Thai Food-No Thank You

[DavidARoss]

Hi, Is there anyone here in Thailand who also doesn't like Thai food? I've been here 5 years now and have eaten about as much Thai food as you can put in the palm of your hand. I think it's too spicy bland,and it tastes horrible. Even buying bbq chicken at the local market sets me running to the nearest toilet. I've been living in North-East Thailand,have never been to Thailand's south so all I know is Issan food. I do all my shopping at Tesco,or Macro and even there they have little Falang food especially the new Macro in Nong Khai. When they first opened they seemed to have a lot but now after 5 months most of the Falang food is gone. Even Tesco fails to restock when a product runs out so now if there is something new that I might like I'll buy at least 6 months of it. Is there anyone else having the same problem as me? Thanks.

[Mrjlh]

Nope...love it! Even spicy after 5 years too.

I guess when life gets that bad that you can't eat, it's time to move on to other things.

[toffo9]

chillies, garlic, onions, chicken or fish all smashed up together then add coconut milk in the pand and there u have a beautiful spicy sauce for ur rice hmmmmmmmmmmmmm oh and does ur ring burn after u go to the toilet yessssssssssssss

[CosmicSurfer]

Hi, Is there anyone here in Thailand who also doesn't like Thai food? I've been here 5 years now and have eaten about as much Thai food as you can put in the palm of your hand. I think it's too spicy bland,and it tastes horrible. Even buying bbq chicken at the local market sets me running to the nearest toilet. I've been living in North-East Thailand,have never been to Thailand's south so all I know is Issan food. I do all my shopping at Tesco,or Macro and even there they have little Falang food especially the new Macro in Nong Khai. When they first opened they seemed to have a lot but now after 5 months most of the Falang food is gone. Even Tesco fails to restock when a product runs out so now if there is something new that I might like I'll buy at least 6 months of it. Is there anyone else having the same problem as me? Thanks.

TIT....

If you want a better choice of Imported food you must live in an area with a Large expat population.. In Bangkok, Villa Markets are consistently the Best, But Tops in Central Chitlom or The Food markets in Paragon and The Emporium are also good... also Foodland on Sukhumvit Soi 5, but smaller selection.

After 9 years here, I stay away from Thai street food, as I prefer my food Prepared in a more hygienic manner, without Fat, skin and broken bones, not flavored with soot and grime from the air pollution, and I like a choice other then food that is Fried... all have contributed to my unwanted gain of weight.

As to the lack of 'Just-On-Time' Inventory control, it's amazing how every store, no matter what chain, all run out of a product at the same time.. Food importers are reliably Non-reliable on maintaining a constant and consistent supply of even the most popular brands, or the Best selling ones either... Brands come and go without warning, and without any particular reason. I also stock up when I see something I like...

And because the selection here is so limited, whenever i go on a Visa run to KL I stock up there as well.

CS

Edited July 10, 2011 by CosmicSurfer

[ra1n85]

I always walked down to Paragon's gourmet market when I had an itch for western food.

Can't say that it was too often though. The heat and humidity made lasagna and steak just seem too heavy.

Thai food seemed to go nicely with the Thai climate.

[Cuban]

I've been living in North-East Thailand,have never been to Thailand's south so all I know is Issan food.

Then why live there?

Maybe you need to discuss your food situation with your handler, there are a huge variety of Thai dishes that Western trained mouths can eat, you just need to explore with an open mind and open eyes to what is available.

BBQ Fish with satay sauce, roast duck with chestnuts, pumpkin curry. to name just a few.

You mentioning getting the runs after BBQ chicken, as this is typically eaten by hand - are you washing your hand properly - might it be a case of self-inflicted hygiene issue?

[SteveLynch]

I agree

i have never enjoyed eating Thai Food .

i havent tried everything but what i have tried i really dont like ,plus im not too keen on sharing food eating ala family buffett style as many thais do ,not that im greedy

i just like My dinner on My plate

It is hard in Thailand if you dont enjoy the cuisine apart from putting up with the know it all friends of mine who tell me about all these amazing flavours ,and how im missing out

i always felt if you need to add that much chilli /salt/suger to a dish after its been served it aint that tasty ,

also i dont like having foods with items i cant eat ie lemongrass ,galangall and thise little green peppers if i was a chef id be sieving them out

i shop in Villa Market more than anywere else and i can still eat cheaply i cook the same as my mum did when i was growing up

and i only eat in westernised restaurents /my friends are used to me now so if they are going to eat Thaifood ill eat before i meet them

Im not saying Thai food is bad i just really dont have the stomach for it .

[bkkjames]

Foodland soi 16 is must nice than soi 5, clean, not full of rifraff. Villa is the most expensive in town. I bought vvp espresso for 150 the other day that for as long as I can remember was 105 baht at all other place-price of coffee up perhaps? But that is a whopping hike in one month?

[yermanee]

Don't despair, as Michael Jackson used to sing : - You are not alone -.

After 25 years in Thailand I can honestly say that I've had it with Thai food.

I must have fragile intestines because even if and when I eat in the better Thai restaurants I'm prone to getting a touch or full force of Montezuma's revenge.

I only eat some Thai dishes, and then only when my wife cooks them from fresh ingredients.

However, I live near Pattaya and therefore have an abundance of supermarkets available for my cravings, and a number of good western restaurants.

Having said that, I miss Carrefour already for certain items.

My advice, take regular trips to stock-up or move to a town with more international possibilities, it's normal that Makro Pattaya has a different range of items available than Surin for example.

Hope to have helped

Yermanee :jap:

[Mosha]

Don't like spicey food? Stay away from the South then.

[DavidARoss]

I agree

i have never enjoyed eating Thai Food .

i havent tried everything but what i have tried i really dont like ,plus im not too keen on sharing food eating ala family buffett style as many thais do ,not that im greedy

i just like My dinner on My plate

It is hard in Thailand if you dont enjoy the cuisine apart from putting up with the know it all friends of mine who tell me about all these amazing flavours ,and how im missing out

i always felt if you need to add that much chilli /salt/suger to a dish after its been served it aint that tasty ,

also i dont like having foods with items i cant eat ie lemongrass ,galangall and thise little green peppers if i was a chef id be sieving them out

i shop in Villa Market more than anywere else and i can still eat cheaply i cook the same as my mum did when i was growing up

and i only eat in westernised restaurents /my friends are used to me now so if they are going to eat Thaifood ill eat before i meet them

Im not saying Thai food is bad i just really dont have the stomach for it .

Thank you Steve As i totally agree with what you say. I have lemongrass growing here in adbundance and my wife cuts it and sells it besides eating it but I can't stand the taste of it. When I go out with my Falang friends and their wives most of them readily eat and enjoy Thai food because it's inexpensive but wouldn't put the money out like i do for Falang food. Their stomachs can hack it and mind can't. Most of these Falangs come from Norway,Denmark and Holland and England. I miss eating a good medium well steak that can be almost cut with a fork with a baked potato along with a Caeser salad. Any Thai beef that I've eaten has been tough as nails as they don't age the meat just kill and eat the same day. I usually sit it out while everyone else eats and wait until I can get home to cook what I want. Thanks for answering.

[gennisis]

I agree

i have never enjoyed eating Thai Food .

i havent tried everything but what i have tried i really dont like ,plus im not too keen on sharing food eating ala family buffett style as many thais do ,not that im greedy

i just like My dinner on My plate

It is hard in Thailand if you dont enjoy the cuisine apart from putting up with the know it all friends of mine who tell me about all these amazing flavours ,and how im missing out

i always felt if you need to add that much chilli /salt/suger to a dish after its been served it aint that tasty ,

also i dont like having foods with items i cant eat ie lemongrass ,galangall and thise little green peppers if i was a chef id be sieving them out

i shop in Villa Market more than anywere else and i can still eat cheaply i cook the same as my mum did when i was growing up

and i only eat in westernised restaurents /my friends are used to me now so if they are going to eat Thaifood ill eat before i meet them

Im not saying Thai food is bad i just really dont have the stomach for it .

I can understand how you feel,I am much the same.....but... I am very lucky to be living in Chiang Mai,where we have Rimping and Tops amongst others. I am able to get just about everything I want and also spurge out on internet suppliers on occaisions.

I do not eat out at all. I cook everything myself.The only prepared asian food I eat is frozen Shrimp Wanton or Pork wanton with a packet of noodles. I bake my own bread and have made...but not with much success my own bacon and sausages.

I find the Thai raw meats to be fine,although the Thai beef has to be slow cooked,the chicken and pork are good. hai vegetables are good as of course are the fruits.

[TheWalkingMan]

i always felt if you need to add that much chilli /salt/suger to a dish after its been served it aint that tasty

I think that this is correct. Some people overload, imho, on the spices to the point that you cannot find the taste of the underlying food. A little spice is nice as it can accent the flavor of the dish, but piling it on makes the dish more like chilli with chicken and rice rather than chicken/rice with chilli.

[bkkjames]

I think the variety and overall quality makes th the hub of all things chicken. Finally a hub with some substance-can even trade for fighter aircraft in tough economic time.

Gai gai gailand - let's sing outloud together now

[DavidARoss]

I've been living in North-East Thailand,have never been to Thailand's south so all I know is Issan food.

Then why live there?

Maybe you need to discuss your food situation with your handler, there are a huge variety of Thai dishes that Western trained mouths can eat, you just need to explore with an open mind and open eyes to what is available.

BBQ Fish with satay sauce, roast duck with chestnuts, pumpkin curry. to name just a few.

You mentioning getting the runs after BBQ chicken, as this is typically eaten by hand - are you washing your hand properly - might it be a case of self-inflicted hygiene issue?

I'd like to know your nationality because where you live tells the tale of what you like to eat. Perhaps your country eats the same kind of spicy food as mine doesn't . As far as why do I live here then, I'm retired and didn't come here to change the way I have eaten for 65 years. I like this country but it doesn't mean that I have to like their food. When Immigrants come to my country do you actually believe they change the way they eat,of course not. We cater for these Immigrants and they probably have more fresh food from their country than their own. As far as my personal hygiene is concerned when handling food you'd better have a good look at the way the Thais hygiene handling food at a market or the food itself with all the flies. And the BBQ chicken,How long did it sit in the heat before it was cooked and were their hands washed after going to the toilet which has no toilet paper?? Happy eating.

[Ijustwannateach]

My good Thai friends who are 'foodies' are themselves very choosy about what Thai food to eat and where to get it. I've learned to trust their judgment, as they are picky for what my tongue tells me are very good reasons. Picking a random restaurant, one is all too likely to find indifferently prepared dishes, often cooked by inexperienced and underpaid staff.

The best places are the ones that are owned and operated by family (who have a vested interest in their own success) specialising in only one type of food- the old advice about the shorter the menu, the better the food really works here, too. When it comes to street food, ask a Thai friend where his/her favourites are, or look for the busiest places.

OP, you are still at the tail end of what could be described as your 'early days' here, which means your stomach may still be adjusting to local bacteria and diet- I had frequent gastronomic problems here, too, for about my first 4 years. Give it a little more time and you may find that isn't the problem anymore.

But to be fair, I find myself very diffident towards 'average' Thai food as one comes across it in many markets, street eateries, and truck stops. All too often it's underpriced bits of meat and vegetable overcooked and sitting overlong in pans- the overspicing is often to disguise those negative effects.

[ukrules]

As far as why do I live here then, I'm retired and didn't come here to change the way I have eaten for 65 years.

This is the way I see it too. I'm from England and I eat the same kind of food I've always eaten. Strangely enough this means I eat Indian food most weeks as it's so popular back in the UK.

I've eaten a couple of Thai red curry's over the years in Thai restaurants in Europe which were quite nice but that would be a rare exception for me. I didn't choose the restaurant on that occasion.

I ate a 'Chicken Penang' which was pretty nice a few years back, that's the only Thai food I've eaten in Thailand, that was quite nice and I'll probably order it again at some point. Strangely enough 'Penang' isn't in Thailand, it tasted similar to an Indian curry to me.

I'm not so adventurous when it comes to food. I ate some sushi on Tuesday and had a three/four day outbreak of what looked like major Acne all over my face and neck, it only really started to disappear yesterday and today it's completely gone. Maybe I'm allergic to something - I literally had hundreds of 'spots' all over my face, they went as quickly as they came, very strange ! I blame the sushi but of course I guess it could have been anything else that caused this. I've never seen anything like it before.

[Ijustwannateach]

^That sounds like an allergic reaction, either to one of the fish in the sushi, or even possibly the antibiotics which the fish may have absorbed, if it was a farmed fish or kept live in an aquarium before cooking. I have a friend who is allergic only to the antibiotics, who avoids the shops with aquaria in favour of those who simply have the days' catch on ice.

[Trembly]

As far as Thai cuisine goes Isaan food can be described as basic / rustic / rough / simple, not that that's necessarily bad.

There are quite a lot of Thai dishes, particularly the Central Thai ones adapted from Chinese recipes that don't taste so in-your-face.

If you haven't completely written off Asian food then I recommend that you give the or Japanese or Chinese food in Thailand a try. . . Japanese food in particular has a lot of savoury flavours / 'proper' chunks of protein / no bits that you can't eat, solid / stodge similar to western food.

Edited July 10, 2011 by Trembly

[MRTELLYOUSTRAIGHT]

I'm retired and didn't come here to change the way I have eaten for 65 years. I like this country but it doesn't mean that I have to like their food.

dam_n right as well sir.

Do Thais fly half way around the world to eat western food? of course they don't. You eat what YOU like and what YOUR used to.

[DavidARoss]

As far as why do I live here then, I'm retired and didn't come here to change the way I have eaten for 65 years.

This is the way I see it too. I'm from England and I eat the same kind of food I've always eaten. Strangely enough this means I eat Indian food most weeks as it's so popular back in the UK.

I've eaten a couple of Thai red curry's over the years in Thai restaurants in Europe which were quite nice but that would be a rare exception for me. I didn't choose the restaurant on that occasion.

I ate a 'Chicken Penang' which was pretty nice a few years back, that's the only Thai food I've eaten in Thailand, that was quite nice and I'll probably order it again at some point. Strangely enough 'Penang' isn't in Thailand, it tasted similar to an Indian curry to me.

I'm not so adventurous when it comes to food. I ate some sushi on Tuesday and had a three/four day outbreak of what looked like major Acne all over my face and neck, it only really started to disappear yesterday and today it's completely gone. Maybe I'm allergic to something - I literally had hundreds of 'spots' all over my face, they went as quickly as they came, very strange ! I blame the sushi but of course I guess it could have been anything else that caused this. I've never seen anything like it before.

http://adf.ly/1zi61 Shouldn't fish be cooked even a little or marinated?? Perhaps a tiny organism was there from pollution from the ocean.

[DavidARoss]

As far as Thai cuisine goes Isaan food can be described as basic / rustic / rough / simple, not that that's necessarily bad.

There are quite a lot of Thai dishes, particularly the Central Thai ones adapted from Chinese recipes that don't taste so in-your-face.

If you haven't completely written off Asian food then I recommend that you give the or Japanese or Chinese food in Thailand a try. . . Japanese food in particular has a lot of savoury flavours / 'proper' chunks of protein / no bits that you can't eat, solid / stodge similar to western food.

No I haven't written off Asian food completely. I've eaten Chinese food in Canada,not the same as China of course, but I like their fried rice, eggrolls,dry garlic spare ribs but wouldn't know where to go in Udon Thani for this or would it be Thai style chinese food that I would be eaten?

[F1fanatic]

As far as Thai cuisine goes Isaan food can be described as basic / rustic / rough / simple, not that that's necessarily bad.

There are quite a lot of Thai dishes, particularly the Central Thai ones adapted from Chinese recipes that don't taste so in-your-face.

If you haven't completely written off Asian food then I recommend that you give the or Japanese or Chinese food in Thailand a try. . . Japanese food in particular has a lot of savoury flavours / 'proper' chunks of protein / no bits that you can't eat, solid / stodge similar to western food.

No I haven't written off Asian food completely. I've eaten Chinese food in Canada,not the same as China of course, but I like their fried rice, eggrolls,dry garlic spare ribs but wouldn't know where to go in Udon Thani for this or would it be Thai style chinese food that I would be eaten?

I like Chinese food (in the UK) and have been suprised that I haven't found any yet in Phuket. V odd as there are a fair few 'Chinese Thais' around.

Like you, I generally don't much like Thai food, even though I enjoy spicy food. The take-aways from the market are inedible - all heat and no flavour in my experience.

The massaman curries in restaurants are nice though and every now and again I find a good fish curry - but not v often.

Indian food is a better bet if you can find a place frequented by the locals - good food and v cheap. The Indian restaurants aimed at Westerners are WAY over-priced.

[SteveLynch]

As far as why do I live here then, I'm retired and didn't come here to change the way I have eaten for 65 years.

This is the way I see it too. I'm from England and I eat the same kind of food I've always eaten. Strangely enough this means I eat Indian food most weeks as it's so popular back in the UK.

I've eaten a couple of Thai red curry's over the years in Thai restaurants in Europe which were quite nice but that would be a rare exception for me. I didn't choose the restaurant on that occasion.

I ate a 'Chicken Penang' which was pretty nice a few years back, that's the only Thai food I've eaten in Thailand, that was quite nice and I'll probably order it again at some point. Strangely enough 'Penang' isn't in Thailand, it tasted similar to an Indian curry to me.

I'm not so adventurous when it comes to food. I ate some sushi on Tuesday and had a three/four day outbreak of what looked like major Acne all over my face and neck, it only really started to disappear yesterday and today it's completely gone. Maybe I'm allergic to something - I literally had hundreds of 'spots' all over my face, they went as quickly as they came, very strange ! I blame the sushi but of course I guess it could have been anything else that caused this. I've never seen anything like it before.

http://adf.ly/1zi61 Shouldn't fish be cooked even a little or marinated?? Perhaps a tiny organism was there from pollution from the ocean.

David

if your in Bangkok there is Irish Pub in Ekkamai named Durty Nellys ,its on the cornor of soi 2 the chef /cook is a irish guy so he knows how to cook western fare ,i eat there at least 2-3 times a week ,i havent eaten anywhere in Bangkok that can touch it for proper Western food ,they even haVe Magniers on tap ,go often enough they offer you a 10 percent discount like they do for me and you wont be hungry again

thier set lunch is 275 bht for two courses monday to friday and its proper food proper jus and sauces all home made ,he does a awesome trade and keeps me happy

i have always been wary of dirty cooks not covering food ,not washing hands and not reheating food correctly ...... contary to populer belief most cases of food poisining actually come from rice pasta etc not been reheated in a safe manner or left at room tempeture for too long a period .true mabye my parents drip fed me antibiotics when i was younger and my immune system is that of a 90 year old ,but becoming used to bactaria from contaimanted food and poor hygiene from the vendor is something ill try to avoid

[DavidARoss]

As far as Thai cuisine goes Isaan food can be described as basic / rustic / rough / simple, not that that's necessarily bad.

There are quite a lot of Thai dishes, particularly the Central Thai ones adapted from Chinese recipes that don't taste so in-your-face.

If you haven't completely written off Asian food then I recommend that you give the or Japanese or Chinese food in Thailand a try. . . Japanese food in particular has a lot of savoury flavours / 'proper' chunks of protein / no bits that you can't eat, solid / stodge similar to western food.

No I haven't written off Asian food completely. I've eaten Chinese food in Canada,not the same as China of course, but I like their fried rice, eggrolls,dry garlic spare ribs but wouldn't know where to go in Udon Thani for this or would it be Thai style chinese food that I would be eaten?

I like Chinese food (in the UK) and have been suprised that I haven't found any yet in Phuket. V odd as there are a fair few 'Chinese Thais' around.

Like you, I generally don't much like Thai food, even though I enjoy spicy food. The take-aways from the market are inedible - all heat and no flavour in my experience.

The massaman curries in restaurants are nice though and every now and again I find a good fish curry - but not v often.

Indian food is a better bet if you can find a place frequented by the locals - good food and v cheap. The Indian restaurants aimed at Westerners are WAY over-priced.

I've never tried Indian food but did have curry once about 30 years ago and think that I enjoyed it at the time. I'd like some good hot German mustard,German mayonese,German Bratwursts and aged old cheddar cheese not the mild kind that they have here imported from USA and Australia. I buy the blocked cheese for around 700 Baht at Macro,it's still quite okay but I like the aged better. I've never tried goat cheese but would be willing to try it.

[soomak]

I also don't enjoy Thai food, except for a few very simple dishes.

Don't like spicy, don't like their soups, and most street food looks suspicious to me...

If you have money, there are many options in places like bkk, pattaya or chiang mai.

And cooking at home is fresher, healthier, and probably safer.

By the way, I believe that the spicy stuff (chilli or whatever that is), is a very strong natural antibiotic, so it actually protects Thais from unhygienic food.

That's why they don't get sick even though eating street food that's been sitting in the heat for a few hours.

[ukrules]

I've never tried goat cheese but would be willing to try it.

I don't like the thought of eating anything that comes out of a goat.

[Richb2004v2]

I quite like Thai food, I just don't think it's as good as it's often hyped to be. We have eaten in so many disappointing places. Far more than I have anywhere else. Although that is probably because we have eaten out more here. Over spiced food is very common as well as food that's been prepared by someone who clearly does not care what they are selling. Then of course there is the issue of hygiene. We have eaten in places selling great food only do see dogs wandering about in the kitchen. We now stick mostly to eating at home. My wife prepares better tasting food than most places with much reduced risk of food poisoning.

[Awohalitsiktoli]

I've never tried goat cheese but would be willing to try it.

I don't like the thought of eating anything that comes out of a goat.

I find most Thai food totally disgusting. It has to be the worst food in all of Asia (with the possible exception of Cambodia). And the selection is mind-boggling boring compared to, say, Chinese food or Indian food (no, not those Indians, the other ones).

[F1fanatic]

As far as Thai cuisine goes Isaan food can be described as basic / rustic / rough / simple, not that that's necessarily bad.

There are quite a lot of Thai dishes, particularly the Central Thai ones adapted from Chinese recipes that don't taste so in-your-face.

If you haven't completely written off Asian food then I recommend that you give the or Japanese or Chinese food in Thailand a try. . . Japanese food in particular has a lot of savoury flavours / 'proper' chunks of protein / no bits that you can't eat, solid / stodge similar to western food.

No I haven't written off Asian food completely. I've eaten Chinese food in Canada,not the same as China of course, but I like their fried rice, eggrolls,dry garlic spare ribs but wouldn't know where to go in Udon Thani for this or would it be Thai style chinese food that I would be eaten?

I like Chinese food (in the UK) and have been suprised that I haven't found any yet in Phuket. V odd as there are a fair few 'Chinese Thais' around.

Like you, I generally don't much like Thai food, even though I enjoy spicy food. The take-aways from the market are inedible - all heat and no flavour in my experience.

The massaman curries in restaurants are nice though and every now and again I find a good fish curry - but not v often.

Indian food is a better bet if you can find a place frequented by the locals - good food and v cheap. The Indian restaurants aimed at Westerners are WAY over-priced.

I've never tried Indian food but did have curry once about 30 years ago and think that I enjoyed it at the time. I'd like some good hot German mustard,German mayonese,German Bratwursts and aged old cheddar cheese not the mild kind that they have here imported from USA and Australia. I buy the blocked cheese for around 700 Baht at Macro,it's still quite okay but I like the aged better. I've never tried goat cheese but would be willing to try it.

Look for a Villa Market, they have a great (albeit expensive) range of cheeses - including aged cheddar

Edit - they also stock the most wonderful pickled onions, O'Driscolls Spicy Pickled Onions!

Edited July 10, 2011 by F1fanatic