It’s time for Part 2 of our culinary adventure! This time, we are tackling 3 more of Silverlake Axis’ South East Asian countries – Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia. Some of our newest initiatives take place in these countries and we can’t wait to see how they shine. But now, back to the food!
As Malaysia’s neighbor to the north, Thailand has long been known as a tourism hotspot that’s also incredibly rich in history. With amazing tropical beaches, ancient ruins, and gorgeous temples juxtaposed against the rising towers of Bangkok’s cityscape, Thailand is a versatile country that’s just begging to be explored. Let’s take a look at some of the iconic dishes that our colleagues in Thailand suggested.
Som tum
This local food from eastern Thailand is a popular dish that is made from shredded unripe papaya, sugar, lime, fish sauce, dried shrimp, chilli, and more. A spicy salad with a refreshing kick, its variety of flavors blends with different textures from its common toppings of peanuts, salted eggs, or pork cracklings. It is also usually paired with sticky rice and grilled chicken.
Som tum
This local food from eastern Thailand is a popular dish that is made from shredded unripe papaya, sugar, lime, fish sauce, dried shrimp, chilli, and more. A spicy salad with a refreshing kick, its variety of flavors blends with different textures from its common toppings of peanuts, salted eggs, or pork cracklings. It is also usually paired with sticky rice and grilled chicken.
Pad kra pao
A staple amongst the Thai, this simple rice dish is a go to during daily meals. White rice is served with stir-fried pork (or any other meat) flavored with Thai basil and chilli, a sunny side up egg, and a small salad for a basic yet wholesome meal.
Pad kra pao
A staple amongst the Thai, this simple rice dish is a go to during daily meals. White rice is served with stir-fried pork (or any other meat) flavored with Thai basil and chilli, a sunny side up egg, and a small salad for a basic yet wholesome meal.
Tom yam
Last but not least, Thailand’s most popular dish has to be tom yam. A hot and sour Thai soup, it is usually cooked with shrimp and flavored with fragrant herbs and spices. The basic broth is made of stock and fresh ingredients like lime juice, fish sauce, lemongrass, kaffir leaves, chilli peppers, and others. The soup often includes other meats like chicken or pork and is usually eaten with rice.
Tom yam
Last but not least, Thailand’s most popular dish has to be tom yam. A hot and sour Thai soup, it is usually cooked with shrimp and flavored with fragrant herbs and spices. The basic broth is made of stock and fresh ingredients like lime juice, fish sauce, lemongrass, kaffir leaves, chilli peppers, and others. The soup often includes other meats like chicken or pork and is usually eaten with rice.
Known for its beaches, rivers, pagodas, and bustling cities, Vietnam is a melting pot of its colonial past and nationalist present. The hardy Vietnamese people integrated history into their food, giving birth to wonderful fusions of flavor. Silverlake Axis’ office is located in Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) and some of the city’s famous foods are listed below.
Banh mi
Available almost everywhere in Vietnam, banh mi is a go to food that visitors should not miss out on. Doubling as a snack as well as a main meal, this affordable baguette sandwich showcases the nation’s French influence. Made with picked vegetables, pate, soy sauce, cilantro, chillies, and your meat filling of choice, this sandwich is a tasty treat for any time of day.
Banh mi
Available almost everywhere in Vietnam, banh mi is a go to food that visitors should not miss out on. Doubling as a snack as well as a main meal, this affordable baguette sandwich showcases the nation’s French influence. Made with picked vegetables, pate, soy sauce, cilantro, chillies, and your meat filling of choice, this sandwich is a tasty treat for any time of day.
Pho
The quintessential Vietnamese noodle dish, pho consists of rice noodles that is served in a flavorful broth with sliced beef, bean sprouts, lime, and an assortment of greens that includes basil, mint, cilantro, and onions. Chicken broth versions are also available along with more exotic toppings like beef tendon and pig offal.
Pho
The quintessential Vietnamese noodle dish, pho consists of rice noodles that is served in a flavorful broth with sliced beef, bean sprouts, lime, and an assortment of greens that includes basil, mint, cilantro, and onions. Chicken broth versions are also available along with more exotic toppings like beef tendon and pig offal.
Vietnamese spring rolls
Spring rolls are a common feature in many Asian cuisines, but the Vietnamese version of this popular dish is definitely the most refreshing. Vermicelli noodles, pork slices, shrimp, basil, and lettuce is wrapped in translucent rice paper and often dipped in a sweet spicy chilli sauce. For those on their cheat days, there is also a crispy deep fried version of this dish.
Vietnamese spring rolls
Spring rolls are a common feature in many Asian cuisines, but the Vietnamese version of this popular dish is definitely the most refreshing. Vermicelli noodles, pork slices, shrimp, basil, and lettuce is wrapped in translucent rice paper and often dipped in a sweet spicy chilli sauce. For those on their cheat days, there is also a crispy deep fried version of this dish.
Indonesia is an amazingly diverse nation made up of thousands of volcanic islands. Home to hundreds of ethnic groups that speak many different languages, it is known for its beautiful beaches, clear waters, volcanoes, and lush tropical jungles. Its vibrant capital of Jakarta houses Silverlake Axis’ office in Indonesia and is home to a stunning variety of street food.
Gado-gado
The Indonesian version of salad, gado-gado is distinguished by its peanut-based dressing and comprises of steamed or boiled vegetables, tempeh, tofu, hard-boiled eggs, and pieces of lontong (rice cakes). Literally meaning ‘mix-mix’ in Bahasa Indonesia, the dish is meant to be tossed and mixed thoroughly before consumption.
Gado-gado
The Indonesian version of salad, gado-gado is distinguished by its peanut-based dressing and comprises of steamed or boiled vegetables, tempeh, tofu, hard-boiled eggs, and pieces of lontong (rice cakes). Literally meaning ‘mix-mix’ in Bahasa Indonesia, the dish is meant to be tossed and mixed thoroughly before consumption.
Bakso
This noodle dish is named after its main feature – a beef ball made of minced beef. Bakso is readily available all across Indonesia, from thriving street vendors to classy restaurants. In addition to the beef balls, this dish is made up of rice vermicelli, kalian, salted vegetables, celery, and fried shallots served in tasty beef broth.
Bakso
This noodle dish is named after its main feature – a beef ball made of minced beef. Bakso is readily available all across Indonesia, from thriving street vendors to classy restaurants. In addition to the beef balls, this dish is made up of rice vermicelli, kalian, salted vegetables, celery, and fried shallots served in tasty beef broth.
Sop buntut
It may have an unusual name, but sop buntut is one of Jakarta’s most luxurious comfort foods. Translated as ‘oxtail soup’ in English, this rich soup obviously includes oxtail as its main ingredient, while its supporting elements include various herbs, spices, and vegetables. The resulting soup is clear with spicy and tangy notes, and as such is commonly eaten with white rice.
Sop buntut
It may have an unusual name, but sop buntut is one of Jakarta’s most luxurious comfort foods. Translated as ‘oxtail soup’ in English, this rich soup obviously includes oxtail as its main ingredient, while its supporting elements include various herbs, spices, and vegetables. The resulting soup is clear with spicy and tangy notes, and as such is commonly eaten with white rice.
That’s it for part 2! Would you guys like to see a part 3? Please email me your suggestions at [email protected]
If you missed part 1 of our food adventure, check it out here!