Essential Ingredients and Condiments in the Thai Kitchen
- Some Gut Food
- Nov 17, 2021
- 3 min read
Updated: Jan 19, 2022
Thailand is often known for their amazing food, and their authentic tastes. Around the globe, people share their love for Thai food. However, cooking the Thai cuisine at home (when living outside of Asia) can sometimes be difficult due to the lack of ingredients that are available in local supermarkets.
However, whenever you get the chance/ stumble upon an asian supermarket, these ingredients and condiments are definitely needed when cooking Thai food!
(These ingredients are inspired from my mother (who is Thai), my childhood friend (rsun) and myself!)
Essential Thai Ingredients/Condiments
1. Fish Sauce
Fish sauce is made from fermented fish (mostly salted anchovies). It is a very recognisable taste incorporated in Thai cuisine. The idea of fermented fish sounds super unappetising, however this ingredient is an ESSENTIAL ingredient in the Thai kitchen.
(Keep in mind when using this, a little goes a long way!)
Meals to have it in: Stir Fry, Currys, Ramen, Noodles
2. Oyster Sauce
Oyster sauce is a combination of oyster extract, salt, and sugar that has been thickened with cornstarch into a sauce. It has a strong umami flavour with hints of sweetness and is the perfect companion to dishes utilising lean meats or vegetables.
Meals to have it in: Stir Fry, Grilled Meats, Roasted Vegetables, Spring Rolls
3. Black Soy Sauce
Similar to oyster sauce, black soy sauce is used by the Thais to make the blandest meals taste amazing. The overall purpose is to sweeten and salt the food, whilst giving it a slight roasty flavour. The condiment has heavy Chinese roots hence why most dishes that utilise the sauce will likely be a Thai-Chinese dish.
Meals to have it in: Stir Fry, Grilled Meat, Roasted Vegetables, Salmon (sometimes when I am really broke I eat egg and rice and this sauce).
4. White Soy Sauce (Soy Sauce)
This condiment is popularly used in Japanese cuisine. Soy sauce brings a salty and earthy flavour and can be used with almost anything. When applying it to the Thai kitchen, it serves the same purpose as black soy sauce, oyster sauce etc.
However, when properly researching what soy sauce can be used with, the opportunities are endless.
5. Chilis!!!
If you go to a Thai restaurant (in Thailand) and your dish is not spicy, you're not at a proper Thai restaurant. Chilis are an essential ingredient in every Thai dish in which makes Thai food, Thai food!
Meals to have it in: Everything!!!
6. Coconut Milk
Another kitchen essential is coconut milk. This is very important to have if you like to eat/make curries. Coconut gives a fruity, roasty and creamy flavour to meals and brings out a unique/tasty flavour.
Personally, this is one of my favourite ingredients to have in a meal, where I know that the food is guaranteed to be amazing.
7. Palm Sugar
This natural sweetener is made by boiling the sap of collected palm flowers until it becomes sugar crystals. Palm sugar is referred to as an unrefined sugar because it undergoes minimal processing and no chemicals are involved.
My mom uses this instead of normal sugar (when cooking meals) because it is natural and healthier than normal sugar.
It is really important to understand what Thai dish you want to cook, as the ingredients/condiments etc. differ. However, I believe that the condiments listed are very essential and good to have in your kitchen regardless.
Furthermore, it is important to note that some ingredients go a long way (such as the fish sauce), so make sure to do a taste-test to ensure you do not go over board. Overall, Thai food is definitely a cuisine that home cooks should experiment or at least try out; as the taste and variety is loved amongst everyone!
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