Thai cuisines are famous for its fresh and savory flavors. This is because most dishes use fresh ingredients, herbs, and vegetables. It is common to find cilantro, bean sprouts, basil, mint, and lettuce as part of the ingredient. So, Thai food is distinctively tasteful, revitalizing, and pleasantly memorable when it comes to flavor.
Now, if you are in California, and you miss home, as a Thailand citizen, or you decide to try out the famous foods from the bountiful country, which foods should you try? We have a list of Temecula’s top 6 Thai foods for your exploration. And if you do not want to visit a restaurant, we include cooking guides to give you a feel of the delicious recipes.
Top 6 Thai food in Temecula
Thai food is excellent for snacking and has many small side dishes. The foods are usually easy to make, with the main dishes mainly consisting of rice, different varieties of chicken, and shrimp. Many dips, salads, and soups are also packed with rich aromas.
Most importantly, you can taste the 5 flavors of Thailand, which include sour, spicy, salty, creamy, and sweet flavors in perfect balance in the authentic dishes served in Temecula, CA. The list below is a collection of the best Thai food you can find in Temecula.
1. Tom Yum Goong
As one of Thailand’s greatest and most iconic dishes, you can expect to find this hot and sour shrimp soup in Temecula. The flavorful dish packs a ton of aromatic flavors that will leave your mouth in an extravaganza.
Tom yum goong originates from the central regions of Thailand and marries the unique spicy and sour flavors. The original recipe includes shrimp (goong); other versions could include chicken, fish, or mixed fish.
Ingredients:
- Lemongrass
- Red chili peppers
- Galangal
- Kaffier lime leave
- Shallots
- Fresh lime juice
- Fish sauce
- Fresh shrimp/prawns
- Coconut cream- for a creamier version of the dish
- Mushrooms
How to make Tom Yum Goong
If you are interested in the cooking process, here is how to make tom yum goong:
- Saute the shrimp shells to make shrimp stock
- Deglaze the shrimp with water and scrape any stuck bits at the bottom of the pot
- Squeeze the tasty tomalley from the shrimp
- Simmer the stock for about 45 mins, then add the chopped shallots
- Strain the stock and add your flavors- lemon grass, galangal, kaffier lime leaves, and red chili papers
- Cook that for 5 minutes, then add mushrooms and simmer for 2 minutes
- Add the shrimp back, and add the stock
- Simmer the mixture and turn off the heat
- Let the soup cook the shrimp for 2 minutes, then add fish sauce
- Add lime juice and taste
- Adjust the sour flavors with a bit of sugar
The best Tom Yum Goong in Temecula
In Temecula, you can taste tom yum goong at Aiyara Thai Cuisine along 41533 Margarita Rd, Thai Kitchen on 27520 Ynez Rd, Siam Kitchen Thai Cuisine on 44535 Bedford Ct or S!! Thai Food at 26490 Ynez Rd.
2. Tom Kha Gai
Tom kha gai, or chicken in coconut soup, is a uniquely flavorful and creamy dish from Thailand. The dish is suitable for people with lower spice tolerance. The dish comprises tender chicken cooked in sweet, creamy coconut milk and other fragrant ingredients.
Tom kha gai is the creamier sister of tom yum goong.
Ingredients:
- Lemongrass
- Galangal
- Makrut lime leaves
- Boneless skinless chicken
- Chicken broth
- Coconut milk
- Thia chilies
- Oyster mushrooms
- Fish sauce
- Palm sugar
- Cilantro
- Fresh lime
How to make Tom kha gai
- Add the chicken broth to a pot, add some salt and bring the mixture to a boil.
- Add the chicken and simmer for 15 minutes
- Add the coconut milk
- Add your chopped herbs and simmer for 5 minutes
- Add the fish sauce and some sugar and bring to boil
- Add the chopped oyster mushrooms and turn off the heat after 1 minute
- Add line juice and garnish with cilantro
Where to find the best Tom kha gai
For the best tom kha gai in Temecula, you can visit Pearl Thai Noodle House along Winchester road, Ano-Thai Kitchen, or Thai Kitchen on Ynez Rd.
3. Pad Thai
Pad thai became phenomenal in Thailand after the Chinese immigrants moved to the country. Today, this spicy rice noodles dish ranks among Thailand’s most famous noodle dishes. Also, if you want to ease into Thai delicacies, pad Thai is the best dish to try first. It is not too spicy and comes bearing all of Thailand’s favorite ingredients.
Ingredients:
- Flat rice noodles
- Seafood-fresh and dried shrimp
- Tamarind
- Fish sauce
- Bean sprouts
- Shallots
- Eggs
- Garlic
- Palm sugar
- Roasted peanuts
- Fresh herbs
- Chilies-options
You can make alternative pad thai with chicken, pork, or tofu.
How to make Pad Thai
Real pad thai is cooked in a hot wok. This way, the noodles come out a little dry and smoky. More importantly, the final dish perfectly balances sour, salty, and sweet flavors, with loads of bean sprouts adding a hint of freshness and lightening the dish.
To make pad thai, there are 2 steps; making the sauce and the pad thai.
Making the sauce:
- Melt and caramelize the palm sugar
- Add some water to stop the caramelization
- Add tamarind and fish sauce to the mixture
- Turn off the heat and let it sit for a while
To make the pad thai:
- Cook the shrimp and remove them from the pan
- Saute the shallots, garlic, chili flakes, and dried shrimp
- Add the soaked noodles
- Add your sauce and toss until the noddles absorb all the sauce
- Push the noodles to one side and add the egg
- Push the noodles on top of the egg and cook for 15 seconds
- Flip and toss to mix
- Add the bean sprouts and garlic
- Turn off the heat and cook the bean sprouts with residual heat
- Serve with a fresh lime wedge
Where to find the best Pad Thai
At Eggplants Thai Cuisines along Pechanga Pkwy Suite, Thai Kitchen Temecula in Ynez Rd, and Tasty Thai Cuisine, you can find the best pad thai in Temecula.
4. Khao pad
As mentioned before, rice is among the staple foods in Thailand. So, having a rice dish among the best Thai food in Temecula makes sense. Khao pad or Thai fried rice is a classic, go-to favorite dish to induct yourself into the flavorful Thai cuisines. It is not a favorite dish for people in Thailand but also for foreigners.
Khao pad can constitute pork, seafood, tofu, chicken, or beef. You can also make your rendition of the khao pad with pineapple and shrimp.
Ingredients:
- Bean sprouts
- Gingerroot
- Garlic cloves
- Cooked jasmine rice
- Eggs-slightly beaten
- Fresh tomato
- Chili sauce
- Soy sauce
- Lime juice
- Lime
- Scallion
How to make Khao Pad
To make khao pad:
- Stir fry the ginger and garlic in a wok
- Remove them and save them for later
- Add some oil and fry your vegetables- sprouts
- Remove the bean sprouts and set them aside
- In a heated work, add rice and stir thoroughly
- Stir with a spoon
- Make a hole at the center and add the beaten eggs
- Stir the eggs while they cook before mixing them with the rice
- Add tomatoes, and the onions and vegetables set aside
- Mix and add in the soy sauce, chili sauce, and lime juice
- Serve with thinly sliced scallions
Recommended spots for Khao Pad
Golden Bowl Thai along Temecula Pkway offers one of the best khao pads in California. Thai Kitchen and Bamboo Restaurants are also excellent alternatives.
5. Som Tam- spicy green papaya salad
Som tam could arguably be Thailand’s best-known salad dish. It originates from Laos, a northeastern region in Thailand known for its beloved dishes. This spicy green papaya salad is not just any typical salad. However, it comes in different guises, with the classic recipe consisting of shredded green papaya, fish sauce, tamarind, palm sugar, and red chilies.
Ingredients:
- Shredded green papaya
- Red chilies
- Fish sauce
- Lime juice
- Tamarind pulp
- Palm sugar
- Cherry tomatoes
- Carrots
- Runner beans
- Toasted beans
- Dried shrimp
How to make Som Tam
To make som tam, you should start by preparing the green papaya. This process involves pealing the papaya and cutting it by hand into thin strips with a sharp knife. You can also use a specialized green papaya peeler to shred your papaya for the som tam.
Once your shredded papaya is ready, you can move on to preparing the other ingredients.
- Grind your fresh cillies, dried shrimp, and garlic with a motor and pestle.
- Add roasted peanuts and pound the mixture
- Add the palm sugar
- Into the mixture, add the long beans, and cherry tomatoes
- Crush them with the pestle until they release some of their juices
- Add fish sauce and lime juice
- Adjust the flavors to your liking- it should be sweet, sour, and spicy.
- Add the green papaya and mix with a spoon while pounding lightly with the pestle.
- Serve immediately
Where to find the best Som Tam
Pearl Thai Noodle House and Eggplants Thai Cuisines are among the best spots to find excellent som tam in Temecula. Ano Thai Kitchen is another excellent spot.
6. Gaeng Daeng
Curries are also huge in Thailand. Most curries have spicy flavors with distinct colors. Gaeng daeng, or red curry, is one of them, with medium spiciness. The curry also has a distinctive rich red color with sweet, aromatic, and spicy flavors.
The recipe uses lots of crushed red chilies, hence the spicy touch to the dish.
Ingredients:
- Garlic
- Shallot
- Blue ginger
- Lemongrass
- Coconut milk
- Vegetables-eggplants, mushrooms, or tomatoes
- Chicken breast slices
- Makrut leaves
- Sweet basil
How to make Gaeng Daeng
To make red curry;
- Add the coconut milk to a saucepan
- Boil the milk and add the curry paste
- Stir for 2 minutes and add the makrut lime leaves, fish sauce, and chicken strips
- Add some water and bring to boil
- Add the sliced vegetables and cook until soft
- Add sweet basil
- Serve with rice or noodles
Where to find the Gaeng Daeng in Temecula
Ano-Thai kitchen, Aiyara Thai Cuisine, and Pearl Thai Noodle House have commendable red curries for you to try.
Conclusion
Thai dishes are world-famous for their mouthwatering flavors that balance out perfectly. The dishes are perfect for street food and Michelin-starred restaurants. You can have your share of Thai flavors in Temecula from the many Thai restaurants. Find your favorite dish, and wait for your taste buds to be amazed.