When it comes to Thai cuisine, one ingredient that often comes up in discussions is monosodium glutamate, more commonly known as MSG.
MSG is a common food additive used to enhance flavor, but it has also been controversial due to the perceived negative health effects associated with its consumption. Many people want to keep track of how much MSG they consume, especially if they have intolerances.
So, does thai food have msg ? The answer is a bit complicated. While not all Thai dishes contain MSG, the use of this flavor enhancer is relatively common in Thai cooking because it is often added to packet mixtures and spice mixes.
It's estimated that 70% of sauces and spice mixes used in Thai food have MSG. Since these are cheap and affordable ways to cook a meal, they are very widely used in restaurants.
But why does Thai food have MSG in the first place? MSG is often added to savory dishes to provide a boost of umami, the fifth taste that is commonly described as a savory, meaty flavor. It can also enhance sweet and sour flavors. In Thai cuisine, MSG is typically added to dishes like soups, curries, stir-fries, and sauces.
Interestingly, some Thai ingredients themselves naturally contain glutamic acid, which is the amino acid that makes up MSG. For example, fish sauce, a staple ingredient in many Thai dishes, is high in glutamic acid and can provide a similar flavor-enhancing effect as MSG. Similarly, fermented soybean products like soy sauce and miso also contain glutamic acid.
So while not all Thai dishes will contain MSG, they may still have the key components that make up MSG.
What Dishes in Thailand Have MSG?
While not all Thai food contains MSG, it is commonly used in particular dishes. Here are some examples of Thai dishes that may contain MSG:
Tom Yum Soup
This spicy and sour soup is a popular Thai dish made with shrimp, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, galangal, and chili peppers. Many recipes for Tom Yum soup call for the use of MSG to enhance its flavor.
Pad Thai
Pad Thai is a famous Thai stir-fried noodle dish made with rice noodles, eggs, shrimp, tofu, bean sprouts, and peanuts. Some restaurants may use MSG as a seasoning for their Pad Thai.
Green, Red, and Yellow Curry
Thai curries tend to always have MSG in local restaurants since they are made with packet mixes or spice mixes.
Green Curry (Kaeng Khiao Wan) is a Thai curry made with coconut milk, green chili peppers, lemongrass, galangal, and other herbs and spices. Some chefs may add MSG to the curry paste to enhance its flavor.
Thai yellow curry, also known as “Gaeng Garee” in Thai, is made with a blend of fresh herbs and spices, including turmeric, cumin, coriander, lemongrass, garlic, and ginger, which give the curry its distinct bright yellow color.
Thai red curry, also known as “Gaeng Dang” in Thai, is a spicy and flavorful curry that is made with a blend of fresh herbs and spices, including lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, garlic, and chili peppers, which give the curry its distinctive red color.
Massaman Curry
Massaman Curry is a rich and flavorful Thai curry made with beef or chicken, potatoes, peanuts, and spices like cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom. Some recipes for Massaman Curry may contain MSG.
Stir-fried Dishes
Many Thai stir-fried dishes like Pad Kra Pao (stir-fried basil chicken), Pad Prik Khing (stir-fried green beans with chili paste), and Pad Gra Prow (stir-fried pork with Thai basil) may contain MSG as a seasoning. Fried rice is also known for usually containing MSG.
Khao Soi
Khao Soi is a delicious and popular Northern Thai dish made with a rich, creamy curry broth and egg noodles. It’s traditionally made with chicken but can also be served with beef or tofu for vegetarians. The dish is a mixture of coconut milk, red curry paste, and a variety of aromatic herbs and spices such as turmeric, cumin, coriander, and ginger.
Fast Food Restaurants & Convenience Store Snacks
Many fast food restaurants claim not to use MSG in their products such as burgers and fries, but beware the sauce! The packet sauces often have MSG in them, so be sure to check the ingredients on the packet. Other foods such as instant noodles and packet mixed curries will usually have MSG, so be mindful when grabbing a quick late-night snack from the 7-Eleven.
Thai Dishes That Don’t Contain MSG
While many Thai dishes may contain MSG, there are also plenty of delicious options that do not. Here are some Thai dishes that are typically made without MSG:
Papaya Salad (Som Tum)
This refreshing salad is made with shredded green papaya, tomatoes, peanuts, and fish sauce. It’s a popular dish in Thailand and can be found at many Thai restaurants.
Grilled Meat Skewers (Moo Ping, Gai Yang)
These grilled meat skewers are marinated in flavorful spices like lemongrass, garlic, and turmeric and are often served with a sweet chili dipping sauce.
Stir-fried Vegetables (Pad Pak)
This dish features stir-fried vegetables like broccoli, carrots, and bok choy, which are cooked in a light sauce made with oyster sauce or soy sauce.
Tom Kha Gai Soup
This creamy and savory soup is made with chicken, coconut milk, lemongrass, galangal, and lime juice. It’s a popular dish in Thailand that is often served as an appetizer.
How To Avoid MSG in Thai Food?
If you’re concerned about consuming MSG, here are some practical ways you can avoid it:
1. Ask your server not to use MSG
It’s always a good idea to ask your server or chef if the dishes you’re ordering contain MSG. If you're dining at a more upscale restaurant or a restaurant in a 4 or 5-star hotel, you are more likely to avoid MSG. These types of establishments prefer not to use MSG, or if they do, they can easily remove it if you ask.
2. Look for restaurants that advertise “No MSG”
You can also look for restaurants that advertise themselves as MSG-free or that use natural flavor enhancers instead. Many vegan or healthy restaurants in Thailand have a “no MSG” policy.
3. Cook for yourself
If you really want to avoid MSG in Thailand, you can try cooking Thai food at home using fresh, natural ingredients and avoiding processed or packaged seasonings. Don't know how to cook Thai food? No problem! Take a cooking class. There are cooking classes in pretty much every major city in Thailand, and it’s one of the Thai bucket list experiences you must do when visiting the country.
FAQs About MSG in Thai Food
Here are some frequently asked questions about MSG in Thai food:
Final Thoughts
MSG is a common ingredient in Thai cuisine, but it’s not present in all dishes. If you’re concerned about consuming MSG, it’s always a good idea to ask your server or chef and look for restaurants that use natural flavor enhancers. And if you’re cooking Thai food at home, you can experiment with using natural sources of umami like fish sauce and fermented soybean products instead of using MSG.
