Siam Cabin Cuisine

Thai Food & More

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Traditional Thai Dining

Although thai food is enjoyed by millions of Americans annually, most who order it have very little understanding of the culture that created this popular style of food. Although it may be simply characterized as spicy veggies, rice, and protein variations, the thought and consideration that goes into these dishes has a much deeper origin then simply good flavor. The predominate buddhist religion and economic history of the country has played a significant effect on the foods thai people have adopted over the years.

Thai families are traditionally very large, and consist of many members, so meals are traditionally large portions that are intended to be shared and passed around between the many family members. Rice is typically the main course and served in the largest portion. Being that rice is affordable and has the ability for it to absorb the many flavors and spices of traditional thai dishes.

Thai food is typically consumed while seated on the ground, and after everyone has gotten their portion of rice and side dishes they then eat the food with their bare hands. After years of english exposure, cutlery was introduced to the thai people, and the fork and spoon became common practice, there are still those that eat with their hands. Most people have adopted the spoon and fork and use them skillfully to consume their dishes.

Being traditional at a thai restaurant

There are a few ways that you can really enhance your thai dining experience and make it as authentic as possible, beyond simply enjoying the delicious thai cuisines.

  • Order Shared Plates – Sharing plates is the most authentic you can be at a thai restaurant, and something that really lets you enjoy the dishes as they were intended to be enjoyed. Let the most senior person pick the first side dish, and then order a variety of different protein and veggies dishes with different flavors and textures to make sure you have a balanced assortment of options that everybody will like, and have the full range of flavors. Be considerate to the taste buds of all that are joining you, and try and get a full spectrum of flavors if possible.
  • Serve the food properly – Like we mentioned earlier, the spoon and fork are the traditional utensils used for consuming thai dishes, and each side dish is served with its own serving spoon. For contamination reason, people use the serving spoon that accompanies each dish as opposed to their individual utensils. Some dishes may include fish parts that are not intended for consumption, which are traditionally cut off using the serving spoon and moved to the side of the dish.
  • Stack dishes when done – When everyone is finished with their meals stack the bowls on the edge of the table letting your server know you are done.

Thai food is not only good, but fun and enjoyable to eat in groups. Whether their is two or twenty of you, try ordering as a group, and experience thai food the traditional way.

 

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Food Truck Coming Soon!

Siam Cabin Cuisine will be launching its first food truck in March 2017. In addition to our location in Los Angeles, we are seeking to offer our thai cuisine to San Diego and other parts of southern California. The food truck will not be hard to spot, and will have our branding and logo creatively wrapped, thanks in big part to Haus of Wraps. In addition we will also be launching an app that will allow customers to get notifications on our food trucks location, and allow individuals to place orders for pick up. Add your email to our contact list, and get information as we launch our app and get our Food truck on the streets.

Though we can not offer ever item that is currently on our menu in LA, we are able to offer a majority of our most popular dishes. The app will have the food truck menu, and update you if the menu changes. Visit our food truck at events, or have our food truck cater your corporate lunches and events, or cater your next party. There is no event that could not be made better by a thai food truck, especially ours :).

What Will be Available on the food truck?

Our food truck will carry most of our menu, less some specific items that we can not reasonably prepare on the truck. Once finished we will have our Food truck Menu here as well as on the food truck app.

Where Will the Food Truck Be?

The Food truck will be at many southern California food truck events. Primarily though, at select locations throughout San Diego. Make sure to get on our email list, to receive updates on the Siam Cabin Cuisine app and the launch of our food truck.

What Will The App Do?

The app will give you up to date information on the food truck location, routes, and destinations. As well as give the ability to suggest destinations, place an order for pick and so much more. The app will be free and available for both android and iOS. [Read more…]

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Popular Thai Dishes

For many first time customers, who have never tried thai food, they often ask, what is good, or what is popular? So we wanted to make a quick post letting people know what the most popular thai dishes are. Perhaps you might try one of these dishes when you visit us for the first time. Or perhaps you might be open to trying something new on your next visit. Nonetheless we want to let you know what’s, popular, and what we recommend trying.

Most Popular Thai Dishes

  1. Papaya Salad (Som Tum) – Papaya Salad is a popular thai dish and one that we recommend you try. It is not common in other cultural dishes, so it is a first time experience for most who order it. To many people’s surprise, the papaya salad is a great blend of texture, flavor and aroma. The spice and flavor compliment the crunchy texture and create an experience that many people continue to order time and time again. Get it by itself, or order it to accompany your other thai favorites.
  2. Pad Thai – Pad Thai is very popular and an easy one for first timers to try, because it is hard not to like fried noodles. Choose your spice level, and protein (we recommend shrimp), and enjoy the bean sprouts, egg, and other vegetables you choose to accompany it. Don’t be surprised if you never order anything other than Pad Thai again.
  3. Fried Rice – Most people have tried fried rice at least once in their life, and sometimes overlook thai fried rice on the menu. However most people are surprised by the robust flavor, and enjoyment they get from a full plate of thai friend rice. Choose your protein (we recommend chicken), and enjoy the many flavors and spices of thai fried rice. Traditionally served with egg, carrots, green onions, and protein, it is also really good with broccoli, bean sprouts, and other vegetables of your liking.
  4. Tom Yung Gung – If you have not tried Tom Yung Gung before, you are in for a real treat. A flavorful soup composing of mushroom, shrimp, tomatoes, galangal, lemongrass, and more, it is a mouthful of flavor and enjoyment. The soup can be ordered with coconut milk or without, and goes great with fried rice or noodles.
  5. Pad Kra Pao – Pad Kra Pao is a favorite of many, and something we highly recommend you try. Consisting of finely minced pork, basil leaves and chili peppers, served over a bed of rice, the dish is simple, but leaves you wanting more. The dish is jammed with heat, so make sure you specify your heat tolerance, and ask for extra rice to dilute the heat just in case. Though the dish is traditionally served with pork it can be substituted for vegetarian options, and still maintain its great flavor.

We encourage you to try some of our recommendations, and keep an eye out for more.

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Health Benefits of Thai Food #2

Hopefully you had a chance to read our first post on the health benefits of thai food, if not go check it out. So in our first post we covered some of the main components of thai food, chillies, turmeric and garlic, which are three very popular ingredients in thai food. So we are going to pick up where we left off and shed some light on some other very beneficial ingredients that you will find in our thai dishes.

Ginger – Though many people think of ginger as the cold pink slivers that are served with sushi. In thai food, ginger is prepared differently. We commonly use the fresh ginger root in stir fry, which gives the dish a fresh and subtle flavor, different than what most people expect. Most believe the flavor of ginger to be quite overbearing but that is not the case, and in fact most people have a change of heart after experiencing ginger in thai dishes. Beyond a fresh flavor, ginger also offers soothing benefits for the stomach and mind. Many people consume ginger to cope with anxiety, restlessness, an upset stomach, or even a cold or sore throat. Works well steeped in hot water, for nights you need a little extra relaxation and soothing effects.

Galangal – Although this is a less known ingredient, it is one that is critical to many authentic thai dishes. The root vegetable does a great job of offsetting the flavor of many of the meats and flavorful vegetables in thai dishes with its subtle spice. The root is a great addition to vegetarian or vegan thai dishes, since it has a high concentration of iron, and complex flavors. The root has great benefits for the stomach with its anti fungal properties and can sooth bloating and upset stomachs.

Lemongrass – Lemongrass is a widely used ingredient in thai dishes and has been for a long time since it is indigenous to Asia. The lemongrass has a unique aroma and taste and is often used to mellow out bolder flavors in thai dishes. It’s subtle scent and flavor is calming and soothing and offers a wide array of benefits which can help with headaches, stomach aches, digestion and congestion.

There is still a lot to cover, but by know you should be able to identify a couple of the ingredients in your thai dish, and understand their specific health benefits.