Thailand's Hidden Gourmet Treasures: You Must Try These Dishes!

Thailand's Hidden Gourmet Treasures: You Must Try These Dishes!

Thailand not only attracts visitors with its paradisiacal beaches and cultural highlights, but also with tasty gastronomy that is worth discovering. Travelers often opt for classic dishes such as Pad Thai or Tom Yum instead of embarking on a culinary journey of discovery. To better understand the country's flavors, some of Thailand's most renowned chefs have shared their culinary recommendations.

A real insider tip comes from Jeiw Hathairat, head chef at the Hilton Hua Hin. He recommends “nuea khem tom kati,” an intriguing salty beef dish based on ancient preservation traditions and prepared with the delicate touch of coconut cream. Additionally, Hathairat highlights a yellow curry with shrimp and young lotus roots, a dish inspired by the Thai royal family and served at Krua Apsorn restaurant.

Creative kitchen ideas

Ryan Dadufalza, the talented chef at Conrad Bangkok, is committed to sustainability and surprises guests with a new twist on the classic papaya salad - watermelon som tum. The refreshing watermelon rind is cleverly integrated here. “met tang mor”, the combination of roasted watermelon seeds and kaffir lime leaves, is also one of his recommendations.

Of course, the innovative dish “laab tuna” from Chris Patzold, the head chef at Conrad Koh Samui, should not be missing from the list of recommendations. This modern twist on the traditional raw tuna dish offers an exciting twist for the taste buds. For an authentic Thailand experience, Patzold recommends the Baan Suan Lung Khai restaurant, which introduces guests to traditional cuisine in an idyllic garden.

Seafood and regional specialties

Noppadon Chainat, an experienced chef with 18 years of professional experience, swears by his family recipe “talay tung”, a seafood dish enhanced by a sweet and spicy sauce. His choice for fresh seafood is Savoey Seafood Restaurant, where quality is paramount. Jatupol Yutap, executive chef at the Hilton Hua Hin Resort, offers an iconic dish from southern Thailand, his yellow crab curry.

For fried skate fish with aromatic herbs, Yutap recommends Lung Bang Restaurant, another stop for foodies looking to indulge in the flavors of the region. Thanit Thanormitvimol, another chef at Hilton Bangkok, introduces his unique tom yum fried rice, inspired by the famous tom yum soup, and also offers Kor Chun Huad's crab rice porridge as a delicious afternoon snack.

So anyone who ventures into Hua Hin and the surrounding area to explore Thai cuisine will be treated to a wide range of offerings that go beyond the usual suspects. An unforgettable taste experience awaits anyone who has the courage to try new things. Be inspired and immerse yourself in the diverse flavors of Thailand, which go far beyond the well-known classics. For more information and recommendations, visit the in-depth coverage of The Guardian.