8 irresistible must-try Thai dishes that will tantalize your taste

1. Pad Thai: This iconic stir-fried noodle dish combines rice noodles with tofu or shrimp, bean sprouts, egg, and a tangy sauce made from tamarind, fish sauce, and lime. Crushed peanuts and a sprinkle of chilli flakes often top it off.

2. Tom Yum Goong: A hot and sour soup featuring shrimp, lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, and chili. Its intense flavors are harmonized by the addition of fish sauce, lime juice, and sometimes coconut milk.

3. Green Curry (Kaeng Khiao Wan): A creamy and aromatic curry made with green chili paste, coconut milk, chicken or fish, Thai eggplant, and herbs like basil, kaffir lime leaves, and coriander.

4. Som Tum (Papaya Salad): A refreshing salad made from shredded unripe papaya mixed with tomatoes, green beans, peanuts, lime juice, fish sauce, sugar, and chili. It's sweet, sour, spicy, and often enjoyed with sticky rice.

5. Massaman Curry: This rich and mild curry features tender chunks of beef, potatoes, peanuts, and sometimes onions in a sauce made from coconut milk, massaman curry paste, and spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves.

6. Pad Krapow Moo Saap: A simple yet flavorful dish of stir-fried minced pork with Thai basil, garlic, chili, and soy sauce, often served over rice and topped with a fried egg.

7. Mango Sticky Rice: A classic Thai dessert consisting of ripe mango slices served with sweet glutinous rice and topped with a drizzle of coconut milk.

8. Khanom Krok: These are coconut rice pancakes, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. They're made from a batter of rice flour, sugar, and coconut milk, cooked in a special pan.

These dishes are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Thai cuisine. Each dish offers a unique blend of flavors—sweet, sour, spicy, and savoury—that represent the essence of Thai cooking.