Southeast Asia is renowned for its many attractions that captivate tourists from around the globe. The region's beaches are truly unique; the cultures encompass Muslim, Buddhist, and Christian traditions, and the diverse cuisines introduce new and exciting flavors to all who experience them.
Many of those who travel to this region of Asia have gained a new love for the culture and cuisine. One country known for these is Thailand, considered the perfect getaway for many travelers.
Thailand is a tropical country located between Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos, with the Gulf of Thailand to the south. Aside from its beautiful beaches and lush forests, Thailand is the perfect travel destination for you and your partner to experience not just the nightlife, but also the cuisine.
What Makes Thai Food Unique?
If you are looking for a great way to spend your first dinner date, nothing can go wrong with Thai food. Just be sure your partner is not allergic to seafood or peanuts or doesn’t have incredibly low spice tolerance.
It’s a popular cuisine for date nights, which rivals Japanese cuisine, as well as steak and wine restaurants. These are some of the reasons why you should have Thai food for your date night:
Fresh Ingredients and Fresh Taste
Thai food is one of, if not the, healthiest cuisines you and your date can have. The majority of the dishes they serve are mixed with fruits, vegetables, and herbs.
They utilize fresh ingredients such as mangoes, papaya, lime, bok choy, Thai basil, and cabbage. Thai salads, unlike their usual counterpart, are often composed of fruits like mango and papaya.
Served Fast and Easy
Thai food may look like it takes time to prepare, but the reality is, it only takes a few minutes for a Thai food restaurant to serve food. The majority of restaurants have pre-prepped ingredients, significantly cutting preparation time.
While some dishes like Pad Thai take at least 30 minutes if you cook them at home, restaurants will likely serve them to you in under 15 minutes due to prepping the noodles way ahead of time to ensure a quick service.
Hence, if you’re looking for a place where you don’t want to wait 35 minutes for a dish to be served, try eating at a Thai restaurant.
Romantic Blend of Flavors
While there is no definitive research or scientific evidence linking spicy foods and ingredients like chilis to aphrodisiac effects, the capsaicin in chili peppers is responsible for their spiciness. This compound triggers a rush of endorphins and increases blood flow, potentially providing more romantic and sensual stimulation to the body.
As previously stated, Thai dishes come with a variety of flavors, such as sweet, sour, bitter, salty, and savory—these are what make people enjoy a hearty meal. The flavors are a harmonious balance—like love, there should be harmony and balance between two lovers, right?
Most of the dishes served in Thai restaurants usually involve Thai chilis, such as Tom Yum soup, Thai Green Curry, Pad Krapow, and Nahm Prik Plah Tu. These dishes are best shared with your lover, a pleasant and stimulating experience for you to try.
Versatile Choices
If your date is a picky eater, then you shouldn’t worry about it. Thai cuisine is one of the most versatile in the world. There are many options for you and your date to choose from.
Thai dishes revolve around pork, chicken, beef, and seafood. If your partner is not into sweet and sour seafood dishes, they can order a savory and spicy pork dish.
Their desserts are a perfect blend—not too sweet nor too rich. Just like their mango sticky rice, it’s the right amount of sweetness that leaves a welcoming feeling.
The Thai Food Culture
The Thai food culture is quite an experience. In fact, even fast food in the country is significantly better than many of its Western counterparts. They are fresh and full of flavor, reminding tasters of home.
For tourists and curious lovers travelling the world, Thailand’s street food and drinks are some of the most refreshing and enjoyable you can experience in the country. Unlike regular cafes, traditional milk tea in Thailand is made of Ceylon black tea, milk, and brown sugar. You can easily tell by their orange hue. Many Thais love drinking Thai milk tea on any occasion, especially during the tropical summer.
Thai cuisine and Thai food culture revolve around socialization and eating together. According to Jane-Tira, a UK-based Thai food restaurant, it is considered bad luck to dine alone. That’s why, if you are considering bringing your date somewhere for dinner, your best option is to visit a Thai food restaurant where many diners frequent.
A Taste of Thai Cuisine
For those seeking a new culinary experience and cultural immersion, Thai cuisine is a timeless choice. Why?
Because it has everything you need, be it stir-fried, freshly cut, deep-fried, simmered, grilled, or boiled. Two things that stick out are flavor and freshness.
If you and your date can’t decide what to try, we recommend these famous dishes and beverages:
Pad Thai - stir-fried noodles with savory peanut sauce
Pad Kra Pow - stir-fried pork with Thai holy basil.
Thai Green Curry - spicy chicken curry with crushed herbs.
Mango Sticky Rice - combines three main elements: glutinous rice, fresh ripe mango, and coconut sauce.
Tom Yum - spicy sour seafood soup.
Cha Yen (Iced Tea) - a sweet, creamy beverage made from strong-brewed Thai tea, sweetened with sugar and condensed milk, and topped with evaporated milk.
Oliang (Thai Iced Coffee) - known for its strong, rich flavor and unique blend of ingredients.
Grilled squid, cuttlefish, and octopus - an underrated seafood street food.
The Key to a Person’s Heart is through Their Stomach
A food date is a staple for many daters because food is not only nutrition for your body; it is also nutrition for your soul. It is universal, allowing people from different parts of the world to connect.
Whether it is dining at a Thai food restaurant or cooking up meals at your place for an intimate dinner date at home, food is the greatest common ground for people in love.
If you want to go on a date with a special someone, bring them over for some Thai cuisine.
References:
“The Importance of Food in Thai Culture.” n.d. About Thai Food and Culture. https://www.jane-tira.co.uk/thai-food-culture/.