The Most Popular Thai Food Dishes in Alpharetta
With over 5,000 Thai food restaurants in the United States alone, the growing popularity of Thailand’s diverse sweet-sour-salty-spicy cuisine should come as no surprise. The flavor complexities of authentic Thai street food can easily transport you to the vibrant, bustling markets of Bangkok, Chang Mai, or Hua Hin. Here are some popular Thai food dishes to expand your Southeast Asian culinary journey without ever leaving Alpharetta.
Pad Thai
Possibly the most well-known of Thailand’s many dishes, Pad Thai starts with thin or wide fried rice noodles and crunchy bean sprouts, green onions, and egg sizzling with meat or seafood in a stir-fry menagerie tossed inside a searing-hot wok. Tamarind or fish sauce brings out the flavors, enhanced by optional red chiles, herbs, or palm sugar, depending on the chef. Typical toppings or sides include ground-roasted peanuts and lime wedges.
Tom Yum Goong Soup (Spicy Shrimp)
Known as the original “hot and spicy soup” of Thailand, Tom Yum can be served as “Tom Yum Goong” (shrimp) or Tom Yum Seafood, which contains shrimp accompanied by squid, mussels, and sometimes scallops or fish. The basic Tom Yum Goong with shrimp remains the most popular option. In both versions, however, the seafood simmers alongside kaffir lime leaves, mushrooms, lemongrass, and galanga root, usually topped with scallions and cilantro. To reduce the flavor explosion, some diners request a side of steamed white rice.
Chicken Coconut Soup
Containing many of the same ingredients as Tom Yum, the milder Chicken Coconut Soup appears on almost every Thai food menu in America. Also known as Tom Kha Kai, this soup centers on boiled galangal-spiced chicken and creamy coconut milk. Most recipes add lemongrass stalks, mushrooms, kaffir lime leaves, cilantro, and scallion or shallots.
Yum Beef Salad
Also known as Yum Nua, the mouth-watering Yum Beef Salad is a favorite of those who crave the distinct Thai sour-sweet combination. Coated in a zesty chili-lime dressing, the salad features grilled steak strips enhanced by celery, cilantro, and cucumbers. Other optional ingredients include tomatoes, onions, shallots, herbs, and fresh chiles.
Thai Fried Rice
A common lunchtime dish in Thailand and across America is the classic Thai Fried Rice, also called Khao Pad. The basic version comes with a diner’s choice of meat or seafood such as chicken, beef, shrimp, pork, or the alternative tofu. Jasmine rice holds its texture during the sizzling process, as do standard add-ins including egg, onions, broccoli, bell peppers, or shallots. A popular variation is Basil Fried Rice using freshly chopped basil leaves.
Panang Curry
Like the more common Thai red curries, Panang Curry is generally a thicker and richer curry. It’s also slightly sweeter because most chefs use coconut cream instead of milder coconut milk. True Panang aficionados choose beef as their protein, but it’s perfectly suitable to add other meats or seafood. Crunchy vegetables such as bamboo shoots and bell peppers add texture, along with broccoli, green beans, or similar. Peanuts or peanut-butter sauces typically accompany Panang Curry.
Thai Cashew Nuts Stir Fry
Stir-fried dishes from a blistering-hot wok personify the exotic qualities of Thai cuisine. Accessible for most Western palates is a platter of earthy Cashew Nuts Stir Fry. The fallback way to order Thai cashew stir fry is with chicken, known in the Thai language as kai pad med ma muang. Chefs often create an aromatic brown sauce swimming with fresh vegetables and the diner’s choice of meat. Other popular stir-fries include basil, ginger, garlic, or Pad Prik King, made with prik king paste and kaffir lime leaves.
Drunken Noodles
Thai food fans in Alpharetta, along with scores of Thai street-food lovers across the globe, seek out the wildly popular Drunken Noodle. Also called Pad Kee Mao, this stir-fried dish is made with wide, flat rice noodles ranging from moderately spicy to the more typical super-hot. The addition of multiple vegetables helps cool the palate, but part of its appeal is adding an ice-cold beer to the experience. Some also claim the Drunken Noodle is a magical hangover cure.
Try the Best Thai Food in Alpharetta at Rickshaw Thai Street Food
When you’re on the hunt for the best Thai food in Alpharetta, stop by Rickshaw Thai. Our team is taking traditional food and mixing it with street food-inspired innovation. Guests can enjoy the experience of enjoying a delicious meal on the street of Thailand without ever having to leave their neighborhood. Made with only the freshest and most authentic ingredients, each dish can be customized to be as spicy or mild as you want. Whether it’s your first time trying Thai food in Alpharetta or you’re a seasoned pro, we have something for everyone. Order today!
