BANGKOK (ANN/THE NATION) – Thailand’s culinary world found itself in a heated debate this week, as the hashtag #saveKaengTaiPla surged across social media platforms, capturing the attention of food enthusiasts and travelers alike.
Supporters of the traditional Thai dish rallied online, urging global visitors not to dismiss Kaeng Tai Pla based solely on its recent ranking. This call to action, prominently featured in English, highlights a passionate plea for culinary open-mindedness.
This controversy stems from the latest food rankings published by TasteAtlas, an online guide dedicated to exploring traditional cuisines worldwide.
According to data recorded on March 16, the ranking drew from 433,877 user ratings, though TasteAtlas, based in Croatia, deemed only 301,750 of these ratings eligible for consideration.
TasteAtlas is renowned for its commitment to authentic culinary exploration, offering a wealth of information on traditional recipes, critical food reviews, and insightful articles on popular dishes and their ingredients.
Kaeng Tai Pla, the dish at the heart of this culinary uproar, is a rich and aromatic fish curry hailing from Southern Thailand.
It is known for its robust flavour profile, achieved through a blend of fermented fish entrails (tai pla) and a spicy curry paste. This paste incorporates chili peppers, galangal, shrimp paste, turmeric, shallots, and lemongrass, creating a complex and layered taste experience.
The dish often features dry fish, diced eggplant, bamboo shoots, string beans, and various other vegetables, traditionally served alongside steamed rice to balance its intense flavousrs.
Notably, traditional versions of Kaeng Tai Pla avoid coconut milk, sticking to the original recipe celebrated in Thailand’s largest fishing region.
Despite its controversial ranking, Kaeng Tai Pla is esteemed as a culinary delight within Thailand, especially in the South, where it is sometimes considered a must-try for visitors.
Its unique taste has even won over international palates, including South Korean YouTubers Park Kideuk and Jung Kyungtae of “Cullen and Jung,” who have shared their positive experiences with the dish.
The dish’s ranking was part of a broader list that also spotlighted other controversial foods, such as Iceland’s Hákarl and Egypt’s Fesikh.
However, it’s important to note that TasteAtlas’s recognition of Thai cuisine extends beyond this list; in December, the platform celebrated Thai culinary excellence by including five Thai dishes in its “100 Best Dishes in the World” list, with Pad Kaprao, Khao Soi, Kaeng Panang, Tom Kha Gai, and Massaman Curry receiving high honors. This diverse acknowledgment underscores the rich tapestry of flavours that Thai cuisine offers to the world, beyond the divisive ranking of Kaeng Tai Pla.
