Recipes from the Central Plains: refinement and balance at the heart of Thailand
- InFusion
- 19 hours ago
- 3 min read
A cuisine shaped by tradition and royal influence
The Central Plains, often called Thailand’s rice bowl, is a fertile region nourished by the Chao Phraya River. Its abundance of fresh produce has given rise to a cuisine that is rich, balanced and refined, where flavours are harmoniously combined.
This region is also the birthplace of royal Thai cuisine, known for its precision and elegance. Attention to detail, fine cutting techniques, graceful presentation and perfect balance define its style. The dishes tend to be milder than those of the North or South, with subtle sweetness and depth of flavour that appeal to all palates.
Many of the Thai dishes most recognised abroad come from this region: Tom Yam Kung, Green Curry, Stir-fried Chicken with Ginger and of course Pad Thai.
A tribute to Thai culinary classics
Our book Recipes from the Central Plains gathers fifty signature dishes from this central region, the cradle of modern Thai gastronomy. It presents a refined and diverse cuisine, where coconut milk, fresh herbs and curry pastes blend into harmonious, aromatic dishes.
The curries from the Central Plains are among the most beloved in Thailand. Milder than those from the South, they are creamy and balanced, such as the Mild Green Curry, Panang Curry and Roast Duck Red Curry, all showcasing the elegance of Central Thai flavours.
Soups play an equally important role. The famous Tom Yam Kung, both spicy and tangy, stands beside the milder Tom Kha Kai, enriched with coconut milk. The region is also renowned for its noodle soups, a culinary legacy from Sino-Thai culture, enjoyed from morning to night in markets and street stalls.
Stir-fried dishes and salads complete this culinary palette. Stir-fried Chicken with Ginger, Stir-fried Chicken with Cashew Nuts and Prawns with Tamarind Sauce embody the generosity of everyday Central Thai cooking, while salads such as Glass Noodle Salad (Yam Woon Sen) and Pomelo Salad with Prawns (Yam Som-O) highlight the freshness and balance of the region’s flavours.
Finally, everyday dishes and snacks such as Fish Cakes, Chicken Fritters with Lemongrass or Fried Rice, with pineapple, chilli paste or mackerel, remind us that Central Thai cuisine is above all a cuisine of sharing and simplicity.
Recipes from the Central Plains, part of our regional collection
This book completes our regional Thai cuisine series:
Recipes from the Central Plains
Together, these volumes offer a comprehensive journey through Thailand’s culinary landscape, from the coastal South to the mountainous North.
Discover Central Thai recipes on our blog
Explore some of these recipes on our website:
Starters and snacks
Salads
Glass noodle salad (Yam Woon Sen)
Pomelo salad with prawns (Yam Som-O)
Soups
Curries
Wok stir-fried dishes
Pad Thai, rice and noodles
and of course, the famous Pad Thai.
Learn more: Thai cuisine and cooking classes
Would you like to learn how to prepare these classic Central Thai dishes? Join our private Thai cooking classes in Koh Samui and discover authentic Thai flavours step by step. Visit our Thai Cooking Classes on Koh Samui page for more details.
Discover more about Central Thai cuisine
Find out how Central Thai cuisine gave rise to royal Thai cooking, where every dish expresses harmony between tradition and elegance. Read our article Central Plain Thai cuisine and royal Thai cuisine: terroir, influences and refinement.
Find these recipes in our book
These dishes are featured in our book Recipes from the Central Plains, bringing together fifty emblematic recipes from the heart of Thailand. Available in our InFusion Cooking Classes Koh Samui collection.
A taste of harmony
A tribute to the elegance and depth of Thailand’s Central Plains, where refinement and generosity meet in every dish.
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