Thailand is a truly magical place. Waters of crystal-clear and shimmering blue, monsoonal forests, tropical evergreens, and lush jungle envelop sacred temples of multicolor tile and stone, villages of thatched or brightly painted homes, and bustling roadways teaming with commerce and daily life. Thailand has been a much sought-after and admired vacation destination for many, but for roughly seventy-million people, the land and its waters of emerald blues and greens, incredible wildlife and colorful festivals is home.

The Thai people are famously welcoming and generous, and possess a genuine desire to provide for family and guests alike. It is a culture that reflects the greatest, brightest face of humanity: kindness

The most commonly utilized method of hospitality, celebration, and kindness within Thai culture is the preparation and providing of food. Like so many Eastern populations, the cuisine in Thailand is a defining factor when it comes to identification and representation. As colorful and complex as the land itself, this culinary jewel is awe-inspiring. Multiple influences over the span of centuries from neighboring cultures add to the already robust array of flavor, color and texture that Thailand brings to the world table.

Much like in the cuisine of Vietnam, Thai food centers around the five main flavors: spice, salt, sweet, sour and bitter. The majority of dishes balance most, if not all, of those flavors at once. Texture and color are also focused on in individual plates or within an entire spread- and those spreads are paramount in homes and restaurants. Multiple plates are shared amongst a group of diners, from varieties of meat and fish to plates of noodles, bowls of various sauces, and rice mixed with vegetables and seasoned to perfection. Everything is passed around and shared in a way that celebrates family, community, and friendship.

Since 1987, Nashua has been home to a restaurant that embodies everything that Thailand represents, from the food and hospitality, right down to the eye-catching and inspiring design of their dining room to display the unique architecture and furniture that is quintessentially Thai. Giant of Siam is a family owned fixture that treats all of their guests as if they are family themselves. Previously located on East Hollis Street, they moved to Main Street a few years ago, and are able to welcome us to eat in their beautiful dining room as well as to be served outside during the remaining time of the downtown dining expansion.

The menu at Giant of Siam embodies the rich history of Thai cuisine, offering everything from dishes more familiar in Western populations to those that are less well known here, and the staff are happy to explain the details of dishes that fall under the latter category. Whether dining in or ordering takeout or delivery, every diner can find something to please their palette there.

Finger foods are plentiful at Giant of Siam, and they provide an appetizing introduction to the full lunch and dinner menus. Satay is a popular treat often served by street vendors and restaurants in Thailand. Skewered meat, typically chicken or beef, is marinated and then grilled, and at Giant of Siam, it is served with a delicious peanut sauce. Tod Man is a spicy dish of minced fish and shrimp mixed with a Thai curry paste and deep fried. Siam Rolls are made of minced chicken, bean sprouts, celery, carrots and bean thread delicately wrapped in wonton skin and served with a sweet and sour sauce. Vegetable Tempura are a lighter yet satisfying treat of deep fried vegetables, also served with sweet and sour sauce.

Soups are essential in the typical Thai diet, and several are present on the menu at Giant of Siam. Tom Yum is a spicy soup of chili, lemon grass, lime juice, tomatoes and mushrooms. Tom Kha Gai has a creamy coconut base with chunks of chicken, galanga (in the ginger family), lemon grass, lime juice and mushrooms. Giant Hot and Sour Soup is a bowl of happiness: pineapple, tomatoes, onions, hot peppers, scallions, and your choice of chicken or shrimp all combine for a sweet, savory, spicy and wholesome addition to your meal.

Possibly the most recognizable Thai dish is Pad Thai. Consisting of rice noodles, a protein such as chicken, beef or tofu, a scrambled egg, bean sprouts, and topped with crushed peanuts, it often contains other vegetables and is served by street vendors, in floating markets, and in restaurants and homes across Thailand. Variations of Pad (or Phad) Thai at Giant of Siam include plain (no protein), shrimp, chicken and tofu. Whichever you choose, you are guaranteed a hefty portion of an absolutely wonderful dish.

As with nearly all East Asian cultures, rice and noodle dishes are very prominent in Thailand. Numerous options are enjoyed throughout the country, and many are newly discovered here in the states when we order from a Thai establishment. Giant of Siam offers a huge array of rice and noodle dishes beyond Pad Thai, and they can all embrace the flavors, textures and colors so characteristic of Thailand. Khao Pad Kra Prao can be ordered mild, medium or hot, and consists of Thai fried rice with chicken, peas, onions, red peppers and Thai basil leaves. Rad Na is a noodle dish (your choice of flat noodles or rice stick noodles) topped with savory chicken and shrimp, broccoli, carrots, mushrooms and garlic in a brown sauce. Kao Soi Noodles is a dish made with egg noodles that are topped with chicken, crispy noodles, bean sprouts, carrots, fried red onion and scallions.

Curries are adored around the world, and in Thailand, there is no exception. In fact, Thai curries are themselves world-famous. Giant of Siam makes several that embody the marriage of the beloved spice, technique and individual ingredients that make a Thai curry so special. Massaman Curry is coconut milk-based, relatively mild, and shines with the addition of onions, carrots, peanuts, potatoes and pineapple. Red Curry is a little more adventurous with heat, and showcases bamboo shoots, string beans, and red and green peppers. Panang Curry is bright and cheerful with carrots, lime leaves, summer squash and snow peas. Add chicken, tofu, beef, shrimp, squid, roasted duck, scallops or additional vegetables to any curry dish.

Thailand is recognized for the pristine waters of their canals, rivers and the surrounding ocean. It is a country that celebrates the bounty of its waters by highlighting it in their vibrant dishes. At Giant of Siam, no details are spared in their menu. Yum Ta Lae is an eye-opening dish of shrimp, scallops, squid and mussels, with the addition of onions, scallions, carrots, and a special hot and sour sauce. Pla Khing Koong is a deep fried filet of fish piled with shrimp, fresh ginger, mushrooms, onions and green peppers. Shrimp and Squid Cashews is a dish that is true to its name: shrimp and squid are sauteed with cashews, chili paste, red peppers, broccoli and string beans. If you enjoy the combination of surf and turf, there are also dishes that bring together the likes of chicken or duck with shrimp.

The lunch and dinner menus at Giant of Siam are so much more than can be explained in one article. Whether you order something that you know you will like, or decide to try a dish that is new to you, the options are so numerous, colorful, tasty and delightful, you are likely to find yourself visiting again and again in order to try as much as possible. The owners and staff are sincere in their determination to not only serve amazing food and drink, but to do so with genuine kindness and generosity. That itself is a testament to their success for the last thirty-three years. Here’s to thirty-three more!

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