According to my Thai husband, Thai food in the states is “just too sweet!” And the misconception about Thai food by Americans is that all Thai food is full of peanuts, and it’s more of a one-note spicy, peanut-y flavor. But if you’ve ever been to Thailand, you know that is not the case. Thai food is all about the depth of flavor that goes on and on with fresh vegetables, seafood, herbs, and spicey chilies, and creamy coconut milk that cools things down. Thai chefs serve dishes with raw veggies on the side so that Thai people can chew them while they eat dinner, to cool down their taste buds from all the flavor sensations.

Where is the Northern and Southern Cuisine?

Another fact about Thai food in the states – it’s all coming from Bangkok. There isn’t much variety. It’s hard to find dishes from the North like Khao Soi or famous dishes from the South like Gang Som. The South loves to eat spicy seafood, whereas the North eats a milder fare. Bangkok eats dishes that are more in the middle when it comes to spice. So if you think the Thai food you have been ordering is spicy here, take a trip to the South of Thailand…and you might want to re-think that.