nova Lodge Hotel, Central Pattaya Road near Beach Road.
Tel: 038-429262
Hours: 1100-2400
Good curries and vegetarian dishes. Large groups must have reservation.
Indian By Nature
East side of Thappraya Road, just north of Theprasit, near Chateau Dale.
Tel: 038-364656
E-mail: avkhanijou@hotmail.com ; jackint@loxinfo.co.th
Website: www.indian-by-nature.com
Hours: 1800 – late
Gourmet Indian Dining.
Maharani
Royal Cliff Beach Resort.
Tel: 038-250421
Hours: 1100-1300, 1830-2230 Tue – Sun (closed Monday)
Wonderful Indian cuisine. Also includes a section outside with a superb view.
The Taj
Pattaya Third Road, south of Central Pattaya Road, opposite X-Zyte discotheque.
Tel: 038-374744
Hours: 12:00 – 23:00 Daily
Very good North Indian and Indo-Chinese dishes in a relaxed atmosphere.
ITALIAN
Pan Pan (San Domenico)
North of Jomtien Grand Condotel on west side of Thappraya Road.
Tel: 038-251874
Hours: 0900-2300 Daily
Excellent salads and main dishes. Offers good Italian food and pastries.
Rossini
Royal Cliff Beach Resort.
Tel: 038-250421
Hours: 1830-2230 Thu – Tue (closed Wednesday)
Fine dining, Italian style. Good service.
Silverlake Wine & Grill
South on Sukhumvit Road to Km 161, turn left on road to Khao Chee Chan Buddha Mountain. On left, just across from mountain.
Tel: 089-896-5166
Hours: 1000-2000 Mon – Thur, 1000-2200 Fri – Sun
Very nice menu in a beautiful new setting. Busy on weekends, quieter during the week.
Trattoria Toscana
On Beach Road, north of Pattaya Klang.
Tel: 038-362370, 081-861-3446
Email: tirreno@ptty2.loxinfo.co.th
Website: www.thailandiatoscana.net
Hours: 1200-2400
Good Italian food, extensive menu, great gnocchi. Air-conditioned inside seating, and a nice wide, covered porch for outside dining.
JAPANESE
Benihana
Royal Garden Plaza.
Tel: 038-425009
Hours: 1200-2200 Mon- Sat, 1100-2200 Sun
Japanese-American steak house. Fun for the children too, as they perform the art of cooking in front of you. Offer brunch on Sunday.
MIDDLE EASTERN
PUBS / RESTAURANTS
Deutsches Haus
Corner of Beach Road and Soi 4.
Tel: 038-428725
Hours: 0730-2400
Hearty, German home-style meals in a warm, relaxed atmosphere. Air-conditioned inside dining with covered outside seating option.
Greg’s Kitchen
On Pattaya Second Road, opposite Soi 6, next to Tourist Police Office.
Tel: 038-361227
Hours: 0830-2300
Traditional English food. Great breakfast served all day. Outdoor and indoor seating. Nice family style restaurant.
Jameson’s Irish Pub
From Pattaya Second Road, immediately after Greg’s Kitchen turn right onto Soi A.R.. Located just in front of Nova Park Hotel.
Tel: 038-361873
Email: info@jamesons-pattaya.com
Website: www.jamesons-pattaya.com
Hours: 0800-0100
Warm pub atmosphere. Good pub fare, carvery buffet every weekend. Big screen TVs carry latest sporting events, library, pool tables, long bar.
Malibu
On the corner of Second Road and Soi Post Office.
Tel: 038-428-667
Hours: 1600-0200 Daily
Fun small cabaret show each evening at 2000. Casual dining in fun and lively atmosphere.
Moon River Pub and Restaurant
Thai Garden Resort, North Pattaya Road.
Tel: 038-426009
Hours: 1800-0100
Pleasant casual atmosphere. Saturday night barbeque. Pub has good live entertainment in the evenings, dancing.
SEAFOOD
There are several good seafood restaurants in Ban Amphoe along the waterfront, when turning west from Sukhumvit near Km158; at Hoo Kwang, opposite a coke sign on the road, you can eat on the beach. Naklua also has some good seafood restaurants; among them Pla Tong, just south of the seaside park in town, is worth a visit.
THAI FOOD
Cabbages and Condoms
Off Pratamnak Road, on Soi 4. At the end, on the right, across from the Asia Hotel.
Tel: 038-250556/7
E-mail: cabconpattaya@pda.or.th
Website: www.cabbagesandcondoms.co.th
Hours: 08:30 – 22:30
Offers Thai and International cuisine in a beautiful seaside setting. Be sure to read a little of the history behind this unique business.
Cucumber
On South Pattaya Road (Pattaya Tai) across from Tuk.Com and Soi Day Night Hotel.
Tel: 038-723030
Hours: 11:00 – 24:00 Daily
Thai and Western food in a casual atmosphere. Offers indoor or outdoor seating.
THEMED RESTAURANTS
-5 Supper Club
From Pattaya Second Road turn right on Soi A.R. (Soi 4). On the left, just after Nova Park Hotel.
Tel: 038-426768
E-mail: pr@minus5pattaya.com
Website: www.minus5pattaya.com
Hours: 18:00 until late
Mediterranean contemporary, Italian, and Thai food. After 22:30 they offer a tapas menu. Be sure to try the ice bar, for a unique Pattaya experience.
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