Thai food has become a global phenomenon, and for good reason. The cuisine’s distinctive blend of sweet, sour, spicy, salty, and umami flavors is irresistible.
Bloomington boasts a vibrant and diverse culinary scene, and thankfully, that includes several fantastic options for Thai food. From Pad Thai to curries to tom yum soup, you can find a wide range of authentic and delicious dishes right here in town.
This article explores the best Thai restaurants in Bloomington, highlighting their unique menus, the atmosphere they create, and how they contribute to the city’s overall food culture. Get ready to explore the best Thai food in Bloomington!
Aromatic Beginnings: Appetizers and Soups
No proper Thai meal starts without a little something to whet your appetite, so let’s begin with a look at some of the appetizers and soups you’re likely to find on the menu.
Appetizers: A Symphony of Flavors
- Fresh Spring Rolls (Goi Cuon): These light and refreshing rolls are made with rice paper, vermicelli noodles, vegetables, and shrimp or tofu. They’re often served with a peanut sauce or sweet chili sauce for dipping.
- Crispy Spring Rolls (Popiah Tod): Unlike their fresh counterparts, these spring rolls are deep-fried to a satisfying crunch. The filling typically includes cabbage, carrots, glass noodles, and ground pork or vegetables.
- Chicken Satay: These grilled skewers of marinated chicken are a classic Thai appetizer. The marinade is key to the flavor, and the peanut sauce is a must-have accompaniment.
Soups: Warmth and Comfort in a Bowl
- Tom Yum Soup: This hot and sour soup is a Thai staple. Key ingredients include lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, and chili peppers. You can often choose your protein, with shrimp (Tom Yum Goong) and chicken (Tom Yum Gai) being popular options.
- Tom Kha Soup: This creamy coconut milk-based soup is milder than Tom Yum. Key ingredients include coconut milk, galangal, lemongrass, mushrooms, and chicken.
Noodles and Rice: The Heart of Thai Cuisine
When it comes to Thai food, you can’t go wrong with the noodle and rice dishes, and Bloomington’s restaurants serve up plenty of both.
Noodle Dishes: A Celebration of Textures
Thai cuisine celebrates texture and flavor, and that’s especially true of its noodle dishes.
- Pad Thai: This quintessential Thai noodle dish features rice noodles, shrimp, chicken, or tofu, bean sprouts, peanuts, and scrambled egg, all tossed in a tangy Pad Thai sauce. That sauce is key, so be sure to sample it before you add any extra heat.
- Pad See Ew: These wide rice noodles come coated in a savory soy sauce, plus Chinese broccoli, and egg. The wok-style stir-frying gives this dish a distinctive smoky flavor.
- Drunken Noodles (Pad Kee Mao): When you need a spicy kick, reach for an order of drunken noodles. The wide rice noodles get tossed with basil, veggies, and plenty of chili peppers.
Rice Dishes: A Foundation of Flavor
Rice is a staple of Thai cuisine, and these Bloomington restaurants know how to make it shine.
- Fried Rice (Khao Pad): This versatile dish is infinitely customizable, so it’s easy to find an option that suits your tastes. Expect a base of rice, egg, and veggies, plus your choice of meat or tofu. Many restaurants also serve a pineapple fried rice that’s both sweet and savory.
- Green Curry Fried Rice: If you love green curry, you’ll definitely want to try this dish. The aromatic and spicy flavors of the curry paste infuse every grain of rice.
Curries: A Symphony of Spices
No exploration of Thai food is complete without diving into the rich and complex world of curries. Each curry offers a unique flavor profile, showcasing the diverse range of spices and ingredients used in Thai cuisine. Here are a few of the most popular:
Green Curry
Green curry is known for its fragrant and vibrant character. This dish features green curry paste, coconut milk, bamboo shoots, bell peppers, and fresh basil. You can typically choose your protein, with options like chicken, beef, tofu, or shrimp. The spiciness level can vary, so be sure to ask about the heat level when you order!
Red Curry
Red curry delivers a rich and flavorful experience. Similar to green curry, it includes red curry paste, coconut milk, bamboo shoots, bell peppers, and basil. Again, you’ll usually find a choice of chicken, beef, tofu, or shrimp. Red curry tends to be a bit spicier than green curry, but it’s still a very approachable and delicious dish.
Massaman Curry
For those who prefer a milder option, Massaman curry is an excellent choice. This aromatic curry features Massaman curry paste, coconut milk, potatoes, onions, and peanuts, giving it a slightly sweeter and nuttier flavor. You’ll often find chicken, beef, or tofu as the protein options. What sets Massaman curry apart is the influence of Indian spices, making it a truly unique and comforting dish.
Bloomington’s Best Thai Restaurants
Okay, so where should you actually go for Thai food in Bloomington? Here are a few of my favorites:
Taste of Thai
Taste of Thai is a Bloomington institution. If you’re looking for classic Thai dishes done right, this is your place. Their Pad See Ew is consistently excellent, and the curries are rich and flavorful. The atmosphere is casual and welcoming, and the service is always friendly. It’s a popular spot, so be prepared for a potential wait, especially on weekend evenings. The online reviews rave about the generous portions and authentic flavors.
My Thai
My Thai offers a more modern take on Thai cuisine. They have some of the dishes you’d expect, but they also have some unusual and delicious options. I’m a big fan of their crispy duck dishes, and their Tom Yum soup is the best in town, in my opinion. The ambiance is a bit more upscale than Taste of Thai, making it a good choice for a date night or special occasion. Customers frequently praise the beautiful presentation of the food and the attentive service.
ிறிய தாய் (Sri Thai)
Sri Thai is a hidden gem. It’s a little further from campus, but it’s worth the drive. They specialize in authentic Thai dishes that are hard to find elsewhere in Bloomington. Try their papaya salad; you won’t regret it! The restaurant is small and unassuming, but the food is incredible. Reviewers consistently mention the authentic flavors and the friendly, family-run atmosphere.
Putting It All Together
Bloomington offers a surprisingly wide variety of high-quality Thai restaurants, each with its own unique take on classic dishes. From the complex interplay of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors to the fresh herbs and vibrant ingredients, Thai cuisine offers something for everyone.
Whether you’re craving a comforting bowl of Pad See Ew, a fiery green curry, or a refreshing papaya salad, you’re sure to find something to satisfy your taste buds. So, get out there and explore the Thai restaurants of Bloomington. Your next favorite meal is waiting!