Are you a lover of Thai food? Would you like to improve your culinary skills by adding Thai menus to your list of dishes? You don’t need to go for a special training course, neither do you need the help of a chef to show you how. In the comfort of your home, you can improve your cooking skills by leveraging the information contained in some of the best Thai cookbooks. Thai food is quite popular among Westerners who do a lot of traveling, and they are some of the most popular Asian recipes served at international restaurants.
Rather than visit some of these restaurants before you can enjoy Thai food, you can prepare them at home with the aid of a cookbook loaded with Thai recipes. Although there are so many cookbooks on sale, we have done the work of searching for some of the best Thai cookbooks around. Do have a look.
Table of Contents
Best Thai Cookbooks
| Image | Best Thai Cookbooks | Rating |
|---|---|---|
 | 1. Thai Food by David Thompson | 99% |
 | 2. Thai Street Food: Authentic Recipes by David Thompson | 96% |
 | 3. Pok Pok: Food and Stories from the Streets by Andy Ricker | 92% |
 | 4. Hot Thai Kitchen by Pailin Chongchitnant | 89% |
 | 5. Maenam: A Fresh Approach to Thai Cooking by Angus An | 85% |
Want to learn more?
Here are our Best Thai Cookbook Reviews.
1. Thai Food by David Thompson
Thai Food is a personal testament to the author’s sojourn in the land of the Thais. David Thompson was not supposed to go to Thailand, but he did, by mistake, and during his time there, he was impressed with the people, the culture, and most importantly, the food. In Thai Food, he introduces the reader to different Thai recipes that he learned how to cook during his time in the East Asian country. By working alongside prominent Thai chefs, he improved his culinary skills, and in his book, he will show you how to do the same.
This book was ten years in the making, and it will not disappoint you. The recipes are authentic and delicious, and you can cook them in the comfort of your home using easily accessible ingredients. Thai food is a combination of classic and modern recipes that broaden your options when choosing which recipe to prepare for your family. There are recipes for breakfast, lunch, and supper.
Who says Thai food is difficult to cook when you have a ready-made companion by your side? David Thompson’s Thai Food is all you need to raise your cooking game from ground zero to A plus.
Why do we like it?
- The recipes are authentic and practical
- A compendium of Thai culture and cuisine
- Encourages the reader to experiment
- Logical presentation of the culinary steps
2. Thai Street Food: Authentic Recipes by David Thompson
David Thompson did not stop with Thai Food. In this edition of Thai Street Food, the author takes things a step further to teach his reader how to prepare menus sold on the streets of Thailand. In keeping with the vibrant traditions of Thailand, David introduces readers to techniques on how to make the most of the ingredients at their disposal. In this edition, you will find close to 100 recipes you can try at home. Each recipe is explained in detail so you can replicate them effortlessly.
What makes this volume one of the best Thai cookbooks is the number of lavish images on the pages. We love Thai Street Food because you are never in doubt regarding what your food should look like after you are done. The images provide inspiration and direction to the reader. This edition is suited for both beginners and experienced cooks. The number of recipes also allows you to pick a different recipe almost every day of the week and never run out of options.
Thai Street Food is a great way to start your culinary adventure from recipe one to the next. By adhering to the instructions dished out by Chef David, you too can become a master chef of your own.
Why do we like it?
- The cooking steps are easy to follow
- A straightforward course in Thai cooking
- Great recipe selections for all occasions
3. Pok Pok: Food and Stories from the Streets by Andy Ricker
Pok Pok is another best Thai cookbook to make our list. This book is both a storybook and a recipe book. In this volume, Andy Ricker brings the streets and culinary traditions of Thailand to your home in comfort and style. Pok Pok is a rich list of tasty Thai delicacies that has thrilled diners in restaurants and homes for generations. Andy Ricker compiles some of the most popular meals sold at roadside restaurants, street corners, and homes.
In this cookbook, you will learn how to prepare popular Thai meals like the Northern Thai noodle chicken soup, the classic fish sauce wings, and the popular This salad which is a favorite of many. The author takes his time to explain the steps to take to prepare each of the recipes in the book. The ingredients required to prepare the recipes are clearly spelled out, and Andy Ricker shows you how to source for ingredients and close substitutes on your own.
We love Pok Pok because the author will teach you the basics and clear terms, and as you make progress, you will be introduced to more complex recipes that will improve your cooking immeasurably.
Why do we like it?
- The recipes are suited for restaurants and homes
- Attractive images
- The recipes are easy to prepare
4. Hot Thai Kitchen by Pailin Chongchitnant
If you thought that Thai meals can only be cooked by Thais, this cookbook will convince you otherwise. Hot Thai Kitchen is a home cook’s delight because it makes Thai cuisine look so easy to prepare. The author explores Thai culture and highlights the history behind every recipe in the book. Palin leaves no stone unturned to show her readers how to make the best use of ingredients at their disposal.
At the beginning of Hot Thai, Palin showcases brilliant pictures of Thailand and some of its historical landmarks. Then as you progress, you are greeted with the culinary practices of the Far East Nation. Subsequently, her recipes are introduced one after the other, with culinary instructions attached to each recipe. She also shows her readers how to apply intelligent techniques to improve the taste of their food. You will also learn how to prepare soups, salads, fries, and curries the Thai way.
Vegetarians will also find this cookbook handy because there a special chapters dedicated to vegetarian recipes. The vegan recipes are authentic and refreshing. This book opens you up to new possibilities.
Why do we like it?
- Good cookbook for beginners
- The instructions are easy to follow
- Covers everything about Thai food from start to finish
5. Maenam: A Fresh Approach to Thai Cooking by Angus An
The criticisms leveled against many cookbooks is that they contain the same old recipes rehashed by their authors with nothing new to learn. If you have had a similar experience with cookbooks in the past, we recommend Maenam by Angus An. The recipes in this cookbook are fresh and authentic. If you want to learn something new about Thai food, this is one of the best Thai cookbooks to go for. Chef Angus throws more light on certain mysteries about Thai food and simplifies the cooking process so that even beginners can comprehend.
The instructions in this book leave no margin for error. Chef Angus establishes foundational lessons that will form the building blocks of the recipes you will learn as you make progress. The cooking techniques taught in Maenam are also very easy to master. If you start this course as a beginner and you apply yourself, at the end of it, you will improve your skills maximally and become a master of Thai cooking.
The over 100 recipes in Maenam are inspired by the culinary traditions of Thai street vendors. Some of the exciting recipes include seasoned stir-fries, salads, curries, soups, and tasty desserts.
Why do we like it?
- It contains innovative cooking techniques
- A perfect balance between snacks and whole meals
- An expose on Thai culture
Thai Cookbooks Buyer’s Guide
The best Thai cookbooks will teach you how to make tasty Thai dishes at home without the need for in-person learning. However, you ought to realize by now that not every Thai cookbook contains valuable information. For this reason, when shopping for cookbooks with Thai recipes, make sure you lookout for the following.
Fresh and authentic recipes
You do not want the same old recipes, especially if you already own one before. To get value for your money, make sure you only buy cookbooks that contain fresh recipes that you can add to your knowledge base. It doesn’t matter if the recipes are classic ones. What matters is that the book contains recipes that you don’t already know about.
Number of recipes
The number of recipes also matters if you don’t want to run out of options in a matter of weeks. To be on the safe side, only buy the best Thai cookbooks with at least 50 or more recipes
Practicality
Avoid cookbooks that are filled with recipes that require complex techniques and ingredients. You can know for sure by reading the reviews of buyers who have used the cookbook. A cookbook is only useful to you if the preparation steps are easy to follow and the ingredients required to prepare them are accessible.
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