Thai food is delicious but spicy and contains lots of heat. Most of the dishes are lightly cooked, but special attention is paid to the flavors of the dishes. This is why Thai cuisine makes use of lots of herbs and spices. Normally the Thai meal consists of a single dish, but when rice is served, there are many different dishes served along with it. One ingredient that is very common in Thai food is called Nam Pla. It is a kind of fish sauce. Chili pastes and soy sauces are also used in Thai food. Rice is the staple food in Thailand with noodles too being very popular.