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Sambal
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The chili-based sauce known as sambal is a common at all Indonesian tables. Chilies, sharp fermented shrimp paste, tangy lime juice, sugar and salt all pounded together. If you like it hot, make sure you give this a try.
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Indonesian
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Chicken Tikka Masala
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Chicken Tikka Masala is know all around the world as one of the most popular Indian dishes. Served off the bone, the chicken is cooked in a tandoor oven and then braised in a creamy, coconut sauce with a hint of tomatoes and masala spices. Mild to medium heat and served with pilau rice and peshwari naan bread, you rarely see anything left on the plate! Add Mango chutney for a little more sweetness, or lime pickle which will blow your socks off!
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Indian
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Lamb Madras
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A hotter, sharper dish, but very popular. Strong tomato based sauce with lamb that has been marinated and braised over a period of time. Spices used include chilli, garlic, cumin, coriander and ginger, creating a much stronger flavour and without the sweetness of coconut used in many Indian dishes. Accompany with deep fried onion bhajis, naan bread and cucumber and mint raita to cool you down!
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Indian
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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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Butter Chicken
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Butter Chicken is a much loved dish in Australia. Usually served mild in restaurants, you can of course ask for added heat. It is creamy, smells divine and is full of flavour. If you have someone in your group who is not a fan of hot curries this is certainly the dish for them to try. Cashew Paste is often used to thicken the sauce which adds the richness to the dish.
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Indian
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Rendang
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Most popularly served with beef, that has been slow cooked with lemongrass. This Malaysian dish is popular throughout Australia as it has a curry taste similar to those served in Thailand. Chicken Rendang is popular, but look for Rendang Daging, which is the beef version. Served with a poppadum style crisp and sliced fruit such as mango.
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Malaysian
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Nasi lemak
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Nasi is the word for rice, and lemak is Malay for \\\"rich\\\", referring to the star of the dish - rice soaked in rich coconut flavours. A small piece of fried fish or chicken, a few slices of cucumber, and a deliciously spicy chilli sauce.
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Malaysian, Singapore
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Onion Bhaji
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One of the most popular starter or side dishes in Indian restaurants. Shredded onion is mixed with herbs, spices and flour then deep fried in either flat rosti style cakes, or round balls. Usually served with shredded lettuce, onion, cucumber and tomato and a tray of dips, including cucumber raita, mango and red hot lime pickle.
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Indian
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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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Satays
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Satays and peanut sauces are served in every Malaysian restaurant with pork, beef or chicken. The meat is marinated and grilled and served with a spicy peanut dip or sometimes the peanut sauce is poured over the satays before serving. Normally served on bamboo skewers, but very traditional restaurants serve the pork satays on the actual grilled rib of the pork. Shredded chillis are often scattered over the satays so beware!
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Malaysian
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Laksa
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It comes however you want it, chicken, beef, fish or even prawn. It's hard to say which is popular as they are all fantastic and a must try. It is served as two different versions, one a sweet coconut curry base, and the other a hot and sour base, more frequently used with fish. If you've never had it, Laksa is a noodle soup, with the varieties of ingredients according to how you want your dish served. Again, this dish is a combination of Malaysian and Chinese influences. Bean curd, sambal paste and sometimes chopped coriander may also be used to flavour the dish.
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Malaysian
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Nasi Goreng
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Considered Indonesia’s national dish. Rice stir-fried with eggs, meatballs, chicken/beef/shrimp, assorted vegetables. The rice is made brown with thick and sweet soy sauce called kecap.
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Indonesian
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Gado Gado
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One of the most well known traditional Indonesian dishes, gado gado is a beautiful salad which is served with a peanut sauce. It is a very unusual dish comprising vegetables such as sliced cucumber, spinach, bitter melon, green beans, sliced potatoes and usually accompanied by hard boiled eggs. The peanut sauce should not be confused with satay sauce, even though they both contain peanuts. The gado sauce is more pungent and will frequently have sliced red chillis in it. Lotek, another version of gado, is made using raw vegetables, whereas gado uses cooked vegetables.
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Indonesian
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Kingfisher
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This is probably the most popular beer served in Indian restaurants, the brewery being owned by one of the richest men in the world! 5% alcohol content, but the taste is quite light and quite refreshing with a hot curry.
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Indian
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Mango Lassi
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Served in most Asian restaurants, it is probably a ‘signature smoothie’ type of drink. Fresh mangoes with yoghurt and light spices poured over ice – absolutely delicious and refreshing to the palate and takes away any heat from spicy food still burning your tongue!
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Asian
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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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