Kochasri - a mythical creature represents Thai cuisine
Jan 13, 2025
Kochasri - A mythical creature
Thai cuisine is aptly symbolized by a creature from Thai mythology. This creature has the head of an elephant, the body of a lion, and wings on all four legs. It combines the best qualities of these animals: the strength of an elephant, the power of a lion, and the ability to fly.
Thai people have always possessed the ability to imitate, adapt, and transform native flavors to suit Thai tastes. Therefore, Thai cuisine is a hybrid, influenced by the many cuisines Thais have sampled over time, incorporating the best characteristics of each. These features have been integrated to create classic Thai dishes.
The Chinese brought noodles and wok-cooking techniques to Thailand; the Thais, in turn, transformed a Chinese stir-fry into the classic and popular Pad Thai. The Indians brought colorful, fragrant curries; combined with Thai herbs and spices, these created the best curries of both countries: yellow, green, and red curries. Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar (Burma), and Vietnam border Thailand and all have a history of both sweet and bitter relationships. Each of these countries has also contributed significantly to making Thai cuisine as complex, complete, and enjoyable as it is today.
