Rating: 
Summary: Yes, it is True!
Review: As I wandered through reviews of other cookbooks I did not know I wondered if I could believe the reviewer's comments. So as a check, I searched out my favorite cookbook-True Thai. I have read and used it at length for years, learning something new about the food and culture every time. It is a treat to cook with, the depth of flavors is beautiful and the recipes clearly authentic. In a way I was disappointed to see it so aptly reviewed, my secret is out. You see, none of the folks I know have this cookbook.However, upon reflection, the reviews take the appropriate approach; anyone who appreciates great Thai cuisine and beautiful unassuming commentary will fall in love with this cookbook.
Rating: 
Summary: Informative, fun book for someone really into Thai Cooking
Review: Excellent, informative with wonderful recipes and concise instructions. Victor Sodsook's book provided refreshing new material for me when I recently updated a Thai Cooking kit I invented five years ago. It's become one of my favorite books on Thai Cooking.
Rating:
Summary: IT NEEDS PHOTOS DESPERATELY
Review: I got really disappointed upon receiving this book.I'm not saying that it is no good, I agree with all the other reviewers on the recipies and the information of the book.The thing that really annoyes me is that in this great effort of a book ,to exhibit the Thai cuisine, there is not a single coloured photograph in the book.In fact the only photos there are are black and white ,tiny and have nothing to do with the recipies or Thailand to that matter.Not everybody is familiar with Thai cuisine and pictures of the ingredients and the methods of cooking would have been very helpful.If you are one of those people that like to be challenged by a photograph of a dish so as to try it then this book is not for you.
Rating:
Summary: Best Thai Cooking Book Bar None
Review: I have a small library of asian cookbooks, including several Thai cookbooks, but this is by far the best cookbook for Thai cooking that I have come across. I cannot help but to recommend it to all of my friends who (1) like Thai food, and (2) like to cook.
The recipes tend to be on the spicy side, which is almost unheard of. So many Thai cookbooks try to water the spice down, temper the curry paste, only add a splash of lime or a leaf or two of Makrut leaves. Not this book. This book gives you great, rich flavor. Some of the recipes are VERY spicy, but none of the recipes, not even the very hot ones, are without the delicious complexity of flavor that is present in Thai cooking. The flavors are always full of a wonderful mix of different tastes from the region. Wonderful use of lime, herbs, chilis, lemongrass, coconut, and more.
The book has one drawback. I will probably not use the little cheap cans of Thai curry paste again. The recipes for the curry pastes in the book are so delicious and flavorfull that the overly salty curry cans are just not worth the facility they provide [well, almost not worth the facility ;-)].
Rating:
Summary: Best Thai Cooking Book Bar None
Review: I have a small library of asian cookbooks, including several Thai cookbooks, but this is by far the best cookbook for Thai cooking that I have come across. I cannot help but to recommend it to all of my friends who (1) like Thai food, and (2) like to cook.
The recipes tend to be on the spicy side, which is almost unheard of. So many Thai cookbooks try to water the spice down, temper the curry paste, only add a splash of lime or a leaf or two of Makrut leaves. Not this book. This book gives you great, rich flavor. Some of the recipes are VERY spicy, but none of the recipes, not even the very hot ones, are without the delicious complexity of flavor that is present in Thai cooking. The flavors are always full of a wonderful mix of different tastes from the region. Wonderful use of lime, herbs, chilis, lemongrass, coconut, and more.
The book has one drawback. I will probably not use the little cheap cans of Thai curry paste again. The recipes for the curry pastes in the book are so delicious and flavorfull that the overly salty curry cans are just not worth the facility they provide [well, almost not worth the facility ;-)].
Rating:
Summary: The mystery of Thai cooking revealed by this cookbook
Review: I have been intrigued by Thai cooking for a very long time, but the mystery vanished when I picked up this book at the public library. I love this book so much that I plan to buy it. There are too much good recipes and tips to just settle for xeroxed pages.Not only are the recipes great, but the book reveals many great tips and secrets about Oriental cooking that have alluded me for years. After reading this book, I was finally able to make fried rice that wasn't sticky. It had the right texture. Also, in using unusually pungent ingredients like shrimp paste, it was so helpful to know that putting it in foil and roasting it in foil on a skillet for 5 minutes not only reduces the smell, but improves the taste. Shrimp paste is used in so many curry pastes and entrees in Thai cooking that this tip alone is worth getting this book. Also, certain foods that I usually don't like tasted so much better when cooked the way described in the cookbook. Mussels with Lemongrass and Thai Basil is an example. And the section on making American dishes with a Thai accent was also very helpful. You finally start to understand the spices that make Thai cooking unique and you also learn how these spices are used. Another helpful part of this cookbook is the list of Thai ingredients in the front and each recipe that lists a Thai ingredient that may be difficult to find in your local grocery store, a more common equivalent is listed. If you can find Lime Kaffir Leaves, lime or lime zest will work just fine. If you have any interest at all in Thai cooking; you must have this book.
Rating: 
Summary: May Be Authentic, but many recipies are AWFUL
Review: I have used many thai cookbooks over the years, and this one was absolutly the worst. Most of the recipies are rather bland in flavor or way overdone in spices. If you are someone that is looking to make the flavers you find in thai restaurants....this is NOT the book for you. Because of the other reviews I bought this book, but apparently it's recipies are VERY authentic thai.....and what is served in restaurants isn't. My advice.....check the book out at the library and TRY it. Then if you like it, buy one.
Rating:
Summary: The required textbook for my Thai cooking class
Review: I lived in Thailand during the 1980's before Thai cooking became popular across the United States. During that time, there were very few cook books that could come close to the real flavor of Thai cuisine. I learned how to cook Thai food while watching over the shoulder of my dear house maid. She taught me how to make all of the everyday dishes that Thai people love but seldom find on the menus of restaurants. Thanks be to Victor Sodsuk for putting in a chapter on street food. Now all the food that I long for and remember while living in Thailand can be enjoyed everyday. I just recently taught a class on Thai cooking at a local community college and this book was the one that I referred to the most. The recipes are excellent!
Rating:
Summary: The required textbook for my Thai cooking class
Review: I lived in Thailand during the 1980's before Thai cooking became popular across the United States. During that time, there were very few cook books that could come close to the real flavor of Thai cuisine. I learned how to cook Thai food while watching over the shoulder of my dear house maid. She taught me how to make all of the everyday dishes that Thai people love but seldom find on the menus of restaurants. Thanks be to Victor Sodsuk for putting in a chapter on street food. Now all the food that I long for and remember while living in Thailand can be enjoyed everyday. I just recently taught a class on Thai cooking at a local community college and this book was the one that I referred to the most. The recipes are excellent!
Rating:
Summary: A very user friendly thai cook/region history book
Review: I love thai food and eat at a lot of thai restaurants in the LA area and let me tell you this book is right on the money! Easy to understand recipes and very authentic. My favorite is the Tom Kha Kai soup, yum. Good price here too, I've seen it much more expensive than here.Very good Mr. Victor Sodsook.
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