You can still find ways to experience the wonders of Bangkok and the other fabulous cities of Thailand.
Spring is here. Summer isn’t too far behind. In the Before Times, this meant that summer vacation was on the horizon. But now, international travel looks to be off the table for a while, so to speak. In any case, you can still find ways to experience the wonders of Bangkok and the other fabulous cities of Thailand. For right now, let’s focus on some drinks!
Cha Yen (Thai Iced Tea)
Cha yen, or Thai iced tea, is iconic. You can find it everywhere, from upscale Thai restaurants to your local mall’s food court. The vivid reddish-orange color is its most visible trait, but for the most part, modern food coloring has replaced traditional preparation methods. When you order it “mai waan” style, that simply means that you don’t want it excessively sweet. The condensed milk, a critical ingredient in the drink, will give you some sweetness, but it won’t be overpowering.
Cha Manao (Lime Tea)
Tea is wildly popular all over Asia. It shouldn’t be a surprise that many drinks around Thailand use tea to capture a wide variety of other exciting tastes and flavors. This fact brings us to cha manao. It’s a simple yet elegant iced tea that doesn’t have any dairy in it. It’s perfect for the lactose intolerant! It is brewed pretty much the same way as cha yen is; the only difference is that lime juice replaces condensed milk. Like its cousin, it is going to be sweet, perhaps too sweet, for your tastes. So don’t hesitate to order it “mai waan” as well.
Nam Manao (Lime Juice)
If you are a fan of lemonade or limeade, you’ll be thrilled by Thailand’s take on the refreshing beverage. Lime juice, water, and sugar come together to form a magical elixir similar to those you would find in India or elsewhere in Southeast Asia. Plus, for the braver foodies, Thai curries can be too hot to handle. That’s one of the reasons why nam manao is so popular – it can cool the burn! There is also a manao soda that is an alternative to the uniquely sweet and sugary sodas where ice, soda water, and colorful and flavorful syrups create fireworks on your tongue.
Sweet Milk
We have plenty of sweet milk-based beverages here in North America. For those of you who adore milk tea, we recommend you try Thailand’s sweet milk. Milk, ice, and colored syrup are mixed together in a wonderful blend that will either intrigue you or help you decide to get a different refreshment instead.
Thai Beer
You can’t go to Thailand – or experience its delightful food and beverage culture – without tasting Thai beer. There is plenty to know about Thailand’s beer-drinking etiquette, but that’s a tale for another time. Right now, here’s what you need to know: drinking beer is supposed to be a social gathering – sure, it’s like that here, but in Thailand, it is much more than that. The three most famous Thai beers are Singha, Chang, and Leo. Of the three, Singha is the most well-known outside of Thailand – but if you’re going to its motherland, just pronounce it “sing” – since the ha is silent!
Get All Your Asian Groceries at Lotte Plaza Market
Lotte Plaza Market is your one-stop-shop for all of your Korean and Asian grocery needs. With more than 10 Maryland and Virginia locations, this growing market is continually expanding and opening new markets to better serve our customers. Since we opened in 1976, our goal has always been to provide the best customer service and groceries to our customers. For answers to all of your questions, please email us at LottePlaza.com.