NO, it´s neither sugar nor MSG. If you eat real Thai food in an authentic high class restaurant, it will be the combination of fresh ingredients, balances of flavors as well as the presentation. Food is always about 50% presentation, as we very much eat with our eyes. If you do not mean that, and are tasting grey mashed vegetables made in Isaan or papaya salad with rotten pla ra, then you are missing something. 😉