When traveling in Thailand, you must try shrimp — affordable, fresh, and incredibly delicious.

▲ Grilled Thai shrimp enjoyed in Chiang Mai, Thailand (Photo / Reporter Chen Ziying)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

If you love shrimp, Thailand is the place to go. The country produces 40% of the world’s shrimp, with everything from grilled shrimp, raw shrimp, to shrimp cakes readily available.

Taiwanese people often order a popular dish at Thai restaurantscalled Moonlight Shrimp Cakes, but it’s not easy to find ones made purely from shrimp paste without any fish paste mixed in. In Thailand, this absolutely won’t be an issue — they’re definitely made with pure shrimp paste. One bite reveals the sweet, juicy flavor of the shrimp.

Another classic Thai shrimp dish isThai spicy and sour raw shrimp, which uses fresh live shrimp with heads and intestines removed, then tossed in a sauce made from fish sauce, lemon, and chili. The result is a tangy, spicy, and crisp shrimp that’s bursting with flavor. It’s a favorite dish for many, but since Thailand is in the tropics, be sure to choose your restaurant carefully when trying this dish to avoid getting sick.

The most common dish in Thailand isgrilled Thai shrimp. These large, fresh shrimp are grilled over charcoal, giving off an irresistible aroma. They can be found everywhere, from restaurants to night market stalls. Locals usually dip them in a green chili fish sauce. Six grilled shrimp, each about 30 cm long, cost less than 200 Thai baht (around NT$200). They have a crispy, sweet taste and are perfect as a drinking snack.

Spicy and sour shrimp soup is probably the most familiar Thai dish to people around the world. Made with lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, and mushrooms such as straw or button mushrooms, it’s a distinctive dish that’s very appetizing in hot summer weather and helps beat the heat.

As for lobster, prawns, or mantis shrimp, they’re even more common in Thailand’s coastal areas — such as Phuket, Pattaya, or Hua Hin. Night markets and restaurants all serve authentic seafood dishes, whether steamed in the Chinese style or grilled, all at very affordable prices. Other shrimp dishes include shrimp clay pot, green curry shrimp, shrimp salad, pomelo shrimp salad, and salt-and-pepper fried shrimp.

Friends who love shrimp shouldn’t hesitate to order a table full of fresh shrimp dishes in Thailand, enjoying them with friends and family. The prices are budget-friendly, and it’s sure to bring a great sense of happiness. (News source: Central News Agency)