NON-SPICY THAI DISHES

Thai food is well-known for its use of spices and herbs - chillies in particular, leading people to the popular belief that all Thai food is spicy. Although many Thai dishes are spicy, there are quite a number of Thai dishes which are not spicy at all (or slightly spicy).

When in Thailand, or at a Thai restaurant, you may notice a condiment set on the table (particularly in noodle shops), which you use to adjust the flavour of your dish yourself. Depending on the restaurant, these jars usually contain:

fish sauce
chillies in vinegar (or lime juice)
dried roasted chilli flakes
dried roasted chillies in oil
sugar

Here are just a few examples of non-spicy (and some slightly spicy) Thai dishes you may want to try. Photos for each are included in the full version of the app:

1. PAD THAI (Iผัดไทย)

Stir-fried rice noodles, served with bean sprouts and spring onions. Various versions include: prawns (shrimp), meat, tofu, etc.

2. KHAO MAN GAI (ข้าวมันไก)

The Thai version of Haianese Chicken (sliced poached chicken - served with rice, cucumber and coriander).

3. MASSAMAN CURRY/GAENG MASSAMAN (แกงมัสมั่น)

A mild Thai-Muslim curry, made of many fragrant Middle Eastern spices, meat (chicken being the most common) and potatoes.

4. RAD NA/RAT NA (ราดหน้า)

A stir-fried Chinese-Thai rice noodle dish, with meat or tofu and vegetables, etc., topped with a thick sauce.

5. KHAO MU DAENG (ข้าวหมูแดง)

Thai version of Chinese red pork (char siu) with rice. Often served with boiled duck eggs, sliced cucumber, crispy fried pork, etc. and a bowl of dipping sauce.

6. GAI YANG (ไก่ย่าง)

Thai-style grilled chicken.

7. KHAO PAD (ข้าวผัด)

Thai-style fried rice. Many types available - usually not spicy, but depending on the type, it can be slightly spicy.

8. PAD SEE EW/PAT SII IU (ผัดซีอิ๊ว)

Wide rice noodles, meat, garlic and Chinese brocolli stir-fried with egg in a sweet soy sauce.

9. JOK (โจ๊ก)

Thai thick rice porridge/rice congee - often served for breakfast, with various optional toppings.

10. KHAO TOM (ข้าวต้ม)

Thai thin rice porridge/rice congee - often served for breakfast, with various optional toppings.

11. KAI JIAO (ไข่เจียว)

Thai-style omelette

12. PAD PAK BOONG FAI DAENG (ผัดผักบุ้งไฟแดง)

Water morning glory stir-fried with yellow bean sauce (slightly spicy).

13. GOONG OP WOON SEN (กุ้งอบวุ้นเส้น)

Pan steam-baked prawns (shrimp) with glass noodles, flavoured with ginger, pepper and sauce.

14. PO PIA TOD (เปาะเปี๊ยะทอด)

Thai-style deep-fried spring rolls.

15. TOD MAN GOONG/TOD MAN PLA (ทอดมันกุ้ง/ทอดมันปลา)

Thai deep-fried prawn/shrimp (goong) or fish (pla) cakes - slightly spicy.

16. KHANOM PANG NA MUU (ขนมปังหน้าหม)

Minced (ground) pork spread on bread and deep-fried.

17. MUU PING (หมูปิ้ง)

Thai-style skewered grilled marinated pork (check the dipping sauce for spiciness).

18. MUU SATE (หมูสะเต๊ะ)

Thai-style pork satay, usually marinated in herbs/spices and coconut milk. Served with peanut sauce and a relish (ajat) of sliced cucumber, Thai shallots and chillies in vinegar (sweet, sour and slightly spicy).