Thai Food In The West

[sbk]

Why is it so bland and why do they insist on adding the fake Chinese food as well?

I mean, really, cream cheese wontons in a Thai restaurant?

A bit of a rant, but I have only been to one Thai restaurant in the US (out of about 10 different ones) that was even close to authentic. And the Thai Mama was cooking in the kitchen with her daughter.

Sure, lots of Westerners can't eat the super spicy Thai food, but it is possible to mild it down without diluting the "Thainess" of it all.

[Jamie]

Two of the Thai restaurants I have been to, one close by and the other in Chicago were pretty authentic. They were, of course run by Thais.

I think when it comes to Asian foods, many westerners really have no clue what differences there are between Chinese and Thai or Vietnamese etc.

[coldcrush]

My Wife and I went to a few in the UK, she will not go to a Thai restaurant now, says how can they call it Thai food its terrible!

[suegha]

I have never found an authentic Thai restaurant in the UK. Some were 'good' with good food, just not Thai! The point above about many people not knowing the difference is a good one. They could just call it 'fusion', but people don't really know what that means either!

[Chung noi]

Howdy,

We have Thai restaurants here in the States. However, we prefer Vietnamese restaurants here because they carter to the Asians and not to the America taste. The Thai restaurants here in mid America never have the sauces or the curries right because American customers here are not big on spicy foods or phraaa.., and the restaurants want the business. My wife is Isaan. The Vietnamese don’t care if you like it or not, and they cook it their way. Funny, I see more Americans in there eatting pho than Vietnamese .

Any Vietnamese restaurants in you neck of the woods?

Chung *j*

[Spee]

I have never found an authentic Thai restaurant in the UK. Some were 'good' with good food, just not Thai! The point above about many people not knowing the difference is a good one. They could just call it 'fusion', but people don't really know what that means either!

Maybe you and Coldcrush haven't looked hard enough. I've found some decent places in the western areas of greater London and a some further to the west in places one would never expect.

I think some places are trying to not be "authentic Thai" because some of the spices and heat are just too much for many western palettes. They tone the food down in an effort to suit their clientele. For example, laarb that you get around here is never going to be anything like how it is made in the rural areas in LoS.

Other places are clearly run by Thai people, the cooks are Thai and they are trying to produce food to their native tastes. I've had some gaeng paa (jungle curry) at a couple places that I like. It is so spicy and hot that it might be too much for a lot of people. But it is good.

Also, you can't beat freshness. Places in Thailand have all the fresh ingredients available all the time. Here in the UK, that kind of stuff just isn't available. For example, when I have parties at my place in LoS, people from the village will bring in branches of fresh basil and other spices. Stuff out of the jar just isn't the same.

In any case, I would agree that it's hit or miss. I've tried a lot of places and many are just not that good. It has definitely been a trial and error process for me.

[Jockstar]

Been to a few Thai restaurants in London. Some shit some good. I lived in Acton for a few years. There is a Thai restaurant near the tube. The food there is pretty bland. But if you go to the Thai restaurant up on Uxbridge road up from the Redback. The food there is pretty good. When i went there i spoke Thai as much as i could( not fluent) The service i got was excellent and the food was great. We were in Scotland last year for a visit and we all went out for dinner in Glasgow. A few of us lived in LOS at the time and my wife was with us. The wife and I told them we wanted Thai style and not farang style food. The food there was pretty good also. Guess you just have to tell them that you want Thai style. Granted there are many <deleted> Thai restaurants. We have been to a couple here in Sydney that were just ok. The wife said we wont come back that she would rather make it herself. Its cheaper and tastier. Over here you can get just about everything to make decent authentic Thai.

Edited June 2, 2007 by Jockstar

[MarkBKK]

Also, you can't beat freshness. Places in Thailand have all the fresh ingredients available all the time. Here in the UK, that kind of stuff just isn't available. For example, when I have parties at my place in LoS, people from the village will bring in branches of fresh basil and other spices. Stuff out of the jar just isn't the same.

In any case, I would agree that it's hit or miss. I've tried a lot of places and many are just not that good. It has definitely been a trial and error process for me.

That's the awful thing, though. Pretty much any Thai ingredient is available (in London, at least), and at least as fresh as some places I've seen here. And most of the Thai restaurants are still pretty bad. The only one that I've heard is truly excellent is Naam.

[Golden Nugget]

I think when it comes to Asian foods, many westerners really have no clue what differences there are between Chinese and Thai or Vietnamese etc.

You're absolutely correct - at least in the U.S. that is. Most white folks are clueless and frankly don't give a rats ass. Sad, but true.

[toptuan]

Howdy,

We have Thai restaurants here in the States. However, we prefer Vietnamese restaurants here because they carter to the Asians and not to the America taste. The Thai restaurants here in mid America never have the sauces or the curries right because American customers here are not big on spicy foods or phraaa.., and the restaurants want the business. My wife is Isaan. The Vietnamese don’t care if you like it or not, and they cook it their way. Funny, I see more Americans in there eatting pho than Vietnamese .

Any Vietnamese restaurants in you neck of the woods?

Chung *j*

Yeah, we've got two Vietnamese restaurants in my town in central Isaan. Run by Thais. No one knows any of the dishes by their Vietnamese names. The lighting consists of red Chinese lanterns with pictures of Luang Prabang (Laos) on the walls. The food "looks" like Vietnamese, but tastes like Thai. Must be the 10 kilos of chili peppers per dish, and sweet sauces. Of course, som tam is on the menu as well.