If you’re fortunate enough to live in an area with access to a variety of great Thai food you know that it’s way more than a generic plate of stir-fried rice noodles with a smattering of vegetables and nonspecific Asian-y sauce, labeled “Pad thai.” Thai food is a complex blend of hot, spicy, salty, sour, sweet, smoky, herbaceous, and aromatic flavors that vary throughout different regions of Thailand. We’ve tried to capture some of that diversity in our favorite Thai recipes—from an array of curries to Chinese-influenced stir-fries to light and fresh green papaya salad.
Don’t be daunted by the ingredients list. You can find many items at an Asian grocery store or online, which has become much easier in recent years—plus, pantry items such as chile jam and fish sauce have a decent shelf life. So dive in and give these recipes a try. You might find yourself ditching takeout for homemade real-deal Thai food for your season three White Lotus watch party.