Thai food is known for its bold flavors, fresh herbs, comforting curries, and vibrant street food culture. But learning how to cook Thai food at home does not have to feel overwhelming.
I'm Suwanee, the sole creator behind Simply Suwanee. You may also know me from PBS’s The Great American Recipe or through my work teaching and cooking at Feast World Kitchen in Spokane, Washington.
I was born in Bangkok and raised in Surin Province in northeastern Thailand, also known as Isaan. My recipes are inspired by traditional Thai home cooking while being adapted for everyday American kitchens using accessible ingredients and practical techniques.
Jump to:
- New to Thai Cooking? Start Here First
- Thai Staples, Different Types of Noodles and Rice
- Popular Thai Recipes to Start With
- Learn the Foundations of Thai Cooking
- Thai Pantry Essentials
- Thai Sauces and Flavor Building
- Thai Kitchen Tools
- Explore Thai Food by Region
- My Story
- Join the Simply Suwanee Community
- Thai Food FAQs
- Learn More About Thai Food
On this blog, I share approachable Thai recipes, ingredient guides, cooking tips, and stories inspired by my childhood in Thailand and the meals I grew up eating with my family.
Whether you are completely new to Thai cooking or looking to deepen your understanding of regional Thai cuisine, this page will help guide you through where to begin.
If you are ready to start cooking authentic Thai food at home, you are in the right place!
New to Thai Cooking? Start Here First
If you are just getting started, these guides will help you build confidence in the kitchen while learning the foundations of Thai cooking.
Thai Flavor Guide. Learn how Thai cuisine balances sweet, salty, sour, spicy, bitter, and umami flavors to create depth and harmony in every dish.
Thai Pantry Essentials. Learn about essential Thai ingredients like fish sauce, palm sugar, tamarind, curry paste, coconut milk, rice noodles, and fresh herbs commonly used in Thai cooking.
Beginner Thai Recipes. Start with approachable Thai recipes that use simple techniques and easy-to-find ingredients while still delivering authentic flavor.
Thai Cooking Tips. Learn practical Thai cooking techniques, ingredient substitutions, kitchen tools, and cooking methods that make Thai food easier to recreate at home.
Thai Staples, Different Types of Noodles and Rice
The starches that complete the meal. Learn how to choose and cook them like we do in Thailand:
- Essential Thai Noodles: Learn the different types of Thai noodles and how they are used.
- Types of Thai Rice: Understanding the many variations of rice used in Thai cooking.
Popular Thai Recipes to Start With
These are some of the most popular Thai recipes on Simply Suwanee and great starting points for beginners learning Thai cooking.
- Pad Thai
- Pad See Ew
- Thai Fried Rice
- Thai Basil Chicken (Pad Kra Pao)
- Tom Kha Gai
- Green Curry
- Mango Sticky Rice
- Som Tum Thai
These classic Thai recipes are perfect for starting your Thai food journey while learning about different Thai flavors and techniques used in everyday Thai home cooking.
Learn the Foundations of Thai Cooking
Thai cuisine is deeply connected to balance, freshness, texture, and regional traditions. Understanding the ingredients and techniques behind the food can completely change the way you cook.
Here are some helpful guides to deepen your understanding of Thai cuisine.
Thai Pantry Essentials
Building a small Thai pantry makes cooking much easier and allows you to recreate authentic flavor at home more consistently. From fish sauce to rice noodles, here’s how to stock your pantry for success:
- Palm Sugar Guide
- Tamarind Guide
- The different types of Thai Basil
- What is lemongrass?
- What is galangal
- What is kaffir lime leaves
- Pandan leaves
Thai Sauces and Flavor Building
Thai cooking is often about layering flavors rather than relying on one ingredient alone.
Learn how ingredients like fish sauce, lime juice, tamarind, shrimp paste, garlic, chilies, and herbs work together to create balance.
- Thai Sauces Guide
- Thai Herbs and Aromatics
- Thai Spices to Keep on Hand
- MSG in Thai Cooking
- Pla Ra Guide
Thai Kitchen Tools
You do not need a complicated kitchen to cook Thai food at home, but a few traditional tools can make a big difference.
Explore Thai Food by Region
Thai food is incredibly regional, and many dishes vary depending on where you are in Thailand. Read more about regional Thai food here.
One of my goals with Simply Suwanee is to help preserve and share regional Thai cooking traditions while making them approachable for home cooks around the world.
Isaan Food (Northeastern Thailand)
Isaan cuisine comes from northeastern Thailand and is known for bold flavors, grilled meats, sticky rice, herbs, fermented ingredients, and spicy salads.
As someone raised in Surin Province, Isaan food holds a special place in my heart and plays a large role in the recipes I share.
- Isaan Food Guide
- Som Tum Isaan
- Laab Moo
- Beef Larb
- Sai Krok Isaan
- Sticky Rice
- Crying Tiger
- Gaeng Nor Mai
Central Thai Cuisine
Central Thai cuisine is often what many people outside Thailand recognize most from Thai restaurants, including noodle dishes, curries, and stir fries.
Northern Thai Cuisine
Northern Thai food often features herbal flavors, rich curries, and influences from neighboring countries and mountain communities.
Southern Thai Cuisine
Southern Thai cuisine is known for bold spices, seafood, turmeric, coconut milk, and intensely flavorful curries.
My Story
Food has always been deeply connected to my story, my culture, and my family.
I grew up in a leprosy village in Surin Province, Thailand, where cooking was a central part of daily life and community. Many of the dishes I share today are inspired by meals I grew up eating with my family and recipes passed down through generations.
You can learn more on My About Page.
Thank you for being here and supporting my journey!
Join the Simply Suwanee Community
Want to learn more about Thai cooking? Join my email community and Download my FREE printable: Thai Flavor Guide PDF for beginners. Inside, you will learn:
- How Thai flavors work together
- Essential pantry ingredients
- Beginner cooking tips
- Ingredient substitutions
- Foundational Thai cooking knowledge
Follow me on Pinterest, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram or TikTok! Happy cooking!
Thai Food FAQs
No. Thai food is all about balance. Many dishes can easily be adjusted for spice level while still maintaining authentic flavor.
You can swap with soy sauce in a pinch, but it won’t have the same umami depth. Try ordering one of my favorite brands online.
No! A deep skillet works fine to start. But a well-seasoned wok will give you better flavor and texture over time.
Try Pad Thai, Thai Fried Rice, or Thai Basil Chicken. They’re easy Thai food recipes with big flavor.
Learn More About Thai Food
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