Best & Worst Thai Food According to a Thai Chef

[@PailinsKitchen]

Hello lovely viewers! I hope you enjoy this video! Here are recipes for all of the dishes mentioned: Green Curry hot-thai-kitchen.com/green-curry-new-2/ Tom Yum hot-thai-kitchen.com/tom-yum-goong/ Beef & Broccoli hot-thai-kitchen.com/beef-and-broccoli/ Cashew Chicken hot-thai-kitchen.com/cashew-chicken/ Rad Na hot-thai-kitchen.com/rad-na/ Pad See Ew hot-thai-kitchen.com/pad-see-ew-new/ Green Papaya Salad hot-thai-kitchen.com/papaya-salad-v3/ Hat Yai Fried Chicken hot-thai-kitchen.com/hat-yai-fried-chicken/ Tom Kha Gai hot-thai-kitchen.com/tom-ka-gai/ Pad Kee Mao hot-thai-kitchen.com/pad-kee-mao-2/ Boat Noodles hot-thai-kitchen.com/boat-noodles/ Chicken Satay hot-thai-kitchen.com/chicken-satay/ Yum Pladook Foo hot-thai-kitchen.com/yum-pla-duk-foo/ Mango Sticky Rice hot-thai-kitchen.com/mango-sticky-rice/ Pad Gaprao (Pad Kra Pao) hot-thai-kitchen.com/holy-basil-stir-fry/ Laab hot-thai-kitchen.com/laab-moo/ Pad Thai hot-thai-kitchen.com/best-pad-thai/

[@Robespierre-lI]

Every time I hear proper Thai pronunciation, I realize I would really like to learn the basics of the language. It's so distinctive. But I wouldn't get very far into it. That writing system is a beast.

[@Robespierre-lI]

P.S. the first Thai dish I ever tried was in Boston and I was only 18. I had no idea what I was ordering and got Pad Gaprow. It was so spicy for me at the time, that I was crying. Lol. And I've been in love with Thai food ever since.

[@Usctrojanduo]

We missed you and I would love for you to post new content weekly. My husband is Thai and I am trying to up my Thai cooking game. I am a master at soul food and other classic American dishes. This California girl needs your help. Wishing you, Adam and the kids a fabulous 2024. #foodnetwork @foodnetwork #newtvstar #pailinsthaikitchen

[@Чапаев-Василь]

Hi Pailin. I'm subscribed for almost 2 years now an enjoying this channel ever since. Picturesque, explicitly, knowledgeable, useful, practical and nicely presented. Uncle Roger also referred to your expertise when mocking Jamie Olver’s green curry. It was something like …”If you want to learn to cook green curry, go watch Hot Thai Kitchen” As for this particular video, could you please supplement the description with the Tier List in written, rather than only graphical form with no dish names in the body of the video. This will be useful as a quick ref when going to a Thai restaurant. Thank you.

[@mikedavis9724]

Hi, big fan. I have seen a couple of red curry videos from a while back, but would you mind updating and going into a deep-dive for making red curry with maybe different proteins and vegetables? It would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

[@uttopya1]

One of my favourite Laotian/ Thai places in Paris got complaints because their Papaya salad was too spicy, the new waitress apologised to us before she served it, it was pretty mild. I'm fed up with these people who ruin dishes for the rest of us. Don't be so sure about Pad kra pao, I recently ordered one at a new place and they forgot to put any chilli in it at all..... or any basil.

[@edwarddeatley1117]

In regards to papaya salad, it’s really just a matter of telling the waiter how spicy you like it. No spice, foreigner spice, or Thai style. Also, I’ve had really delicious mango sticky rice here in Northern California during the summer months. My favorite is Lao/issan style with the dark little crab pounded into the dish.

[@Aeonleaf]

​@@edwarddeatley1117 It's also very common for the locals in Thailand to taste the papaya salad while the hawker is pounding the salad to ensure they get the right taste.

[@jshoota19ify]

​@edwarddeatley1117 Yes, I live in the northern California Central Valley as well. We are very fortunate to have many very good Southeast Asian restaurants. Now, after watching this video, I'm gonna keep an eye out for those elite tier dishes.

[@bacca71]

My experience in Thailand and throughout Isaarn was when you order som tahm, you specify how hot/sour you want it. pet-piew, for 'hot & sour' or pet-pet piew-piew for 'really spicy and really sour.' Also a more specific qualifier by specifying by how many chili peppers you want pounded into your papaya salad - maximum in Bangkok usually about 8 chili peppers, but in Isaarn specifying 15 chili peppers not uncommon (and my personal maximum in the old days). Since it's made to order by dish it should be easy to be specific as to how spicy and tart you want it. Should be this way in North American Thai restaurants, but it is not always so, unless you are familiar with the staff and owners.

[@nightwing4872]

I went to a Japanese restaurant and the wasabi tasted like starch and no trace of horseradish. When I asked for another one they said all of it is the same because ppl complained that it was too strong 🤯

[@ZeroFox0909]

So happy to see Pad Thai on the D-list. Restaurants, take note, stop cutting corners on ingredients.

[@zippity888]

so true in Australia , no dry prawn and rarely any garlic chive... and charge 24 dollars in my town.

[@g.e.boroush5176]

Completely agree with you. The same occurs with Drunken Noodles. One gets served a plate of greasy wide noodles with 3 bean sprouts and we're supposed to rave about it? SO disappointing! And if a restaurant does that to me, I don't go back. My brother and I found a wonderful Drunken Noodle dish in Boston in a little hole in the wall spot with LOTS of vegg, spice, etc. It is heaven and every Drunken Noodle dish is compared to that one. I'm tired of spending good money for a boring plate of greasy noodles - don't go back!

[@greenislandserenade1]

they need to stop subbing ketchup for tamarind paste 😭

[@songhoang4120]

Can you tell me the name of the restaurant in Boston? I'd like to visit@@g.e.boroush5176

[@failtolawl]

Cutting corners? My guy the whole point of Pad Thai was cutting corners. It was invented for a food shortage.

[@SenyaiGrubs]

If Yum Pladook Foo didn’t end up in s-tier I was going to riot

[@deadfr0g]

Well, well, well! If it isn’t my third-favourite bean influencer. 😀

[@llocz1jq]

😂😂😂😂

[@eskipotato]

thanks for putting me on Pad Grapao

[@Anonanimous]

I really like Pailin’s attitude and approach to this tier list because she made it in a way that optimizes the best Thai experience one could get, in her opinion. This is reflective on the entire channel, which is why I love watching it so much, because it feels like a celebration to Thai culture and how Pailin guides the audience through Thai cuisine with her own experience and highlights the best aspects of it. 🎉

[@anarey-oktay2683]

I’ve never been disappointed in a Mom&Pop Thai restaurant. Where one spouse is front of house, the other is in the kitchen, and the kids/cousins are waiting tables. Those places make me feel like I’m a guest in their home. Always, the food is excellent.

[@vincent-lane]

This is my experience as well. So grateful

[@musicloveranthony]

What an awesome video. This was so fun to watch!! I’m so grateful to live in Minneapolis/St Paul Minnesota. We have Thai restaurants run by people from various ethnicities (Thai, Karen, Isan, Hmong) and have large southeast Asian populations (Thai, Hmong, Cambodian, Vietnamese, Lao) that help drive demand for quality food and quality restaurants. I’ve tried dozens of Thai restaurants over my lifetime here and of course some haven’t been great, but some are really great and I find they seem to really excel at a few dishes. Some of my favorite dishes are nam thok kor moo yang (only one restaurant here serves it), nam khao, papaya salad (HOT and sour as it should be), laab of course, sour sausage, and I love pad kana moo grop!!

[@Ajhmee]

I'm Thai and I want to confirm about Som Tum (Papaya salad). Thai people want to eat Som Tum when they want something spicy, really spicy. For me it should done with 20+ bird eye chilis or dry red chilis. If Thai people order Som tum and it turn out it is not spicy enough, we have to do it again another day to fix it, to make ourself sweaty so we satisfy. กินส้มตำไม่เผ็ดแล้วมันคาใจ 😆

[@baoTAEfuL]

As a Hmong person, I also agree. When I want papaya salad, I want to hurt a little and satisfy my umami funky spicy cravings. When I make it, I don’t count how many peppers I use, I just grab handfuls. 😁

[@OoMASEoO]

Yes most places make it only taste of fish sauce and sugar 🤢

[@bobbysmith8095]

They would be out of business in North America then lol

[@hailhummus]

Yeah I wish I knew that before eating it in Bangkok, thinking it would be something 'fresh' to deal with the humidity 😂

[@Aibahm]

I'm surely a strange Thai as I can't stand eating spicy food and enjoy eating Papaya Salad with just a half or 1 chilli. haha

[@loparoychoudhuri2716]

Pailin, among others, your Pad Thai recipe IS the bomb! I tried and tried to make it right before I came across your video. I was simply amazed with the results when I followed your recipe. And now it is a staple at our home. - A huge fan.

[@wendyellis6402]

I did this, too. I’m always disappointed if I order pad Thai at a restaurant.

[@lofiben]

It's interesting to see this list play out because I'm looking at it from a restaurateur perspective. When my parents had their restaurants, Pad Thai was easily the most popular dish ever. There wasn't a single day out of the 13 years my parents opened that restaurant that we didn't sell Pad Thai. Interestingly enough, Lad Na was a dish we featured in the second restaurant in an Asian majority area and by far the people who ordered that the most were Thai people themselves. We served boat noodles in both the white majority and Asian majority area restaurants and that proved to be very popular among everyone.

[@Krossfyre]

The thing I kind of disagree on is any dish that's stir fried, if they're using a wok and a big burner they can achieve wok hei much more easily than you can. That's an element that's hard to capture at home, unless you're cooking in batches like Kenji recommends, but then you're cooking in batches, which is a bit of a pain. I don't think it really changes the rankings, but it does mean that if their ingredients are decent then they're often a step above what you can achieve at home without more effort.😊

[@VicBattlefield]

My one month stay in Thailand was hardly long enough to go through all of the culinary delights this country has to offer. I hope to come back again soon and continue my expedition in this delightful cuisine. In the meantime, I’ll be back home, trying out the different recipes I get from Hot Thai Kitchen. Thank you very much for your great videos in 2023, Khun Palin! Happy New Year 2024🥳

[@siffrin_]

... some of the things you were describing talking about pad thai made me realize just how lucky i was growing up near a really good thai restaurant. the idea of a super sweet or *ketchup* pad thai is just wild to me. was always more of a pad gaprao (or maybe pad kee mao) type of person though... lots of recipes in this video to try out!

[@arguello6789]

Pailin is not only a extraordinary chef it is a wonderful and charismatic person. I love her´s recipies and followed her for may years. Greetings from Quito Ecuador

[@HenryFromWob]

Thank you Pai for the great video! 😊 For those who are looking for a particular dish: 0:00 Intro 1:22 Tier categories 3:16 Curries 4:50 Tom Yum 5:33 Meats & Veggies Stir-Fries 6:24 Rad Na 7:42 Pad See Ew 8:54 Green Papaya Salad 9:56 Hat Yai Fried Chicken 10:58 Tom Kha Gai 11:37 Pad Kee Mao 12:18 Boat Noodles 13:18 Chicken Satay 14:44 Yum Pladook Foo 16:09 Mango Sticky Rice 17:04 Pad Gaprao 18:05 Laab 18:40 Pad Thai 20:36 Conclusion

[@ricklee5845]

Thank you Henry for the breakdown!

[@edwarddeatley1117]

This was one of the funnest cooking videos I have seen in a very long time. Such a clever topic and so well produced. I lived and worked in Thailand for five years, and the only thing I really miss is the food. I also would consider papaya salad to be the national dish of Thailand, hands down.

[@LVgamb00ler]

What.... you don't miss the white knuckle urban driving experience? 555

[@edwarddeatley1117]

@@LVgamb00ler I was crazy enough to ride a motorcycle to work each day in bkk!!??!

[@LVgamb00ler]

@@edwarddeatley1117 I live in Chiang Mai for 4 years now. Driving is much better here than BKK. I'm a long time biker....45 years. Must always be ready to cede part of my lane to opposite direction vehicles

[@jesspoole1105]

Love this video. I grew up in Australia where the Thai food is so good and then moved to the USA and this totally tracks with my experience in Thai restaurants across North America. Basically use your recipes exclusively now to replicate the food we miss so much from home.

[@Bmonkeygurl]

The BEST Thai thing I ever ate was a soft shell crab stur fry type thing I had in Bangkok. I fell in love with green peppercorns. My inlaws ruined most Thai restaurant food for me...hahaha With exception: the Pad Woon Sen at our local place is so yumny.

[@Jodabomb24]

I stopped ordering pad thai out once I started making Pai's recipe! It takes a little longer to put together than other dishes but it tastes so good and it always makes me happy to eat a big pile of noodles and vegetables and peanuts.

[@parinceo]

Good padthai is difficult to find even in Thailand 😅 agree with most of the list except the mango sticky rice. I find the rice is rarely done right abroad. It’s almost always too mushy.

[@thicclord848]

Even in Thailand, there's a good chance that sticky rice is not that good too. Whenever I wanted to eat mango sticky rice I had a place specialized for sticky rice and another for mango.

[@lemonysnickette]

I worked in a thai restaurant and was always disappointed in our rice. Seems difficult to mess up but we always did..

[@TheTickyTickyTicky]

There's a pad thai place in my hometown hidden in a narrow alley that only opens on a whim. The dish had nothing but noodle and egg, but the taste and the chewiness of the noodle were divine.

[@dalem6597]

You should try Kamkwas pad Thai from New Zealand, best in the world 🌎!!!

[@dalem6597]

@theclevedonfarmersmarket

[@koloco]

I've found Pad Gaprao (holy basil stir fry) to be a reliable and tasty choice even traveling in Thailand. Out of the way place, no English spoken.....Very nice effort, thoroughly enjoyed it!

[@4D1989]

That's my favourite, I have to beg for my local Thai restaurant to mince the beef rather than strips. That's how I had it in Thailand but pork instead. Nice to make at home too

[@Hubajube]

There's a Chinese restaurant here in Cleveland called Siam Cafe. They do a few Thai and Vietnamese dishes as well as Chinese. When they opened years ago, Thai food was just making big inroads, so they called it Siam Cafe! In any case, their version of this which they call "Hot Basil Grounded Pork" is the best of their Thai dishes. Properly spicy.

[@Wormsie]

Looking at what ended up on the S-tier, the lesson seems to be "don't go to bad Thai restaurants". 😄 Where I live, stir fried noodle dishes are something you should never order, because none of the restaurants bother frying the noodles. Curries, salads and stir fries tend to be good.

[@octobersix]

One tell that always made me suspect of a Stateside Thai eatery was seeing chopsticks as part of the place setting. You're right about catering to local tastes. There's Nong's Khao Mung Gai, in Portland OR, which offers peanut sauce as an survival option!

[@Basically_Veggies]

I hardly sub to any channels, but I subbed to yours Pailin. Really love all the helpful content and the vibe of the channel. Thank you!

[@SamDobrow]

I love your insights (and recipes). My family prefers me to cook Thai rather than going to a restaurant. One of their favorites is Pad Prik Khing with homemade with chili sauce from scratch. I'm surprised this didn't at least make it to your A or C list.

[@pjab1133]

This was very fun to watch and I love your crisp comments and your sense of humor ! 😘😍😂

[@randolphpinkle4482]

While working at a Thai-Muslim high school in Narathiwat, Thailand, my colleagues took me to a tiny restaurant that served a mind-blowing tom yang kung. It was so spicy but balanced that it felt like a laughing narcotic. We ate, joked, and laughed. What a time. Sanuk.

[@zakuradragon]

I’ve also used to order Pad Thai at every Thai restaurant I visited in the U.S. as benchmark, and it’s always made like a dessert!

[@writingraven3314]

What an enjoyable video. I love that you included your recipes in the comments. I would love to see more videos like this.

[@tayntp]

Good ‘Pad Thai’ are only find in specialty restaurants that only cook ‘Pad Thai’ (or has Pad See Ew along with it) rather than general places that has Pad Thai on the menu, even in Thailand. Same with ‘Rad Na’, I think it requires time and patience to cook the gravy to get the right thickness texture and flavors. If it isn’t a specialty place for Rad Na and have it with other type of Thai dishes, they often rush the process to get the order in time so most of the time it comes out too watery or lack of flavors. Added: First time in Sydney, I surprised by broccoli(some places even added carrots) in Pad Kraprao, which is an unusual experience for a Thai person.

[@Zebeeze]

Broccoli and carrot in pad kraprao? I've had my share of dodgy Thai food, but I've never seen that here in Sydney...

[@tayntp]

@@Zebeeze Got that from lunch/diner style of Thai restaurant nearby the UTS, tho. Felt different from other restaurants on Campbell St or Pitt St that are more authentic.

[@Zebeeze]

​@@tayntp interesting! Maybe they were selling it cheap for the students so put the veges in to save money 😂

[@carriegrier4032]

I love this video. I am definitely saving this video because I often choose the wrong foods while ordering Thai and end up disappointed. The Pad Thai review is spot on. It is always too sweet when I've ordered it. I made your Mango Sticky Rice and it is absolutely delicious! Your recipe is the only recipe that I used for this dish. I look forward to making more of your recipes.

[@disteve]

Hi Pailin. Love your channel! Thai food is our favourite hands down. We have eaten in the top Thai restaurants in Paris, London, NYC, Las Vegas (unfortunately never been to Thailand) but our favourite restaurant is a small place out in Pitt Meadows called Pad Thai. Have you heard of it? I believe two sisters from southern Thailand run it and they are fantastic. The food is delicious and I would love to hear a comparison to the real Thai cuisine. Their Thai fried rice is so good I dream about it. We also love the Pad Thai and the Green Curry Chicken is a must. Love to hear your opinion. Thanks and Happy New Year

[@jessepratt1541]

Such a fun video, I loved it! In my personal experience, Laab has been a B or C tier. It's so easy to make and many places I've been to completely mess it up. As an aside, I can't thank you enough for your videos and books. Because of you, I've learned how to make my absolute favorite dishes on the planet.

[@mercurywoodrose]

I think I burnt out on Thai food decades ago because it was the same dishes over and over possibly at mediocre San Francisco Bay area restaurants. I recently rediscovered it and I want to try it more. You are an amazing presenter. I’m captivated by how you talk about the food, and remember I’ve been watching cooking shows since Julia Child . it suddenly dawning on me that I have absolutely no idea how to think about any of these Southeast Asian cuisines as my brain is mostly organized around Chinese Japanese and Indian. I think there’s a philosophy or an aesthetic behind Thai food, which is absolutely unique when you get past the commercial aspects of it, I’ll definitely watch more of your videos

[@DaigurenXHyourinmaru]

Would love a tier list for accessibility. So how likely to be able to get the ingredients for, make successfully (not so tricky) and maybe factor in how adventurous the flavours might be. S rank is for "Start Here,"

[@z911empire]

GREAT video, great idea, very excited to try the fried chicken and fried fish fluff dish those look amazing! The only one I disagree with is Larb, I would go max B-tier there, I’ve had more bad ones than good ones!

[@alexwansss]

I often order the drunken noodles at restaurants just to see where they're at with their flavor balances, and if they get it right, most of the time the rest of the menu is great.

[@Cega1985]

I am shook... Pad Thai is my go too, and a lot of them are sticky sweet. But now I'm wondering if the good ones I've had are actually trash and now I am having an existential crisis

[@ecor150]

Lol I never had good pad thai in America

[@Cega1985]

@@AndyL940 It's on my list when I can afford a passport and international travel

[@Kwippy]

A lot of Thai people like their pad thai sweet. I don't myself but if you like it sweet,, then you are like the majority of Thais.

[@gerardacronin334]

Maybe you could try making it at home using Pai’s recipe!

[@stsotika]

Pad thai is actually supposed to be dry texture not wet texture annnnnnd not much sweet . Oh if you see restarant put Ketchup in padthai pls ruuun !!!😂

[@ariellunna]

I'm colombian, but I really enjoy this episode. Thank you so much for teaching us.

[@skatingcanuck9837]

Most of these dishes I cook at home thanks to your recipes Pailin. I grow lemongrass, thai chilis, and holy basil in my summer garden. I very rarely go out to eat in Thai restaurants here in Canada because those dishes have been often ruined due to the North American palate. When I cook at home I use authentic ingredients and HTK recipes so consistent success!

[@star13r1te]

I have found my favourite food from Thailand, khao man gai, at a Thai restaurant only once and it was so disappointing. When I lived in Korat, there was a vendor at the night market and all they made was khao man gai. It was so good. I miss it so much

[@itsgoingtobeok-justbreathe4808]

That's b/c it is a specialized dish and most places that serve it (here and in Thailand) --only-- serve that dish . Most places that have it as part of a large menu don't do it right. If you're in Portland, def. try Nong's Khao Man Gai.

[@Kwippy]

There are numerous KZbin recipes for khao man gai. Nearly all will not mention MSG. In SE Asia, this dish is always made with liberal amounts of MSG. You can make it without MSG but it will not taste like you get in Singapore and Thailand.

[@annebarder9554]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge in a vestern-friendly way. I would love it if you made a video on all the kinds of vegetables that are less well known for us vesterlings.. Greatings from Denmark, where we eat a lot of potatoes 🥱

[@riskassure]

Thank you for the tip! You inspired me to seek out some of the harder to find (S-tier) dishes in my area (Los Angeles), and I’m very happy that I’m able to find them!!

[@Eastlife21]

I was hoping to see khao soi in the list. When I visited Chiang Mai, it was soooo good it became my favourite Thai dish.

[@BLAZERYT2001]

Pailin doesn’t understand but when u post u brighten up people day I just want to say thanks for that

[@NoName-vq3zo]

These are good and accurate ratings. I am not Thai but had the pleasure of having Thai friends who would graciously invite me to their homes for amazing and authentic Thai food. Having tasted those I too get angry and disappointed by the cloyingly sweet junk that is served by so many Thai restaurants to please the American or Western palate. It is unfortunate that these restaurants choose to do that when the authentic flavors are so mind blowingly delicious!

[@chiga3388]

S: Hat Yai Fried Chicken, Boat Noodles, Yum Pladook Foo A: Tom Yum, Tom Kha Gai, Mango Sticky Rice, Pad Gaprao, Laab B: Meat and Veggie Stir Fry, Green Papaya Salad, Chicken Satay C: Curries, Pad See Ew, Pad Kee Mao D: Rad Na, Pad Thai

[@peterdoe2617]

So. Much. Fun. To watch this! I do have your mail addy from another comment I made. For turn of the year I wanna make fishcake. In a slightly different way. But it reminds me of making my goulash. Nothing in common with the original from Hungary. *My* goulash. Breaking almost every rule. Every time I visit the US: I have to cook it at least once. But I wanna try out restaurants, following your advice. (And look up some more of your recipes.) A good experience we had: asking our waiter about his favourite dishes. That one turned out fantastic! (At a mexican restaurant in Ponca City. I'm german. I had no idea about what to order. My wife lived there. Even she was over the moon. She had never ordered these.) If a waitress/waiter can't answer that question: better leave that place. Instantly. Happy new year 2024!

[@rebeccawhitney3539]

Thanks so much! I love your channel, and have learned so much! One of the most useful recipes is your make ahead pad thai sauce.... now, no one in my family has since ordered Pad Thai in a restaurant.😘

[@Mijzelffan]

As a vegetarian my main takeaway is not to bother with the Thai restaurant and try to make the dishes myself instead haha. I will give the green curry recipe you listed a try soon!

[@brentminick1]

The tier concept of this video is top tier. Really enjoyed the format and feedback from this one!! Great info!

[@sts0868]

Haha - I had to laugh because I knew when you picked Pad Thai the first time, that this will land in the Tier "D". Thanks for that video, I liked it very much. Have a good start into the New Year - I am looking forward to 2024 to find out what new topics you will find for your chanel

[@Shaden0040]

The best Thai dessert I have ever had is fried banana in Wanton with coconut Shredded coconut With a honey red chili sauce Dipping sauce. It is fantastic you take a piece of banana wrap it up in a piece of one ton with some sweetened coconut shredded coconut With the banana Wrap it up deep pet fry it And then let it drain on some paper towels For a couple of minutes And in the mean time you get your honeysauce or you get your honey Hey get your red chili paste Sometimes they have a red chili like jelly It's almost like a jelly you can use either one of those and it's got the flakes of the red pepper and the seeds in it and you mix that in with the honey then you take your pieces and you dip it into that and you eat it It is fantastic one of the best worldwide desserts I have ever had. hands down it's on par with Baklava and cheesecake In its deliciousness

[@friendosal6017]

I’ve been making your Pad Thai recipe with 🦐 and I can’t even order Pad Thai in a restaurant anymore. Yours is so good and fresh!

[@kenchung6007]

Was surprised by the figma file! Our girl Pailin is a designer? As always, love your energy and presentation. And interesting to know the differences between UK and North American Thai food

[@stevenrldenault7451]

Super topic and video. Always great to hear your honest reviews. In Winnipeg we have only a handful of Thai places, so I’ll be seeing how many of the S & A dishes are available. Thank you, Steve

[@xnonsuchx]

One of the dishes not mentioned that I really like is pad prik king. When I look online, Wikipedia and other places says it’s a red curry paste based dish, but all the restaurants I’ve had it in say it’s a brown sauce (and spicy or garlicky?).

[@mordanlike]

Happy New Year! I hope that it'll make you happy that I have made many a meal following your recipes, and it has always turned out impressive to the people I've cooked for. I couldn't have done it without you! Kob khun krap!

[@bennypaulino9506]

Great presentation. Now I know what to order in a Thai Restaurant. Thank you

[@arnoldsands1610]

You are so right about Pad Thai. I first tasted Pad Thai from a restaurant next door to my store. It was delicious, I didn't realize how lucky I was. Since then, I've have tried Pad Thai at every Thai restaurant and been very disappointed.

[@tbirdparis]

There used to be a place here in Paris that did the most legit Pad Thai I've ever had outside of Thailand. The irony was that this was at least 15 years ago when Thai restaurants were almost non existent in this city and most people's idea here of Thai food was a completely fake version served in Chinese restaurants that had "Chinese/Thai/Vietnamese" written on their signage (those terrible faux Asian restaurants still exist here btw). Anyway, we only discovered this good place because a friend who worked at L'Oréal head office had a colleague from Thailand who told her about this restaurant and vouched for the Thai chef there. Everything on the menu was at least very good, and the dishes that weren't just good were excellent. The Pad Thai was phenomenal right down to the presentation, with different elements arranged around the noodles like a little pinch of salt, a little pile of tiny dried shrimp and all the other trimmings. Sad this restaurant's no longer around, we have a lot more Thai in Paris now but some (not all) of it is more on the trendy side than the good side.

[@IrnBruNYC]

Pailin, do you think this tier list would be useful in a city known for good Thai food (e.g. Los Angeles, New York, etc)?

[@coolnewpants]

I'm not Pailin but in Los Angeles at least, this list still applies. That sickly sweet pad-thai still shows up a lot even though folks ought to know better.

[@SkyOctopus1]

The stir fry had broccoli in it! I have a recollection you told us that if there's broccoli, it's probably Americanised and best avoided. Yes, I've been paying attention ;)

[@elsazamparelli1947]

OMG what a great one. All programs are great but this one was unique and very informative. Thanks as always!

[@Dirkschneider]

While I'm not in North America (but in Sweden) I would definitely lower the ranking on the Pad Grapao. Like you said: Some restaurants don't even use Holy Basil. Second, this is almost never served as 'sab' (small pieces) over here. It will definitely be better if you're in a proper restaurant but at a Take Away this dish almost always disappoint. You will get big chunks of meat bathing in oil, water and soy sauce together with way too much vegetables like broccoli, carrots and bamboo. This dish is so easy to do right yourself so it is definitely a C for me.

[@sandrajensen2047]

Agreed, when I have had it in Vancouver it ALWAYS has assorted vegetables in with the meat - anything from bamboo shoots to bell peppers to pea pods.

[@adidog6243]

Honestly, between Pailin's channel and Cookbooks, I'd put nearly all on the C list. Although getting the ingredients can be a major pain in the Bot Bot. To the extent, I've found it easier growing many of them in my garden. All the best to all for '24.

[@stevo-dx5rr]

Great list! Pad Thai is A-Tier here in Seattle. Lots of places do it right, though you do still find some restaurants serving the gloopy and vile ketchup-based variant. I need to find a place that has some of the specialty items you mentioned to go and try! Last thing; delivery and dine in are two different experiences, and I tend to avoid ordering certain foods (e.g. fried things) for delivery that I would otherwise order when we go out. You almost need two lists!

[@raquelnewby6580]

I am so blessed to live by a Thai restaurant that has great pad Thai! It is the dish I order almost every time and it is the only place I can order good pad Thai. Thank you for making this video though because I may need to open up and try more new things on the menu.

[@colinmills3175]

Hi Pai Thank you for letting me be patreon ❤ Quite a eventful 2923 Happy New Year Colin 🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@colinmills3175]

2023

[@clintj]

I leave for Thailand tomorrow and will be spending a few days in Bangkok before I return home. I will be right down the right from Pollo Chicken - a place highly rated for their Hat Yai Chicken... I cannot wait to try!

[@ursaminor3740]

Good! Holiday begins this weekend and I’ll order your Super Choice Trio at my local Thai place as the starter!))

[@Sheb24]

Also, looking through the menu of my favourite local thai place and delighted to see that they serve rad na. However, my favourite dish from that place is ba mee heng~

[@erikd6487]

Yeah, finally I difficult recipe 😊 I have all the spices except the long pepper, which I go look for this week, thank you Pai

[@mrpbody44]

Our local restaurant in Waycross GA Thai Smile has the best curry. We make it at home and it is pretty good but theirs is fantastic and spicy. Lucky to have one of the best Thai restaurants close to us. Great list and we will look for some of these dishes.

[@ejudeandrew]

WOW ! So happy to see you(Virtually) after so many years. I was just walking by Corriander last month that closed in the mall. Take Care - Jude

[@picanchilada]

Can't stop thinking about MUAY THAI when watching your videos 😆🥊 There is actually a Thai Express (You probably know it, as it's located in pretty much every food court in Canada) across the road from my gym, where all the guys would go there for Pad Thai as a post-training ritual. Hopefully one day they may be saved by your channel 🙏

[@helenswan705]

Started loading a comment on my tablet but it could not cope. This is so interesting! I live in UK so I do not know how comparable. I live in a small town, we do not have a Thai takeaway nor a restaurant. We do not even have an Indian takeaway or restaurant. But I can buy a good range of condiments and a good range of fresh stuff - including I recently found fresh Galangal!!! At Christmas I made Tom kha kai, vegetarian and not with all the right ingredients, but it was pretty darn good. Thanks for all your hard work.

[@FredricPrager]

I've been following your videos since forever and you have turned me into a pretty decent Thai cook. Of course living in Bangkok for 14 years makes sourcing ingredients fairly easy. I happen to be Pad Siew addict and your recipe, broken down into individual portions, is some of the best I've had here. I'm a street food person, rarely going to "farang' restaurants as they try to tone things down way to much, that is except the prices. Keep up the good work and show some more pictures of Tiger! With Metta!

[@ghostcritic8508]

My mom Pad See Ew is so phenomenal and i just wonder where she got her recipe and i just todays knew its auntie pailin recipe. Its very yummy and satisfying i really love it as a reward mostly after exam and i pestering my mom to cook it for me. It truly the best recipe

[@colinmills3175]

🙏🏽 Pai So pleased to have discovered you and your channel 👍I l adore Thai cuisine and would love to learn from you and Kaan ❤❤ Colin 🇬🇧

[@awilli20tony]

Great video and solid choices. You also made it fun to watch. I will definitely check out your recipes and stay tuned in. Thank you!!!!❤❤❤❤

[@lorthomas160]

Completely agree with Pad Thai! Nothing like eating it in Thailand, or making it at home (YOUR recipe 😊). I’ve never had a good pad Thai.

[@5Komma5]

Som Tam is my goto dish to try out a restaurant. I know the restaurant is not worth going to when it lacks dried shrimps, add things like kohlrabi or don't serve it with rice. I have tried most Thai restaurants in my city and there are only 3 out of over 20 that make a really good Som Tam.

[@mon6745]

I love this video concept - also because its a cool list of recipies all linked in the description 😊

[@karendegraaf3572]

Great video and very useful, thank you! I am making more and more of my own Thai food so do want to stretch it if I'm at a restaurant, but this has some really good warnings for N American places!

[@jonfranklin4583]

Love this ranking, love your video's! Have used some of your recipe's and they have all been very good, thank you!

[@andrewpratt1553]

Hi Pailin! Where would you place Pad Ped on your tier list? I've only had it in one local restaurant, but it gave me an exquisite, out-of-body (due to the extreme and delicious heat) experience! Thanks! Andrew in Charlottesville, VA

[@mutt1112]

so i pulled up the menus for the 3 Thai places around me and none had the S rated stuff , but they did have the A list items. and 2 of them I had, now to try the other 4 Thanks Pailin

[@olyman63]

Happy New Year to you. Your shows are so amazing. Thank you for sharing this with us. Have a wonderful day.

[@rhiannonrecommends]

For a chunk of my adulthood I lived in a small toen rural area that the only option for any sort of Asian food was those classic Americanized Chinese places. I mean you'd have to travel for almost 2 hrs to find a Thai restaurant. So I found your channel and I counted some 70 something recipes of yours that I've made, most of which are on rotation for me. Once I moved to the city and tried a few places I was like meh... and jusy continued making everything at home :)

[@lindas.8036]

Thank you for the videos. I always enjoy them and usually learn something new!

[@phuonglinhao1638]

You're so right about boat noodles, even outside of America. I cannot find a single restaurant having that dish that is authentic in Hanoi. I am so into it, but can only enjoy on my next trip to Bangkok 😢😢

[@Zebeeze]

Love this! Helpful and clever

[@NDemanuele1]

Awesome Video! In my experience, Tom Yum is a good measure of how good a Thai restaurant is. When I lived in Thailand one of my favorite places to eat were the BBQ shops that specialize in BBQ. I would always order Moo or Gai Yang, Som Tom, and Kow Niaw! My favorite meal! What I don't understand is why in North America aren't there Thai restaurants that focus on BBQ? I would imagine they would be very popular. They could throw in vegan options too and a few quick stir fry dishes. Palin, why aren't these types of restaurants common here in the West? Thanks

[@Emily-zm6qt]

Would love to see you make a recommendation video for Thai restaurants in Vancouver! The best I've had is Kin Kao and most other restaurants don't even come close to the food I had in Thailand. Thanks and love always!!

[@Emily-zm6qt]

I also NEVER order pad Thai because of the pad Thai I had in Thailand. It's crazy how different it tastes here in North America.

[@habib-vq9fl]

What a creative episode !! It's like Thai food card game trivia☺️ I agree especially about pad sieu👍👍

[@kulfi4208]

your videos are so helpful and also a joy to watch! please keep making these 💖💐

[@stuartmayberry666]

Mango with sticky rice was always on the menu at the Thai place I worked at in college but was rarely actually available because if we didn’t have good mangoes we would not serve it. (And in Oregon it’s not easy to find good mangoes.) But when it’s good it is SO good! Great list!

[@divinegracetio]

I live in Dallas, Tx and everything that Pai said was on point. Lol! Thanks Pai!❤

[@karenrobbins6656]

Yes I make your pad see ew! The recipe is great. Thanks for this list! I’ll be thinking of it next time I am at a Thai restaurant