Must-have ingredients for every Thai household pantry

When you step into a Thai grocery store, the vibrant colours, the vibes and the aromas can transport you straight to the bustling markets in Thailand. Stocking essential Thai ingredients in your kitchen not only enhances your culinary repertoire but also brings the authentic flavours of Thailand to your home. Here are some must-have ingredients that every Thai people have in their household.

1. Fish Sauce (Nam Pla): Fish sauce is the backbone of Thai cuisine, imparting a unique savouriness flavour to a wide variety of dishes. Fish sauce made from fermented fish and salt, this amber-cloured liquid is a staple in sauces, soups and marinades. Here are some popular fish sauce brands in Thailand: Tiparos is the most popular brand. Meanwhile, Megachef has two types; the blue one is gluten-free and the brown one is premium fish sauce.

2. Palm Sugar: Palm sugar is used in most Thai cuisine to balance the flavour. Adding a mellow sweetness that regular sugar cannot provide. It is made from the sap of palm trees and is available in solid cakes or as a paste. You can find them at your local Asian or Thai grocery store.

3. Jasmine Rice: No Thai meal is complete without fragrant jasmine rice. It is the perfect accompaniment to curries, stir-fries, grilled meat, and salads. Look for high-quality Thai Jasmine rice for the best aroma and texture.

4. Oyster Sauce: Oyster sauce is a thick, dark brown condiment made from oyster extracts, sugar, salt, and water, thickened with cornstarch. It has a rich, savoury flavour with a slight sweetness and a hint of umami from the oysters. It is used to add a deep flavour to a variety of Thai dishes, especially stir-fried and marinades. Oyster sauce is commonly used in stir-fried such as Pad See Ew and Pad Khee Mao (Stir-fried flat rice noodles).

5. Soy sauce: Soy sauce used in Thai cuisine has two types light and dark. Light soy sauce is used for marinades, dressings, and seasoning without adding much colour. While dark soy sauce is used for deeper colour and slightly sweet flavour which is suitable for slow-cooked dishes such as braised meats or used in noodle dishes to give a rich and darker colour.

With these essential ingredients, you can create a variety of authentic Thai dishes right in your kitchen. Whether you are making a simple dish or complex dishes, these ingredients from your local Thai grocery store will ensure you have the flavour of Thailand.

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