Spicy Shrim -Soup
Tom Yum Goong

Like most Southeast Asian cuisines, Thai cuisine needs no introduction as it’s one of the most popular cuisines in the world. Everything from its soups to its infamous Pad Thai is known to the international world. Walking by a Thai restaurant, you become overwhelmed by the rich smell of the flavours and fragrances of Thai food.

Qatar is home to several restaurants serving various Asian cuisines and Thai cuisine is on top of the list. If you haven’t tried Thai food yet, you better give it a try with the help of this ‘Food File’, where Marhaba tells you what are the Thai dishes you need to try and where:

Tom Yum Goong (Spicy Shrimp Soup)

A bold, refreshing blend of fragrant lemongrass, chilli, galangal, lime leaves, shallots, lime juice and fish sauce shapes this classic soup, giving it its legendary herbal kick. Succulent fresh prawns and straw mushrooms lend it body. A versatile dish that can fit within virtually any meal, the distinctive smell reminds you of exotic perfume, while it’s invigorating sour-spicy-hot taste just screams ‘Thailand’.

Thai Green Cury
Gang Keow Wan

Gang Keow Wan (Green Chicken Curry)

One of the most famous and sought after Thai dishes is Thai green curry. Green curry paste, coconut milk, bamboo shoots, chicken, Thai basil, Thai eggplant and the ever present herbs and roots of Thai cuisine (lemongrass, galangal, lime leaves etc), make this curry an unforgettable blend of delights. It is usually prepared quite soupy so a plate of rice is necessary to sop up every intricate drop.

Kai Jiew Moo Saap (Omelet)

A real Thai comfort food and something everyone can cook is the Thai style omelet. Eggs are beat up with a dash of fish sauce and soy sauce and then minced pork is added. The egg mixture is then deep fried into an omelet that pleases a palette of rice. It is best eaten with a squirt of chili sauce (sauce prik).

pad thai
Pad Thai

Pad Thai (Thai style Fried Noodles)

The default international Thai dish is dropped in a searing hot wok, fistfuls of small, thin or wide noodles to a steamy minute-long dance alongside crunchy beansprouts, onion and egg, before disembarking for the nearest plate, using a quartet of accompanying condiments – fish sauce, sugar, chilli powder and finely ground peanuts.

Kai Med Ma Muang (Chicken with Cashew Nuts)

It’s a widely contrast textured dish that saut’s chicken alongside roasted cashews, sweet soy sauce, onions, chilies, pepper, carrot and mushrooms. Perhaps it’s the sweetening dash of honey that appeals. The important thing is that this dish works – it’s simple but scrumptious, a little bit tame and yet still totally Thai.


Marhaba Picks: Hotels and independent restaurants, offering Thai cuisine in Qatar (in no particular order):

  • Amjad Thai Snack and Massage Restaurant (V/NV), Al Nasr St (Al Mirqab Al Jadeed) | 4432 9704
  • Elements (Arabic, Asian, Indian and Seafood, V/NV), Four Seasons Hotel Doha | 4494 8600
  • Far East Restaurant (Chinese and Thai, V/NV), Markhiya Complex, Khalifa Street, Markhiya | 4487 1313
  • Isaan Thai Restaurant (V/NV), Grand Hyatt Doha Hotel & Villas | 4448 1250
  • Jasmine Thai Restaurant (V/NV), Souq Waqif | 4443 1601
  • Maison De Sushi (V/NV), Multiple locations | 7050 1386
  • Market By Jean Georges (Japanese, Thai, Italian and Asian, V/NV), W Doha Hotel & Residences | 4453 5000
  • Sabai Thai (V/NV), The Westin Doha Hotel & Spa | 4492 1555
  • Saffron, Banyan Tree Doha | 4410 3310
  • Spice Market (South East Asian cuisine, V/NV), W Doha Hotel & Residences | 4453 5135, spicemarketdoha.com
  • Thai Kitchen Restaurant & Bar, Centara West Bay Hotel & Residences Doha | 4009 5530
  • Thai Smile (V/NV), Umm Ghuwailina | 4441 5222, 4431 6466
  • The Noodle House (South East Asian cuisine, V/NV), City Center-Doha | 4411 5063
  • The Rice and The Noodle (V/NV), Souq Waqif | 4415 5185, 7063 6023
  • Wok of Fame (Arabian, Italian, Spanish, Mexican, Thai, Filipino, Indian and Chinese, V/NV), Villaggio Mall | 4413 4772, wokoffameqatar.com

Sources: Zomato, CNN and Bangkok.com

Author: Ola Diab

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