Delicious, indulgent, and exotic, Thai cuisine is famous for its unique yet balanced combinations of sweet, spicy, salty, and sour flavors. True to its culture, most local foods contain many treasured spices. However, it is this unique flavor profile that may make it not suitable for everyone’s palate, especially youngsters!
Children in their younger years prove to become picky eaters. They have growing appetites yet are able to entirely reject what’s on their plate! So, naturally, they won’t be used to the heat of Thai food. And no, you won’t need to carry around a jug of milk with them for every meal.
Here is a select variety of excellent Thai dishes with mild to zero heat for kids to enjoy in Phuket.
Khao Pad (Fried Rice)
A staple, the Khao Pad is a Thai culinary classic you can have with chicken, veggies, seafood, and a serving of fried egg on top. It’s a safe bet for all ages since most fried rice is served without chilies! This would make a good start to introduce Thai cuisine for people or kids who are unfamiliar with it.
Pad Thai
One of the most sought-after traditional Thai dishes is the Pad Thai. This sweet and sour fried noodle dish is topped with peanuts, sugar, and commonly shrimp or chicken, and it is absolutely delightful with or without spices or chili.
Gai Tod Khai Neaow (Deep-fried Chicken & Sticky Rice)
It seems that almost every country has its variation of the classic fried chicken. In Phuket, many food vendors provide deep-fried chicken with sticky rice for a fuss-free dinner. Have a taste of this comfort food dish, but keep an eye out for the shards of bones!
Chicken Satay
Slathered with crunch and savory peanut butter sauce, chicken satay is marinated and skewered to perfection. Some vendors may make their peanut sauce spicy, but its creamy texture offsets its spice level.
Kuay Tiew (Noodle Soup)
Uncomplicated and enjoyable, the Kuay Tiew is an easy option for almost anybody! Thai noodle soup is composed of round yellow noodles that are served in a light broth with veggies and seafood.
Additionally, you can make your bowl just as spicy as you want it, making it appropriate for children.
Kai Jeow
Eggs offer so much versatility across all cuisines. For example, the Thai omelet may be less frothy than what you’re used to! Fish sauce and spring onions are used in place of milk in this savory dish.
In Phuket, Kai Jeow is frequently served with steamed rice—making it a simple, spice-free, and reasonably nutritious dinner for the family. Once you’ve tried this exotic egg omelet, your world will be changed forever.
Massaman Curry
Not many kids grow to like curry; after all, it’s an acquired taste. But if you’re feeling more adventurous or braver than usual, introduce your children to hot Thai food like the Massaman curry. It incorporates the flavors of cinnamon, star anise, tamarind, and a bit of chili, but it’s the mildest of all traditional Thai curries!
Conclusion
When in Phuket, there will be Western cuisines and restaurants available for your children—but don’t settle for those choices! A trick to letting your kids enjoy Thai cuisine is to order in Phuket with the phrase “mai pet” (not spicy). This way, you can enjoy all the original base flavors this place has to offer.
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