Thai food is incredibly popular in the US. In fact, it is one of the most widely celebrated cuisines due to its exquisite flavors and aromas. Do you know what that means? Every friend circle has that one self-proclaimed “Thai food expert” who cribs about the curry not being spicy enough or looks down upon those who do not use chopsticks to eat their Pad Thai. But as it turns out, that guy couldn’t be farther from knowing the real way of eating Thai food. As it is with any foreign cuisine imported into the country, Thai cuisine in the US has also undergone changes in a bid to adapt to the Western way. And that has caused people to make some common mistakes when eating it. Are you making them too? Let’s find out.
1. Eating too many appetizers
When you order a Thai meal, you will find that all the dishes, including the appetizers and mains, are served at the same time and not in courses, although they may not come to the table at once. Some appetizers like salads are served early because they are quicker to prepare, and you are hungry, it can be tempting to stuff yourself up with these. But doing that will fill you up, leaving no space for the delicious main dishes.
2. Using chopsticks
This is one of the most common mistakes that people make when eating Thai food. They assume that since it is an Asian cuisine, it requires you to use chopsticks, which is not true. While chopsticks are available in Thai restaurants in the US, you will not find them in Thailand. Chinese noodle dishes might call for chopsticks but the good ol’ fork and spoon are enough for the rest.
3. Filling your plate up with food
According to traditional Thai customs, you should not fill your plate up with just one dish or take too much of a dish. This is to ensure that everyone at the table has enough. So, when the food arrives at the table, you should take only two or three spoonfuls. There is definitely the option to refill if you crave some more.
4. Ordering the same dishes everywhere
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: Thai cuisine is so much more than Pad Thai and green curry. There is a wealth of options when it comes to Thai foods that you can try, including stir-fries, fried rice, Massaman curry, and more. Now you can also find vegan and gluten-free alternatives.
Now that you know the right way to eat Thai food, how about you indulge in some authentic Thai dishes? Phuket Thai Restaurant, a top Madison caterer, offers an extensive menu of the most delicious Thai foods. You can get takeout, eat at our restaurant, or order catering in Huntsville for your parties and gatherings. We also offer catering in Madison.