134 | Culture Ways of Life and Wisdom
Thai Set Dishes
Traditional Thai Food
and Eating Culture
The identity of Thai cuisine is not only in its flavor, aroma, appearance and
cookery process, but also includes its nutritious element in each meal through the
combination of food in each meal of each region in order to obtain complete nutrition.
The way of food consumption culture in each region.
People in Thai society generally gather together as a big family. The main
meal for a family is dinner while all family members share a large set of food
together. Thais eat rice as the main food and try to find various side dishes suitable
for the preferences of family members. It is so-called consumable both to eye (for
beauty) and tongue (for taste). Food is normally served in a set of containers for
sharing. Thai set menu is called differently in each region, such as “Sam Rab” in
the Central region; “Hmrab” in Southern region; “Khan-Toak” in Northern region;
and “Pa-Khao” in Isan or Northeastern region.
• Toak or Khan-Toak
• Hmrab
• Pa-Khao