In addition to the freshness of the ingredients, the other big benefit of eating Thai food is economic: most Thai restaurants are quite affordable.

What you'll find on your plate
A typical meal consists of a soup, a curry dish or a spicy salad, along with fish and vegetables. To whet your appetite, here are some classic Thai recipes:

• Tom yam kung: shrimp and lemongrass soup
• Tom ka gay: coconut milk soup with chicken, lemongrass, chili and lime
• Pad Thai: fried rice noodles served with bean sprouts and chopped peanuts
• Khao niao mamuang: sticky rice with coconut and mango—fruit is the honoured guest at dessert time

Salty fish sauce compliments many Thai dishes. It enhances stews and sautés, as does galangal, which is similar to ginger. Cashews and curry are other musts.

Spicy sauces are often used as well. These are typically made of roasted or dried chili peppers, garlic, shallots, lemon or other citrus fruits, tamarind and vinegar. Keep in mind that the number of little hot peppers shown beside each dish on the menu (one or two or three) usually indicates the level of spiciness.

Another typical recipe is papaya salad, which is enjoyed by everybody in Thailand, from the poorest of families to the clients of the most contemporary Thai restaurants.

Where to go?
To choose a Thai restaurant in Vancouver BC, rely on the recommendations of friends or local merchants. In fact, the next time you go to the hair salon in Vancouver BC, your hairdresser may be able to recommend the best place for Thai food while you’re in the neighbourhood.