Thai's and foreign food.

[kurnell]

 

 

Thais can't go a day without rice and they certainly can't go more than a few days without Thai food. Any Thai that goes on holidays usually takes a supply of Thai food in their suitcase and on the odd occasion that a Thai moves overseas for a new job etc they insist on shipping rice, noodles, curry paste etc with them. Yes, not all Thais, but 95% of them.
 

 
When Uncle Soutie goes to work, he packs his bags with "western" goodies as well to take with him, so no different from what "thai's" do, so struggling to see the how "Thai's are singled out doing this
 
All the guys I have ever worked with used take their "own" specific food items to work with them, its the done thing, however many years ago, one guys got his "crockpot" full of indian curry confiscated at the heliport he was most upset wouldnt let him take it on the chopper

Well, cause they are Thai they need to be singled out and ridiculed in an anonymous web forum for doing that stuff that all other foreigners do.

I mean, none of these posters ever dare shop at Villa, foodland or the French section of Big C now do they?


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Seems silly to ship Thai rice/noodles/fish sauce to Australia when you can buy Thai rice/noodles/fish sauce in Australia

[bonobo]

 

 

As for the OP, I am not sure that you represent the majority of American families. I think the typical American family is just as narrow with their food choices. Most Americans that don't travel abroad typically eat quite bland boring monotonous foods.

 

 

Most of the Americans I know regularly eat "foreign" food, that is, food outside the culture of their national origin.  Not only Mexican-Americans eat Mexican, Chinese-Americans eat Chinese, or Italian-Americans eat Italian.  Not as many Americans might venture into Ethiopian or Peruvian, probably more based on availability outside the larger metropolitan areas, but Mexican, Japanese, Korean, Italian, Greek, French, Chinese (Hunanese, Szechuan, Cantonese), Indian, Thai, and others are examples of cuisines part and parcel to most Americans' eating habits.  

 

I might point out that the number one condiment in the US is not "American ketchup" but . . . wait for it . . . salsa.

 

Some of the food in those cuisines is even fairly representative of what is served back in the country of origin.  

 

Thais don't eat as much "foreign" food as Americans, Australians, Brits, etc. partially because of availability.  There is a lack of Greek, affordable French, South American, Middle Eastern, etc. restaurants, particularly after you leave the tourist haunts.  I've never seen a Russian restaurant outside of Pattaya/Jomtien/Phuket., for example.  But most Thais I know do eat food other than Thai.  Chinese is probably the most common, and many households even prepare it. Food stands on the side of the road prepare it.  Italian is plentiful, Western fast food is almost everywhere.  7-11 offers Western-style hotdogs, and in every convenience store, CP had prepared meals from a number of foreign cuisines.

[arthurwait]

Both not true:

McDonalds

Pizza

Bread

KFC

all the Chinese and Japanese Food

every saw the milk products and sausage in the supermarket

They sell these lot of spaghetti and chocolade not only to Farangs

 

So a lot foreign food in Thailand. Just they don't celebrate it as foreign food, they often include it into their food.

 

And in the USA you have no other choice than to eat foreign food. I am not aware of any US food. Even the Burgers were known in Europe before.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Many of the originals of what's now been massively modified and sold as Mexican or Texan food.

[Gecko123]

They view spaghetti bolognese as "foreign muck" 

My family loves spaghetti with olive oil, garlic, shrimp and horapa basil.

 

A lot of it comes down to lack of exposure to foreign foods either because they aren't locally available or too expensive. Mexican food, which actually has quite a lot of commonality with Thai food, appears to be catching on in Bangkok.

[Gecko123]

I mean, none of these posters ever dare shop at  ....   .... the French section of Big C now do they?

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Big C has a French section??? The only French thing I've ever seen at Big C is maybe a baggette. What am I missing?

[samran]

I mean, none of these posters ever dare shop at  ....   .... the French section of Big C now do they?

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand
 

Big C has a French section??? The only French thing I've ever seen at Big C is maybe a baggette. What am I missing?

All the casino products.


Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

[meatboy]

back in the late 80's while living in a soi at huay-khwang I used to make potato fritters for all the kids they loved them,last yr.a boy living by me had a party for his mates leaving school he had me to make a pan full of garlic mashed potato,they either ate it or binned it as there was none left.its the same with sausages,pies[pork] brawn,cheese I don't think there is much they wont eat.

mrs.meat wont eat lamb.thats all.

[khunpa]

My Thai-girlfriend actually likes foreign food. Only disadvantage is that she has gained weight, because of it :) 

[bkkjames]

my thai wife loves, brie, parma ham, smoked salmon, anchovies, olive oil, roma tomatoes, caviar, nice bread, rib-eyes, porterhouse, t-bones, fillet, scallops, alaskan king crab legs, cdn lobster, lasagna, perogies (i make em), tacos, enchiladas, fetta cheese, gouda, more smoked salmon....

[arthurwait]

 

 

I mean, none of these posters ever dare shop at  ....   .... the French section of Big C now do they?

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand
 

Big C has a French section??? The only French thing I've ever seen at Big C is maybe a baggette. What am I missing?

All the casino products.


Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

 

 

 

 Chips ?

[Gecko123]

my thai wife loves, brie, parma ham, smoked salmon, anchovies, olive oil, roma tomatoes, caviar, nice bread, rib-eyes, porterhouse, t-bones, fillet, scallops, alaskan king crab legs, cdn lobster, lasagna, perogies (i make em), tacos, enchiladas, fetta cheese, gouda, more smoked salmon....

Mama mia!! You've created a monster! Just teasing, no offense intended. 

[bkkjames]

 

my thai wife loves, brie, parma ham, smoked salmon, anchovies, olive oil, roma tomatoes, caviar, nice bread, rib-eyes, porterhouse, t-bones, fillet, scallops, alaskan king crab legs, cdn lobster, lasagna, perogies (i make em), tacos, enchiladas, fetta cheese, gouda, more smoked salmon....

Mama mia!! You've created a monster! Just teasing, no offense intended. 

 

 

this is one of the reasons i married her - we have a common enemy - yummy food. Sadly, I dont have a the budget to keep pace so tonight it will be kao pad gai with a side of canned jalepeno peppers. 

[khunpa]

my thai wife loves, brie, parma ham, smoked salmon, anchovies, olive oil, roma tomatoes, caviar, nice bread, rib-eyes, porterhouse, t-bones, fillet, scallops, alaskan king crab legs, cdn lobster, lasagna, perogies (i make em), tacos, enchiladas, fetta cheese, gouda, more smoked salmon....

 

Sounds like we are with the same person... :-)

[wamberal]

  Firstly, Thailand does not exactly encourage immigration from a range of other countries, unlike the US, Canada, Australia for example.  In the countries with a diverse immigration intake, naturally there tends to be a variety of good cafes and restaurants.

 

 Secondly, as others have said, economic factors are a key issue.  "Foreign" food tends to be relatively more expensive (as well as being not particularly good quality).  As the standard of living rising, well off people will be interested in travelling to other countries, and eating the food in those countries, which will expand the market for foreign cafes and restaurants.

 

 

 I lived in Hong Kong for many years (as well as in Thailand), and Hong Kong people still vastly prefer their own cuisines.  Who can blame them? 

 

 A final observation, Thai food served in restaurants now is certainly not as good as it was 30 years ago, when labour costs were much lower.  Short-cuts are now the order of the day, unfortunately.  That is one reason that Thai food tends to be pretty awful in countries like Australia.

[Jasun]

Lets face it, Thai food is pretty darn good.  I reckon that country folk who grow up on copious amounts of spicy foods find the average western meal quite bland. I've got a theory that their taste buds have been dulled by all that chili. But I know just as many Thais who adore food from all over the world, eating local is their comfort food.

 

 

 

 

[h90]

 

Money.

 

If they want a pizza, look how much it costs.

 

That's a point ... just why is Pizza so expensive in Thailand.

 

It can't be because the high quality ingredients used ... 

.
 

 

 

There is a team with microscopes trying to find the quality of ingredients but so far no results
 

[h90]

 

Both not true:

McDonalds

Pizza

Bread

KFC

all the Chinese and Japanese Food

every saw the milk products and sausage in the supermarket

They sell these lot of spaghetti and chocolade not only to Farangs

 

So a lot foreign food in Thailand. Just they don't celebrate it as foreign food, they often include it into their food.

 

And in the USA you have no other choice than to eat foreign food. I am not aware of any US food. Even the Burgers were known in Europe before.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Many of the originals of what's now been massively modified and sold as Mexican or Texan food.

 

 

It just came into my mind that chili isn't native in Thailand, it is South American (true???) which technically would make all food with lots of chili not really Thai food. Or just recently developed Thai food.
 

[Gecko123]

Just one quick observation about Thai food which might help explain why Thais can eat it exclusively without ever getting tired of it.

 

When I first moved here, one of my biggest fears was what would happen if I got bored eating Thai food. I have found that while on the surface Thai may seem like it could get monotonous, I have discovered that it has a lot of different nooks and cranies and dimensionalities which make it surprisingly easy to eat on a day after day basis.

 

Just for purposes of illustration this week I am eating things like dried fish soup, pork/potato/carrot/okra curry, black bean and shrimp soup, bamboo shoots with pork and meng rak, chicken bai grapao, and I am totally addicted to plaa raa saap suk. I'm just saying, there's a lot more to Thai cusine than fried rice and paad thai.

[bkkjames]

Just one quick observation about Thai food which might help explain why Thais can eat it exclusively without ever getting tired of it.

 

When I first moved here, one of my biggest fears was what would happen if I got bored eating Thai food. I have found that while on the surface Thai may seem like it could get monotonous, I have discovered that it has a lot of different nooks and cranies and dimensionalities which make it surprisingly easy to eat on a day after day basis.

 

Just for purposes of illustration this week I am eating things like dried fish soup, pork/potato/carrot/okra curry, black bean and shrimp soup, bamboo shoots with pork and meng rak, chicken bai grapao, and I am totally addicted to plaa raa saap suk. I'm just saying, there's a lot more to Thai cusine than fried rice and paad thai.

 

I would never admit to loving plaa raa. That shit is forbidden in my house. 

[AYJAYDEE]

 

 

Both not true:

McDonalds

Pizza

Bread

KFC

all the Chinese and Japanese Food

every saw the milk products and sausage in the supermarket

They sell these lot of spaghetti and chocolade not only to Farangs

 

So a lot foreign food in Thailand. Just they don't celebrate it as foreign food, they often include it into their food.

 

And in the USA you have no other choice than to eat foreign food. I am not aware of any US food. Even the Burgers were known in Europe before.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Many of the originals of what's now been massively modified and sold as Mexican or Texan food.

 

 

It just came into my mind that chili isn't native in Thailand, it is South American (true???) which technically would make all food with lots of chili not really Thai food. Or just recently developed Thai food.
 

 

recent.? the spanish brought chiliis to asia in the 16 th century

[AYJAYDEE]

Both not true:

McDonalds

Pizza

Bread

KFC

all the Chinese and Japanese Food

every saw the milk products and sausage in the supermarket

They sell these lot of spaghetti and chocolade not only to Farangs

 

So a lot foreign food in Thailand. Just they don't celebrate it as foreign food, they often include it into their food.

 

And in the USA you have no other choice than to eat foreign food. I am not aware of any US food. Even the Burgers were known in Europe before.

youre not aware of any us food? lol.

[varun]

Probably an over-generalization, but yes, most Thai's stick to and prefer Thai food.

That said, affluent / middle-class Thai's (those who I've met) are more open and like to try new things when they dine out.

 

Japanese / Korean would be probably on the top of the list.

Italian/French/ other European food maybe a close second.

[arthurwait]

 Noodles - Chinese.

 

 Chillies - Mexican / Spanish according to the above.

 

 Som Tam - Laos.

 

 Khao man Ghai - Chinese.

 

 Khao pad - Chinese.

 

 Khao kah moo  - Chinese

 

 Massaman- Muslim/ Indian.

 

 Yellow curry - Indian/ Burmese I believe.

 

 Giay tiow - Chinese.

 

 Satay - Chinese

 

Khao Dtom  - Chinese.

 

Moo Yong - Chinese.

 

Tomato Ketchup - Chinese.

 

 

[buhi]

I would think for most of us, Thai or foreign, local availiability of International food and price is the main factor.

To eat "out" in a mall is expensive compared to the local vendors.

Also, if you are a foreigner in Thailand, the chances are that you have visited other countries and tried the local dishes as part of the experience; most Thai have not travelled.

If you have travelled, then the ambience of say a French, Italian,restaurant or even a British pub, is part of the dining experience, if you can afford it.

Another factor is freshness, the ingredients are bought daily at the local market, early morning, and deep freeze is for expensive restaurants. When my wife was with me in England she was horrified at the produce in the "fresh" market, particularly the fish which were dead!

If you go to Pattaya, one of the first sea food restaurants on Walking Street, advertises "fish so fresh they are still swimming," which tells a lot abvout Pattaya, but little about Thai expectations of sea food!

 

I do know that when travelling within Thailand, local dishes are a must for my Thai family and local specialities to be brought home and shared.Sea food , being fresh by the sea a must.

I am British and dining out was a treat for special occasions; here I eat out almost every day, but locally and pay very little, just like everyone else, or buy cooked food at the market to bring home. Just like in Britain though, a celebration or a visit to a resort will be an excuse to indulge in some favourite,dishes and in particular Indian.Thai do not try Indian food, but when introduced, at first forced, find it amazing.

I have converted most of my family to Indian chicken dishes and my wife to mutton!

Plus Indian vegetarian food is amongst the best. I always enjoy the Chinese vegetarian festival when dishes are available that disappear for the rest of the year. I suppose a bit like turkey is only is eaten at Thanksgiving and Christmas in the West.

Edited August 6, 2014 by buhi

[cooked]

 

 

Both not true:

McDonalds

Pizza

Bread

KFC

all the Chinese and Japanese Food

every saw the milk products and sausage in the supermarket

They sell these lot of spaghetti and chocolade not only to Farangs

 

So a lot foreign food in Thailand. Just they don't celebrate it as foreign food, they often include it into their food.

 

And in the USA you have no other choice than to eat foreign food. I am not aware of any US food. Even the Burgers were known in Europe before.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Many of the originals of what's now been massively modified and sold as Mexican or Texan food.

 

 

It just came into my mind that chili isn't native in Thailand, it is South American (true???) which technically would make all food with lots of chili not really Thai food. Or just recently developed Thai food.
 

 

Pappaya is from South America also. Try that on one of your Thai friends.

[spidermike007]

It's something I noticed as well. Thai people love Thai food. Thankfully I do to, so heads never butt, but I do find it curious. 
 
 
Frankly, I think it's a socioeconomic thing. Decent western food, in comparison to what Thai people earn, is expensive. And shit. 
 
Westerners and             Thai people with disposable income
McD / KFC / BK etc.       7/11
Chinese / Thai etc.          Issan Food stall / Noodle Stand (more Chinese than Thai IMO)
'Steak Night'                    Eat I am / MK etc.
 
                                        Poverty Stricken (in my country no equivalent exists)
                                         Sticky Rice / Bamboo Shoots / Bugs / Grass ETC.
 
 
The Thai people are uniquely proud and culturally homogenous compared to those around the. Yes there are a lot of different people, that they all seem to fly under the same banner remarkably well.  
 
In Malaysia and Singapore, you have three significant ethnic groups. All of whom have excellent food, and most of which appreciate each others food. (Though Chinese peoiple don't like Indian food much)
 
In Cambodia, any culinary legacy was murdered by the Khmer Rouge what remained was some french cooking and transplants from Thai and Vietnamese refugee camps. They don't eat western food because they seem too poor to afford it.
 
In Laos, it seems to be similar to Issan food and they aren't in a financial position to treat themselves to Western Food
 
and in Myanmar, it's a pluralistic country with a shitload of disunity and everyone kind of sticks to their own group
 
Fillipinos are obsessed completely on fast food and 'gourmet' crap as well. In my opinion because their own food is not good at all.. 
 
Thus, summing up, "Thai people" are a fairly new creation. They are the product of about 100 years of nation building and the many different ethnic groups within modern day Thailand, Chinese immigrants under one banner and they are lucky enough to have such a wide range of different food available, cooked at a high standard (it's yum! but not necessarily healthy or sanitary) without the colonial baggage or pluralism (Everyone is Thai. Chinese person from BKK is Thai. Lanna person from Chiang Mai is Thai). Chances are if you arent from a good background than you probably wont try western food until you're an adult in Thailand.  
 
Good idea for a sociology paper if anyone studies that.
 

Great observations. Very intelligent post. Thanks for that.

[spidermike007]

I think it is mostly socio economic in nature. Most Thais I know with some cash or education or experience traveling, like foreign food. Especially Japanese, Korean and Italian.

[pgrahmm]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

 

 

I think they have to be exposed to the variety....there's a great many western foods my wife enjoys - however when we eat a lot we both gain weight......Thai's are happy with their diet and for the most part it is a good one....

 

A lot has to do with the spices.....they simply accept them as normal and when traveling quite frequently either send them ahead (USA) or bring along.....on a group tour to China (I was the only farang) they wouldn't touch Chinese food without adding the spices the tour company was obliged to bring - they explained to me they would otherwise lose the Thai business......they looked at the Chinese food with visible dismay....easy for me to take it all in as I am not fluent in Thai so people watching, which I do anyway but more so this trip was a little more interesting.....as were meal times....

 

 

 Bangkok and Chonburi plus many other places I suppose are full of Chinese food stalls. Half the food about is of Chinese origin.

 

 

That's a good observation - I wonder if it has been Thai'ised in some way.....Akin to "Mexican" & "Pizza" in the USA which are nothing like the original and authentic dishes.....In China the group I was with of 40+ folks weren't too happy with the Chinese fare......

 

[Gecko123]

 

I would never admit to loving plaa raa. That shit is forbidden in my house. 

 

 Plaa raa is added to a lot of dishes to boost the flavor - you may be eating it without knowing it.  

 

I used to feel the same way as you, but check out plaa raa saap suk. It may take a few tries to get used to the flavor, but once you do, that stuff is <expletive deleted> delicious.

[Seastallion]

 

I mean, none of these posters ever dare shop at  ....   .... the French section of Big C now do they?

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

 

Big C has a French section??? The only French thing I've ever seen at Big C is maybe a baggette. What am I missing?

 

I saw letters.