Thai Cooking Basics: Fresh Herbs, Sauces & Flavors (With Sushi as a Bonus)

Thai food is all about balance — sweet, salty, spicy, and sour — built from fresh herbs and bold sauces. Here’s a simple Thai-first look at the flavors we love at Thai Jin Restaurant.

The Thai flavor foundation

• Aromatics: garlic, shallot, lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaf

• Herbs: Thai basil, cilantro, mint

• Sauces: fish sauce, soy sauce, oyster sauce, tamarind

• Heat: fresh chilies and chili paste

Why curries taste so different

Thai curries get their personality from curry paste — a blend of chilies, herbs, and spices — plus coconut milk for richness. Green curry is often brighter and herb-forward; red curry is deeper and warmer.

Sushi, secondary

We also serve sushi, and many guests enjoy it alongside Thai dishes. Think of it as a fun add-on — the heart of our menu is Thai cooking.