Last-Minute Holiday Gift Guide

Even though there’s no snow here in Thailand, we know that Christmas is just around the corner. If you’re like me, you’re starting to get nervous about all of the shopping you have left to do. Instead of fighting it out at the mall for the last discounted Blu-Ray player, let us help you with these specially-selected gift selections for Thai food enthusiasts from Temple of Thai. We’ve picked out the perfect gifts for for novice Thai cooks, experienced fruit carvers, and everyone in between.

Strands of Glittering Lights on Chiang Mai's Sunday Walking Street

Are you shopping for a college student, newlyweds, or anyone stocking a new kitchen from scratch? Or maybe someone who is just starting to explore Thai and Asian cooking? Popular Thai Cuisine is a beautifully photographed guide to over 100 Thai recipes, and Pum’s Lazy Thai Cuisine has simplified, easy-to-follow versions of many favorite Thai recipes. Pum tells aspiring cooks how to set up their Thai kitchen with only a few new tools – a wok, rice cooker, and a mortar and pestle. Of course, a good knife is indispensable in any new kitchen.

Thai’s love communal dining, and your friend who is always hosting dinner parties will love these tools to gather everyone around their table. A ceramic Tom Yam warmer keeps soups warm for a group, or heats up a makeshift fondue. An indoor fish grill is an elaborate way to present a hot, whole fish – a popular Asian tradition. This lets everyone at the table grab a piece while it sputters and steams. This tabletop grill lets your guests grill their own meats and make a flavorful vegetable broth for an at-home hot-pot party. Guests will enjoy cooking their own satay or grilled vegetables on this charcoal outdoor stove. Common all over Thailand, this grill is easy to store, quick to set up, and a welcome centerpiece to any outdoor party.

If someone on your list is an enthusiastic Jack-o-Lantern carver, or they’re always looking for a show-stopping garnish on their table, they’ll love Thai fruit carving. Books, knives, or instructional videos can are a good starting place for a beginner, while an experienced fruit carver would appreciate a complete set of fruit-carving knives.

Need an unexpected gift for the cook who has everything? This cast-iron Kanom Krok Pan will let them whip up simple, delicious coconut puddings or bite-sized snacks like shrimp or pork grilled in savory batter. This pan can also be used to make a version of the Scandanavian desert ebelskiver, the tiny Dutch pancakes called poffertjes, or Japanese takoyaki.

The coffee lover on your list can brew their own Thai Iced Coffee with this kit. Add a package of Thai Tea and they’ll have everything to recreate their favorite Thai street-corner drink shop. Roselle Tea and Pandan Tea are exotic, caffeine-free alternatives.

Temple of Thai’s One Click Cooking sets are great gifts for everyone. Send your favorite chef everything they need to cook Pad Thai, Satay, Tom Yum, or Thai noodles.