A Taste of Thailand: The Definitive Guide to Regional Cooking (Pavilion Classic Cookery) [Paperback]

Vatcharin Bhumichitr (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2005 | Series: Pavilion Classic Cookery

This classic work was one of the first books to bring authentic Thai cuisine to a Western audience. First published in the 1980s, it set the standard to which all subsequent books followed. It first takes the reader through a brief history of Thailand before introducing the 10 essential ingredients and the most common techniques. Clear, approachable recipes are split into regions—from the more basic fare of the countryside to special-occasion dishes and the more elaborate cooking of Bangkok. Here is the genuine food of the Thai people, presented with passion and authority. Vatcharin Bhumichitr, a widely respected chef and cookbook author, is also a well-known restaurateur; he recently opened Tamarind Thai in Miami.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Vatcharin Bumichitr (or Vatch) is descended from the Thai Royal family and came to Britain in 1976. He founded three of London's best Asian restaurants, including Chaing Mai. He has a reputation as one of the top Thai food writers with previous bestsellers such as Vatch's Thai Street Food, Stylish Thai in Minutes, Vatch's Thai Cookbook and Thai Vegetarian Cooking. Vatcharin currently lives in London.

Product Details

• Paperback: 223 pages
• Publisher: Pavilion (July 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1862057060
• ISBN-13: 978-1862057067
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,712,631 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Thai cookbook I have, January 8, 2000

By 

"sbgantz" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Taste of Thailand (Paperback)

I love Thai food and rank it in my 5 favorite cuisines. Authentic Thai ingredients are becoming more and more available, both in Asian markets and even in regular grocery stores. This book provides authentic recipes that are easy to follow. The book also has some beautiful pictures of both the dishes described and the regions of Thailand from which they originate. The author provides valuable background information for both eating and (unexpectedly) travelling in Thailand. In fact, I brought this book on a trip to Thailand. Since many Thai menus have dishes in both Thai and roman letters, I was able to match some of the menu items with recipes in the book, which was both helpful and interesting. I am glad I got this book before it went out of print and would recommend picking it up at any opportunity.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Easy and authentic recipes, May 9, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Taste of Thailand (Paperback)

I have been in Thailand and I like to enjoy street food, which I find it the best and tastiest of all. This book has taught me what ingredients to use and how to prepare the dishes I ate there. Now I can cook and enjoy Thai real street food whithout going to Thailand. My wife is Indonesian and we have an Indonesian restaurant in Barcelona. Both cookings are similar and we serve some Thai dishes as well, which by the way were learned from this book.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfection for the foreigners among us!, June 19, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Taste of Thailand (Paperback)

My Thai husband has been so homesick, so I picked up this book to try and alleviate it. I didn't even know how to boil water before I read this book! I love it! My husband never eats out any more, and has told me that he might never go back to Thailand! The illustrations are great, and even I can accomplish the most difficult dishes. A must have for anyone wishing to cook Thai food!