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Pad Thai
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If your not sure what to order at a Thai restaurant you can't go wrong with Pad Thai! Definitely one of the most popular Thai dishes that consists of noodles, dried shrimp, chicken, red chillies, tamarind and thai basil. Some restaurants are now introducing a ‘chilli beef’ pad Thai which gives a whole different texture and flavour to the dish.
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Thai
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Thai Spring Rolls
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Not unlike the Chinese version, these are served in most thai restaurants you come across. Deep fried in pancake rolls, some are vegetarian and others include chicken, duck or prawns with herbs and spices. Usually served with a sweet chilli dip or a sweet plumb sauce, they are delicious as you crunch into the pastry wrapper and reveal the delicious contents!
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Thai
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Tom Yum
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The most famous of Thai soups, Tom Yum is spicy and sour and utterly delicious. Served usually with prawns and chicken, the flavours are created by crushing all the herbs into a paste and stir frying in oil. To make the soup, stock is added and topped off with fresh herbs. Tom Yum Soup is often served with a bowl of steamed rice.
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Thai
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Lemongrass Chicken
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It's so simple yet so delicious! Lemongrass Chicken is a fabulous dish used in soups, served with rice or packed into Banh Mi. In the markets you mayfind it on sticks to be dunked into a fresh sauce, a satay or a Nuoc Cham. The zingy lemongrass makes a lovely fresh sauce for the chicken. This is a great dish for children who might not like the spicy foods of Asian cuisines. Some Vietnamese restaurants will serve the chicken schnitzel style with the sauce on top, others fried the chicken in slices.
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Vietnamese
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Banh Xeo
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Crispy crepes or pancakes filled with succulent and tender pork, shrimp, beansprouts and herbs are served piping hot and you are encouraged to eat them like a local by cutting them into manageable pieces and rolling them up in lettuce leaves or rice paper – dip them into the selection of dips provided by the chef such as sweet chilli or a honey and soy, but the chef will usually spring a surprise on you with his secret combination!
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Vietnamese
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5-Spice Chicken Noodle Salad
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If you like salad and you love chicken then you have to try this dish. The chicken is coated in a mixture of spices including Chinese 5-Spices, grilled and sliced and placed on top of the salad. A cross between a noodle bowl and a salad, there are a multitude of flavours and textures using soy, ginger, lime and coriander to season the salad of matchstick carrots, noodles, peanuts and usually, whatever the chef decides to put in there! Really delicious.
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Vietnamese
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Muc Chien Gion
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If you like squid, this is the dish to try. Tiny baby squid are deep fried in a special coating (the recipe is never disclosed) and served with a clean tasting spice salt, pepper and lime dip.
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Vietnamese
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Thai Green Curry
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Thai food is famous for its curries and the Green curry is probably the most famous of the lot. Made from fresh chillies, lemongrass, shrimp paste, galangal, garlic, lime leaves and coriander, Thai green curry paste has a fabulous distinctive flavour and is mixed with coconut cream to make the curry creamy. Quite often served with green beans and pea aubergines and mountains of jasmine rice, it is a heart warming dish that is loved by Thai food fans around the world.
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Thai
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Pho
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This forms part of the staple Vietnamese diet and is served in most vietnamese restaurants in Australia. Comprising a salty broth with fresh rice noodles, chicken or beef, thai basil and vegetables, it is usually served in huge steaming bowls and accompanied by a hot and spicy sauce. Mixed Pho has become more popular recently, with the main part of the dish comprising both meat and seafood.
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Vietnamese
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Cha-Ca
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Originating from Hanoi in Vietnam, this dish comprises of small morsels of coated deep fried fish, which are served sizzling and coated with garlic, ginger, turmeric and other spices. It is usually brought to the table in a large hot pan for all to share, with side dishes of green beans and spring onions and a selection of dips.
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Vietnamese
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Beer
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Singha and Kloster are the most consumed Thai beers. Singha was originally brewed over 80 years ago in Thailand by members of the Thai nobility. Fairly strong and ‘hoppy’ tasting, it is made from barley and has 6% alcohol content. Kloster is a much smoother beer and a little more expensive.
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Thai
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Whisky
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Some restaurants in Australia serve a selection of Thai whiskies. The whisky is made from rice and is sharp and sweet, but very high in alcohol content at 35%. Mekong and Kwangthong are popular brands. It is not a cheap drink to buy, even though its cheaper in Thailand than beer!
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Thai
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Lemongrass Soda
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Very refreshing drink made with lemon grass syrup and mixed with soda or sparkling water, garnished with lemon slices and served over ice. Sometimes garnished with Thai basil to give a more herby taste.
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Thai
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Thai Papaya Smash
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A wonderful cocktail mainly served in the medium to larger restaurants. Made with fresh papaya, orange and a shot of tequila and dash of freshly squeezed lime it has both a bitter and sweet taste. The addition of agave nectar brings more sweetness, but sometimes you have to ask for it.
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Thai
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Coffee
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Vietnamese coffee has a distinct taste to it and it quite often strong but sweet. Served as a filter with cup underneath, there are many versions to the taste.
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Vietnamese
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Coconut Cocktail
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A lavish presentation, normally served in half a coconut shell with decoration of umbrellas and fruit. Various spirits are served but all with a coconut milk base and some with grated coconut flesh as well.
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Vietnamese
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Lotus Tea
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Green tea is marinated with fresh lotus leaves so that the aroma infuses into the whole drink. Vietnamese people believe that this has very health beneficial properties. Very refreshing.
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Vietnamese
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