Indian food versus Thai food makes for a lovely culinary comparison. After all, both these cuisines are rich in flavours and variety.

 As more and more people are inclining towards Oriental food, there are two delectable preferences that stand out – Indian food and Thai food.

In my current blog, I will offer insights into both these cuisines. As foodies, this will help you in making your own choice of preferred food.

Indian versus Thai Cuisine

Indian Food Versus Thai Food – Which is Better?

Let me now get started at drawing a valid comparison between Indian and Thai food. I will be covering a total of 22 aspects that concerns all foodies like me.

In case you’d like to add more points of comparison, feel free to share them with me in the comments section after this blog.

A POINT WISE COMPARISON BETWEEN INDIAN AND THAI FOOD

INFLUENCES

Indian food                                                               Thai Food

Central Asia                                                               Eastern Asia

COMMON FOODS

Indian food                                                              Thai Food

Curries                                                                     Soups and Salads

FOOD TEXTURE

Indian food                                                               Thai Food

Mostly fried                                                              Mostly steamed

COMMON INGREDIENTS

Indian food                                                              Thai Food

Turmeric & Chillies                                                 Lemongrass & Coconut Milk

DOMINATING MEAT

Indian food                                                              Thai Food

Livestock                                                                  Sea Food

SPICE LEVEL

Indian food                                                              Thai Food

Medium to high                                                         High

SPICE TYPES

Indian food                                                              Thai Food

Dry                                                                           Wet Paste

DAIRY USE

Indian food                                                              Thai Food

Widely used                                                              Rare use

POPULAR STAPLE FOODS

Indian food                                                              Thai Food

Wheat & Pulses                                                        Tapioca & Corn

USE OF BREAD

Indian food                                                              Thai Food

Common                                                                   Rare

NOODLES USAGE

Indian food                                                              Thai Food

Very rare                                                                  Very common

RICE TYPE

Indian food                                                              Thai Food

Non-sticky rice                                                          Sticky rice

CURRY INGREDIENTS

Indian food                                                              Thai Food

Can be stored previously                                          Need to be fresh

CURRY CONSISTENCY

Indian food                                                              Thai Food

Thick and heavy                                                     Thin and light

CURRY BASE

Indian food                                                              Thai Food

Thick and heavy                                                     Thin and light

CURRY TEXTURE

Indian food                                                              Thai Food

Rich complex flavours                                               Light colorful flavours

OILS USED FOR COOKING

Indian food                                                              Thai Food

Large variety of oils                                                 Limited variety of oils

TYPES OF LEAVES USED IN COOKING

Indian food                                                              Thai Food

Bay leaf                                                                    Makrut leaves and lime grass

POWDERS IN FOOD

Indian food                                                              Thai Food

Commonly used                                                       Not used

THALI CULTURE

Indian food                                                              Thai Food

Every region has a Thali                                           Absent

VARIETY OF DISHES

Indian food                                                              Thai Food

More diverse                                                            Less diverse

COOKING TIME

Indian food                                                              Thai Food

More time                                                                  Less time

To say that one cuisine is better than the other will be completely wrong and unfair. What you like should always be based on your individual choice and taste. Both, Indian and Thai food are sumptuous. Therefore, make your pick based on the upcoming 22 aspects on both cuisines below.

Now that you have a basic comparison of Indian food versus Thai food, let me explain all of these aspects in more detail. This way you will have more clarity.

Influences

Indian food comprises of influences from Central Asia. Thai food comprises of influences from Eastern Asia. These influences are easily reflected in the most common dishes that native populations consume.

Common Foods

Rich flavoured curries are common in Indian food. In Thai food, delicious soups and salads are more common. Now, curries are important in Thai cuisine as well. However, the common food comprises of soups and salads more.

Texture of Food

Indian dishes mainly rely on the ‘fried’ method of cooking. That food, on the other hand, relies on the ‘steamed’ method of cooking. Now it needs to be mentioned here that fried food doesn’t imply unhealthy food especially when the oil being used is coconut oil or olive oil.

Common Ingredients

Turmeric, Coriander, and Chillies are three dominating Indian food ingredients. Lemongrass, Fish Sauce and Coconut Milk are common ingredients in That food.

Dominating Meat

Livestock is more common in Indian cuisine whereas seafood is more dominating in Thai food. Various dishes comprising of meat and poultry are easily spotted on the Indian Menu whereas Thai food is sea food reflecting.

Spice Level

Thai food is much more spicier than Indian food. This spice level varies from one dish to another. But even then, the overall spice level is hotter than Indian food spices.

Spice Type

Indian menu is dominated by dry spices. The Thai menu is dominated by a wet paste of spices. In India, sometimes a grounded dry mix of spices is also used. However, in Thai food, a fresh wet paste of spices is preferred. 

Dairy Use

Dairy is used in various forms in Indian food like milk, cottage cheese, and curd. In Thai food, dairy is mostly absent. The recipes make use of coconut milk instead.

Staple Food

Wheat, vegetables, and pulses are staple foods when it comes to normal Indian cuisine. Tapioca, corn, and fruits are staple foods when it comes to normal Thai food.

Use of Bread

Bread is very common across cultures in India. Various forms of Rotis and Paranthas dominate the Indian menu. However, bread is virtually absent from the Thai menu. If at all, it is used, it is very rare.

Use of Noodles

Indian food isn’t really noodle centric. However, when it comes to Thai food, noodles are readily consumed as native dishes. In fact, the variety of noodle dishes is quite large.

Rice Type

Across regions in India, long grain and non-sticky rice is used. In Thai food, sticky rice with shorter grains is much more readily used. Both, Indians and Thai folks love rice. But the grain is different.

Curry Ingredients

Most Indian curries are dominated by tomatoes and onions dry spices like cumin, turmeric, coriander powder, red chilli powder, and cinnamon. Thai curries, on the other hand, are prepared from ingredients such as fresh chillies, ginger, lemongrass, lime, shrimp paste, garlic, and shallots.

Curry Consistency

The consistency across Indian curries is always thick. In fact, the base is always heavy. Thai curries on the other hand almost always have a thin and lighter base. This difference is because of the difference in oil.

Curry Base

In India, most commonly, the curry base is water.  In Thailand, the curry base is coconut milk. However, in both cuisines, it takes a while for the base to boil up.

Curry Texture

Indian curries are velvety and have rich complex flavours. Thai curries, on the other hand, are colourful with lighter flavours. Both curries are absolutely delectable in taste.

Oils used in Cooking

In Indian cooking, the nature of oil used varies from region to region. Some parts of India use mustard oil whereas others use coconut oil. There are others using rice brand and sunflower oil. Also, a lot of regions use normal and clarified butter. Thai food, on the other hand, uses coconut oil, sunflower oil, and peanut oil.

Types of Leaves used in Cooking

While northern India makes use of Bay Leaves, the southern parts of India make common use of Curry Leaves. In Thai food, Makrut lime leaves and lime grass are used.

Powders in Food

Indian food commonly makes use of dry powders comprising of grounded spices. The powders can be from an earlier time as well. However, Thai food abstains from using powders. It makes use of wet paste only. And that too from fresh spices and herbs.

Thali Culture

Indian food indulges in Thali culture. A Thali is a large plate. However, in food terms, Thali also implies a lavish meal comprising of starters, main course, appetisers, desserts, and beverages together. Almost every popular cuisine in India has an associated Thali. Thai food, on the other hand, doesn’t have Thali culture.

Variety of dishes

Even though both Indian and Thai food are varied in colours, flavours, and taste, Indian food is more diverse than Thai food. Reason being, in India, a new food form is cooked in every state and region. And even within those places, the diversity is heartwarming. 

Cooking Time

Cooking Indian food takes a lot more time than cooking Thai food. However, Thai food takes a longer time in initial preparation than Indian food overall.

Curry

Indian Food Versus Thai Food & Curry Culture

Even though the curries prepared in Thai and Indian cuisine are completely different, both are appetising to even first time tasters. 

India – The Land that Gave the World Rich Curries

India is the land of the Curry. In fact, the world was first introduced to the concept of Curry by Brits leaving India. It is believed that the origin of Indian curry dates back to more than 3000 years. Over time, locales across India have come up with their own unique curry ideas. 

Popular Meat Based Indian Curries

Meat-based Indian curries are prepared by adding chunks or well-cut pieces of meat to a thick sauce. This sauce is prepared from vegetables using water as a base. Sometimes, coconut milk is also added although that is restricted to a few regions only. Meat-based curries are savoured among the non-vegetarian population.

Kashmiri Rogan Josh

This traditional Kashmiri Mutton dish is full of aroma and flavour. The gravy is bright red in colour and is served with a bowl of freshly steamed rice.

Goan Chicken Vindaloo

Chicken Vindaloo is a very popular curry in the coastal state of Goa. The sweet and tangy curry is flavoured with local spices, palm sugar and vinegar.

Punjabi Butter Chicken

This is probably the most well known amongst all Indian Curries. With a rich creamy velvety texture, this is one Indian curry that you must absolutely try.

Chettinad Chicken

Made from freshly roasted spices and coconut, this aromatic south Indian Chicken gravy is an absolute delight to any food lover. However, if you are someone too sensitive to spices, be a little careful before you take that huge bite.

Rajasthani Laal Maas

Laal Maas is basically mutton cooked in a gravy of traditional Indian spices, ginger garlic paste, and yogurt. It is one of the most popular dishes in Rajasthan and is slightly high on the spiciness scale.

Bengali Macher Jhol

Macher Jhol is one of the most beloved and popular dishes in the state of West Bengal. This traditional fish curry is packed with flavours and tastes best when served with rice. 

Andhra Kodi Kura

Kodi Kura is the traditional name of the Andhra Chicken Curry. This hot and spicy curry is fairly easy to prepare. It can be made with simple ingredients and tastes absolutely delicious.

Meghalaya Do O Kalai 

The lesser-known Meghalaya Do O Kai is a simple yet delicious delicacy of North East India. The curry is made using minimal oil and lentils, which makes it healthy and unique.

Indian curry

Popular Plant Based Indian Curries

Plant-based Indian curries are prepared by adding an assortment of vegetables or lentils. The base is usually water.  Sometimes, a dairy-based ingredient can also be added as a base. Plant-based curries are widely enjoyed and are delicious. The aroma is good and the colour is appealing.

Paneer Tikka Masala

Paneer Tikka masala is a popular Indian curry. It is made by cooking marinated grilled cottage cheese cubes in a yogurt-based onion-tomato gravy. If you haven’t tried it yet, I would strongly recommend that you try it soon.

Kashmiri Dum Aloo

Dum Aloo is a very popular Kashmiri dish that is made by using baby potatoes. Filled with subtle flavours, the main ingredients of this dish are Kashmiri red chilli powder and fennel powder.

Navratan Korma

Navratna Korma is a vegetable curry made using vegetables. The curry has a spicy, nutty,  rich, and creamy texture. It gets its divine richness from the combination of vegetables with nuts and cream.

Punjabi Kadi Pakora

This bright yellow curry is one of the most popular north Indian dishes. Served with rice, the dish has two main parts-  Deep-fried fritters (pakora) and a yogurt-based curry.

Gujrati Kadi

This is yet another yogurt based curry, popular in Westen India. As opposed to the Punjabi kadi, this kadi is slightly sweet to taste. It is generally served with some hot rice.

Sindhi Kadi

Sindhi Kadi is a tangy curry made using a variety of vegetables. What I like most about the dish is that it is very easy to cook. The dish tastes best when it is served with hot rice.

Orissa Aloo Potol Rossa

If you want to taste some truly authentic Orissa food, try the Aloo Potol Rossa. Made using potatoes and pointed gourds, the gravy is made rich by using coconut.

Indian food versus Thai food

Single Bright Coloured Thai Curries

In Thai food – Red, Green, and Yellow Curries are extremely popular. In fact, in recent years people across countries have been adding them to their food bucket list. All these Thai curries are different in two major aspects – colour and the kind of chilly used.

Red Thai Curry

Red Thai Curry comprises of red chillies in the core paste. This could have made this curry extremely spicy. However, that is not the case. A good amount of coconut milk is added to the red chilly paste. And this tones down the curry into a fine mild blend.

Green Thai Curry

Green Thai Curry is the hottest of all curries when it comes to the type of chillies used. Hot green chillies that are freshly bought are ground into a wet paste. The other ingredients include coriander, kaffir lime, and Thai basil. Coconut milk is added here as well. However, despite it, the Thai Green Curry is still spicy.

Yellow Thai Curry

The Yellow Thai Curry is different from Red and Green ones because it uses turmeric. In fact, it is the turmeric that lends the yellow colour. The rich ingredients of Yellow Thai Curry comprise of fresh herbs and dried spices. This curry is medium mild hot.

I hope my current blog adds more perspective to your existing views on Thai and Indian cuisine. If you feel like, do view the surprisingly alike foods in Mexican and Indian cuisine. They will surprise you and make you stand in awe of the two cuisines.