Thai cuisines and dishes are among the most popular in the world. Case in point, in 2017, CNN Travel listed seven Thai dishes on the "World's 50 Best Foods", after being voted through an online poll of 35,000 people. They were tom yam goong (fourth), pad thai (fifth), som tam (sixth), massaman curry (10th), green curry (19th), Thai fried rice (24th), and nam tok mu (36th). Thailand has the most dishes on the list.

Many find Thai dishes to be well-balanced with strong aromatic components and a tad spicy. Most make use of prevalent, quintessential Asian ingredients, including lemongrass, galangal, lime, chili, and mint.

Back in 2010, Michelin-starred Australian chef David Thompson described Thai dishes as "the juggling of disparate elements to create a harmonious finish". After spending 25 years researching and cooking Thai food, he called the culmination of ingredients in a bowl or a plate of Thai food similar to "a complex musical chord".

Thai dishes also vary according to the various regions. The country's northern side prefers glutinous rice with thinner curries without coconut milk and cream and is influenced by neighbors Myanmar and Laos. Meanwhile, seafood dishes are popular in the southern side of Thailand. The food is also rich in coconut, sour fruits, and hot chilies. 

If you are unfamiliar with the type of dishes in Thai cuisine and hesitant about trying first-hand experience, you can check out these three Thai restaurants in Jakarta. Check out the authentic flavors of tom (boiled dishes), yam (spicy salads), tam (pounded foods), gaeng (curries), and more — transporting you straight to the Land of Smiles.   

San Thai

San Thai is ready to bring authentic Thai flavor to the table, complete with its vibrant and fun distinctive interiors, which some refer to as "instagramable". 

Dubbed as "modern Thai canteen", it serves iconic Thai dishes, such as pad thai, tom yum soup, pineapple fried rice, and sticky rice with mango for about Rp 260,000 for two people.

 

 

 

 

 

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Currently, it has two highly-rated branches, in Kota Kasablanka Lower Ground level with 875 google reviews and an average of 4.5 stars on google, and Ruko Garden House Pantai Indah Kapuk with 426 reviews and an average of 4.5 stars, proving that the restaurant consistently serves top-notch dishes on the table.

Both branches operate from 11 a.m. through 9 p.m., Monday to Sunday. If you'd like to know more about their menus before visiting, check out their Instagram account @santhai.id.

Thai Alley

The next one on our list is Thai Alley, with two branches spread across Jakarta: the fifth floor of Pacific Place and Summarecon Mall Kelapa Gading.

 

 

 

 

 

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Thai Alley adapts the concept of Bangkok's street food alley, with its interior decorated in a way the beloved alley looks. You will find artificial trees, streetlights, wooden tables, and chairs.

The menu is already approved of Halal by MUI, so Muslim customers need not worry. Vegan options are also available. Dishes range from Rp 50,000 to 287,000. Its specials include tom yum talay, pad thai, tom yum goong, kway teow neua, and Thai coconut ice cream.

Tom Tom

TomTom Kitchen serves classic and traditional Thai cuisine despite its modern and minimalist interior decor. Its head chef even comes straight from Thailand.

 

 

 

 

 

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All of the menu in Tom Tom, from appetizer, main course, to dessert, are authentic dishes from Thailand. In order to keep the authenticity of the dishes, some ingredients are imported from Thailand. Its flavors have received approval from the staff of the Thailand Embassy. 

Some of the favorites at this restaurant are tom yum goong, pad thai, pad prik pao, neah yang, khao khluk khapi, and classic Thai tea. 

Since some of its menus can be shared, you can prepare a budget of approximately Rp 300,000 for two people.

Visit Tom Tom at one of its branches, in Grand Indonesia or Pacific Place.