Thai food cannot be a cuisine of any worth.

[Seekingasylum]

As vacuous as is the pronouncement that Thailand is a beautiful country, the gushing plaudit, usually uttered by a frazzled American who's never been anywhere in the real world, that their food is equally delicious always struck me as incomprehensible as it is unmerited.

Thai food seems to comprise the same taste sensations irregardless of the menu. Galangal, coriander, lime ( kaffir or otherwise Tsicar ) chilli, garlic, nam pla, basil, green peppercorns, shallots, pickled whatever, leaf vegetables and generally that's your lot jazzed up by the addition of ersatz Chinese sauces and condiments. Frankly, it has to be the most repetitive cuisine I have ever endured with the possible exception of Turkish which seems to confuse doing 169 things to an aubergine with versatility.

It has got to the point that if eating Thai is unavoidable I invariably choose from memory and seldom look at what may pass for a menu. It generally doesn't matter a toss where one is or what the establishment is like the food available is generally the same featuring the same ingredients cooked or prepared in the same way. There are no surprises.

Why should this be and why can they not appreciate food unadorned by those ingredients which give them the quick fix of spiciness, salt, sour, sharp etc?

Thailand is the only place in the world where I am driven to eat MacDonalds hamburgers regularly.

Why is it so boring?

[Indoexile]

Thai food seems to comprise the same taste sensations irregardless of the menu.

t has got to the point that if eating Thai is unavoidable I invariably choose from memory and seldom look at what may pass for a menu.

your OP has some merit, however, I think you have painted with a rather broad brush.

and obviously looking for a controversy, cos this next statement has to be bullshit

Thailand is the only place in the world where I am driven to eat MacDonalds hamburgers regularly.

[sabang]

When I look at the average Aussie or Brit's diet, I don't really think Thai food can be described as boring. I think what is the case however is that basic Thai restaurants mostly suffer from a distinct lack of imagination- they pretty much all serve the same stuff. It's nice to come across one that is a bit different, like Lemongrass on Suk Soi 24, that specialises in Thai salads.

As for Thai being one of the worlds 'great' cuisines, well not quite. It is mostly adjusted from the Chinese recipes that the central Thai brought with them when they first migrated here. The worlds great cuisines are Chinese, Japanese, French and Italian.

[good2bhappy]

There are so many different styles of food in Thailand.
All I can add is the OP either doesn't know what they are talking about or hasn't travelled and experimented with the local cuisines
Sukhothai Pad Ganga.... not bad better than bikrapao

[Seekingasylum]

I disagree Sabang as far as disparaging British cuisine which is as varied as it is can be well executed provided one is discriminating. However, I suspect you are right about Antipodean tucker although their bright young things are melding influences from so many sources that a new Australian cuisine is being created albeit one that is inevitably derived from recent immigrant arrivals.

Lemongrass is nothing more than a travesty of Thai cooking blanded to the common denominator that is the falang tourist. Awful food bettered by the hundreds of ersatz Thai restaurants that proliferate throughout Britain. I can only assume you were drinking Chang before you dined there. A far, far better alternative would be a hop,step and jump away to Soi 33/1 at the alfresco restaurant betwixt the Robin Hood and Bull Inn which caters to the Thai. Their Poh Taek is the best in Thailand and a wondrous remedy for hangovers.

[Seekingasylum]

There are so many different styles of food in Thailand.
All I can add is the OP either doesn't know what they are talking about or hasn't travelled and experimented with the local cuisines
Sukhothai Pad Ganga.... not bad better than bikrapao

Don't be an arse. If I were not experienced in matters Thai do you think I would be posting on this board, you idiot.

Flying ant eggs seasoned to a nicety and briefly shown the flame could have been served up in Rayong or the back sois off Suk. for all the bloody difference it would have made.

You sound like a Lonely Plant contributor.

[sabang]

as disparaging British cuisine

Actually not disparaging it, neither Aussie cuisine- which is a cornucopia of produce, and with just about every cultural influence going. What I am disparaging is the actual eating habits of so many Brit's and Aussie's- downright boring. But you can indeed eat well there if you take the trouble.

Lemongrass

It's been around 3 years since Iwas there actually- maybe it's gone off, dunno- you know the way it is with the restaurant scene. But I enjoyed it, as did mrs, we both liked their banana flower salad in particular. I suppose any place next to Emporium will attract some tourists, but back then the place was known for attracting local media celebrities- there were a couple the first time we dined there.

Soi 33/1 at the alfresco restaurant betwixt the Robin Hood and Bull Inn which caters to the Thai

Must try it then.

[friscofrankie]

IN some respects I gotta agree with the OP (now that taste bad even typing it). Don't get me wrong, I like the flavors Thai food has to offer. As mentioned above Thai salads are probably among my favorite of all dishes. BUT; Thai food is quite repetitious, the word BORING come to mind.

There are so many different styles of food in Thailand. All I can add is the OP either doesn't know what they are talking about or hasn't travelled and experimented with the local cuisines Sukhothai Pad Ganga.... not bad better than bikrapao

Nah, he has a point. Thai cooking, for the most part, get's old. Using the flavors in unique ways tends to escape most Thai cooks.
I like Thai food. I even eat bugs. But after a couple years you find most Thai cooks stick to very basic combinations of those wonderful flavors. It gets boring.

The same could be said for any national cuisine. It's really up to the individual to make something new and exciting out of the sam old shit. As much as I enjoy Thai food, I find the best way not to be bored is to eat "Thai Food" less frequently than I did when fist moving here.

I do love thai salads though. Yam Nam sod is one of my favorite dishes.

[Seekingasylum]

^^
Try to go early, say, 2000 hrs otherwise they start to run out of things. The salads are uncompromising and not for the faint hearted.

Bon appetit.

[good2bhappy]

Try Jitpochana on Vipavadi Rangsit, excelent choice of trad' Thai food

[Seekingasylum]

Thanks for the recommendation.

Apologies for being a tad sharp.

[bobbysan124]

There are so many different styles of food in Thailand.
All I can add is the OP either doesn't know what they are talking about or hasn't travelled and experimented with the local cuisines
Sukhothai Pad Ganga.... not bad better than bikrapao

Don't be an arse. If I were not experienced in matters Thai do you think I would be posting on this board, you idiot.

Flying ant eggs seasoned to a nicety and briefly shown the flame could have been served up in Rayong or the back sois off Suk. for all the bloody difference it would have made.

You sound like a Lonely Plant contributor.

Always amused by people who call others "idiots", then go on to use words? like "irregardless."

[good2bhappy]

You sound like a Lonely Plant contributor.

Well this morning I feel like a bit of a weed.
Nothing to do with old style Sukhothai cuisine!

[friscofrankie]

Ah yes! nothing like a bit of weed before a meal of,
...
Whatever na?

[Seekingasylum]

^^^
You can be my editor if you wish.

Incidentally, I also used bland as a verb, another solecism although it served its purpose " regardless ".

You seem to be easily amused.

[Indoexile]

I disagree Sabang as far as disparaging British cuisine which is as varied as it is can be well executed provided one is discriminating.

same can be said for thai food, no?

[Seekingasylum]

Well, no, actually. That was the point of my post. It never seems to vary.

[Indoexile]

It never seems to vary.

Neither does Brit food.

Huh, I can use the same broad brush you do. easy innit. and fun. sure to rile up a few posters.

Not particularly accurate, though. but never mind that. Do recall I agreed with your general premise, as had FF.

Making an observation, that's all.

[Seekingasylum]

Disagree.

Good British food is distinguished by the produce which is enhanced by different methods of cooking and the addition of many differing herbs and spices but not overwhelmed by it.

Thai produce invariably is just a vehicle for the same ingredients cooked in the same way. It's the kick they always seem to be after. No subtlety or imagination at all.

Posting for effect?

Perish the thought.

[pepino]

As vacuous as is the pronouncement that Thailand is a beautiful country, the gushing plaudit, usually uttered by a frazzled American who's never been anywhere in the real world, that their food is equally delicious always struck me as incomprehensible as it is unmerited.

Thai food seems to comprise the same taste sensations irregardless of the menu. Galangal, coriander, lime ( kaffir or otherwise Tsicar ) chilli, garlic, nam pla, basil, green peppercorns, shallots, pickled whatever, leaf vegetables and generally that's your lot jazzed up by the addition of ersatz Chinese sauces and condiments. Frankly, it has to be the most repetitive cuisine I have ever endured with the possible exception of Turkish which seems to confuse doing 169 things to an aubergine with versatility.

It has got to the point that if eating Thai is unavoidable I invariably choose from memory and seldom look at what may pass for a menu. It generally doesn't matter a toss where one is or what the establishment is like the food available is generally the same featuring the same ingredients cooked or prepared in the same way. There are no surprises.

Why should this be and why can they not appreciate food unadorned by those ingredients which give them the quick fix of spiciness, salt, sour, sharp etc?

Thailand is the only place in the world where I am driven to eat MacDonalds hamburgers regularly.

Why is it so boring?

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

I like it. Otherwise my favorite is Italian. Haven't eaten Mac Donalds since high school 1969

[sabang]

It's the kick they always seem to be after

Too much Thai food is spoiled by overzealous use of chilli, plus in Isaan Pla La.
Several Isaan dishes in particular, if you can just find a place that uses a bit of subltlety with their seasoning, are pretty good imo.

[The Fresh Prince]

Why not just vary your menu and once or twice a week, cook yourself? I've lived and worked in restaurants all my life and i'll tell ya, all menu's become boring when you've tried it all. There is no particular style to my cooking, I take ideas from all nations.

To the op, I agree with you that most thai chefs have no imagination and can become boring very much like your posts, but you can always ask for what you want and feed thier imagination to suit your desires. Thats what all chefs like the most.

I grew up in a bakery and my friends would always say "your so lucky that you can have any cake when you want it." Bollox to that, try eating some cakes or breads when thats all you can smell 24 hours a day!

[blackgang]

Don't much agree with The Gent, But will have to this time as he is right on,
In the states I never stopped at McD after 0600 for a couple of Sausage biscuits and coffee to go on the way to the Dredge in the mornings,
I have always thought Thai food was trash since I started coming here 50 years ago and sometimes would try to eat before being completely shit faced. One thing is all the spice junk that is chopped and thrown in along with Tomato cores and skins and other stuff you can not eat, but you can expect lack of pride in workmanship in anything done here.
I even made the comment to FF once at his favorite eating house on the river that that shit would never replace food in daily life.

I do have some places to eat here that I do enjoy, "Dukes" is one and the other is "Fillmore East", as well as the "Bier Stube" for Breakfast at times.

[The Fresh Prince]

since I started coming here 50 years ago

Holly crap Blackgang! Have you got any photo's from back then? I'd love to see them. My house would probably be a rice paddy!

[Sir Burr]

Dunno about the rest of Thai cuisine, but, the Thai recipes for sea-food is both imaginative and delicious, far better than Chinese, or, any European cuisine.