Southern Thai cuisine will change your perspective of Thai cuisine. You will be amazed by the taste and variety of Southern Thai cuisine. When visiting a new country, trying the local food should be your priority, as it reflects the rich culture and history of the region. These dishes have many stories to tell; all you need to do is immerse yourself in their rich flavors and let the taste reveal the history behind them.
History of Southern Thai cuisine
The creativity and unique cuisines of Southern Thailand are the result of its geography, climate, and local ingredients. Southern Thailand was a significant trading hub due to its extensive coastline along the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand, resulting in a cuisine influenced by native Thai traditions as well as Indian, Chinese, Malaysian, and Indonesian ingredients. These influences created a cuisine with a fusion of flavors, textures, and colors that are like no other.
Southerners are good at combining different tastes to result in enjoyable flavors. One of the defining characteristics of Thai cuisine is the perfect balance of five fundamental tastes: sweet, sour, salty, spicy, and creamy. There is no doubt that Phuket, Thailand, became the first city in both Thailand and ASEAN to be recognized as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy in 2015. As the region is gifted with plenty of beautiful beaches and marine life, you will observe the use of seafood in many of their dishes.
Southern Flavors and Features
Southern Thai food has deeper flavors and noticeable contrasts with Northern Thai or Central Thai food. Many southern foods are spicy, but the heat does not always come just from chilies; southern people also like the peculiar gradual burn that comes with adding black pepper.
The local cuisine uses a lot of coconut milk and palm sugar as the sugar palms and coconut trees are abundant in the Southern region of Thailand. The use of seafood is also notable due to the coastal environment, with fish, prawns, and crabs commonly featured in many dishes. Local herbs and vegetables, such as kaffir lime leaves, lemongrass, and galangal, are also essential components.
Popular Southern Thai dishes
หมูอบอาณาจักร (Moo Heng) – Steamed Pork Belly in black soy sauce is one the must-try dishes of Southern Thailand. แกงส้ม (Kaeng som) – Sour Curry with fish and coconut shoots at Three Monkeys is also another Standout dish. Kua Kling or Stir-fried minced pork cooked with yellow curry paste and local hot-flavors herbs is a popular dish of the region.
If you are looking for a soup, coconut milk soup with shrimp and vegetables will give you a notable flavor and experience. If you would like to try southern Thai desserts, mango sticky rice will surprise you with its unique combination of mango and sticky rice.
Why You Should Try?
You may already be familiar with well-known Thai dishes like Pad Thai, Tom Yum soup, or green curry, but Southern Thai cuisine is another story. Southern Thai food might be a little pushed back at first but once you know and enjoy the flavors, you will be a fan of Southern Thai food forever. For many years, southern Thai cuisine continues to be celebrated for its diversity, vibrant flavors, and the perfect balance of spicy, sour, salty, and sweet that defines Thai food.
Fresh seafood is another reason to try this food. The creative combination of seafood and herbs and the balance of textures and flavors profile, make southern Thai cuisine one of the most exciting cuisines to experience globally.
Why Three Monkeys?
When experiencing authentic Southern Thai cuisine, there’s no better place than Three Monkeys. It is located in the heart of Phuket and is committed to offering authentic southern Thai cuisine. If you arrive at Three Monkeys, you will have an opportunity to try diverse cuisines too. There are more to explore at the restaurant from Southern Thai appetizers to desserts at Three Monkeys. The overall experience and the authentic taste of each dish of Southern Thai cuisine and the relaxing atmosphere and ambiance will make you relax.
Experience is the most valuable souvenir you can carry after visiting a country. If you are in Phuket and eager to explore the outstanding taste of Southern Thai cuisine, come and enjoy Three Monkeys. The restaurant is famous not only for its delicious dishes but also for offering a well-rounded dining experience that will leave you with long-lasting memories.
