, beware of the soup and salad choices. Salads are not the lettuce and tomato concoctions that we’re used to. They may well be hot (both temperature and spicy hot!) and be made up of mostly beef and citrus such as pomello, or shredded fruit, like papaya with chili. “In a salad expect all the 5 elements: spicy, sweet, salty, sour, and with aromatic Thai herbs, to make it really unique,” says Chef Ian. Soup is often served at the same time as the rest of the meal, not beforehand. Tom Yam Kung (also spelled Tom Yum Goong) is the most famous Thai soup. With its mix of hot and sour flavors, it epitomizes what Thai food is. If you want something milder, though, try the Tom Kha Gai- it’s a delicious coconut chicken soup that can be served as mild as you like (be sure to specify!), and is what I prefer.