THAI FOOD is internationally known for its use of spices and herbs during cooking. Each dish may vary according to region, resulting in different but delicious flavors. Originally, Thai cuisine featured aquatic animals, plants and herbs as most people lived by the river or sea.

A common dish in all regions is Thai fried noodles, or phat Thai. Phat Thai kung sod, or Thai fried noodles with shrimps, is a favorite. Ingredients include rice noodles and bean sprouts.

Start by frying chopped garlic and onion until it turns yellow. Add shrimps and fry until cooked. Then, chop pickled white radish and soy bean curd. Scramble some eggs in a pan. Add sugar, fish sauce, vinegar, ground dry red chili and stir well Afterwards. Pour in the rice noodles, stir frying until all ingredients are mixed well. Add spring onions, ? cup bean sprouts and continue stir frying until cooked.

For garnishing, use ground roasted peanuts and the rest of the bean sprouts, cabbage, carrots, spring onions, raw banana flower buds and sliced lime. Use fish sauce, sugar and pepper to suit your taste.

Another dish that uses the same ingredients is khao phat (fried rice) that can be served with pork, chicken, meat, shrimp or crab. Vegetables are also added. The blend of fish sauce, soy sauce, chili and other spices gibes is a unique taste; fried rice with crab comes with cucumber and a wedge of lime.

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