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Muslim Food in Southern Thailand

Muslims in Thailand, following Islam with its specific dietary laws, began migrating to the southern region in the 15th Buddhist century (around the 10th–11th century CE).

Southern Thai Muslim Cuisine (2025-07-19) by Suan Sunandha Rajabhat UniversityThe Office of Arts and Culture, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University

Southern Thai Muslim Cuisine

Southern Thai Muslim cuisine has been influenced by Middle Eastern Culture through Arab and Indian traders who came to the region for trade and eventually settled there, leading to a fusion of their culinary traditions with local dishes.

Culinary Practices of Middle Eastern Muslim Communities (2025-07-19) by Suan Sunandha Rajabhat UniversityThe Office of Arts and Culture, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University

Middle Eastern Muslim Cooking

Middle Eastern Muslims typically prepare beef, lamb, goat, and chicken by boiling, stewing, or grilling. Their dishes are seasoned with various spices, such as cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, nutmeg, and cumin, and often include legumes.

Satay (Grilled Skewered Meat Served with Peanut Sauce) (2025-07-19) by Suan Sunandha Rajabhat UniversityThe Office of Arts and Culture, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University

Satay (Grilled Skewered Meat Served with Peanut Sauce)

Satay is a dish adapted from the Middle Eastern kebab. It is made from chicken, beef, or goat meat, marinated in spices, skewered, and grilled. It is typically served with peanut sauce or a sweet and sour cucumber relish called ajad.

Dietary Customs of Muslim Communities (2025-07-19) by Suan Sunandha Rajabhat UniversityThe Office of Arts and Culture, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University

Dietary Customs of Muslim Communities

Middle Eastern Muslims commonly use wheat and barley to make flatbreads like roti, which are eaten with various curries. Rice is also prepared with great care, often as biryani or a similar spiced dish, and was historically reserved for the upper class or special occasions.

Roti Pa Ya (Grilled or Toasted Flatbread) (2025-07-19) by Suan Sunandha Rajabhat UniversityThe Office of Arts and Culture, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University

Roti Pa Ya (Grilled or Toasted Flatbread)

Roti Pa Ya is a flatbread made from wheat or barley flour, grilled or toasted. It is typically served with beef or chicken curry and is considered a staple food among Middle Eastern Muslims.

Roti Mataba (Stuffed Flatbread with Spiced Meat) (2025-07-19) by Suan Sunandha Rajabhat UniversityThe Office of Arts and Culture, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University

Roti Mataba (Stuffed Flatbread with Spiced Meat)

Roti Mataba is a popular dish in Southern Thailand. It is made by wrapping a thin flatbread around a filling of minced meat—such as chicken, beef, or goat—stir-fried with spices. It is typically served with Ajad, a sweet and sour cucumber relish.

Khao Mok Pae (Thai Muslim Goat Biryani) (2025-07-19) by Suan Sunandha Rajabhat UniversityThe Office of Arts and Culture, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University

Khao Mok Pae (Thai Muslim Goat Biryani)

Khao Mok Pae is a dish commonly prepared for celebrations such as weddings or religious holidays. It consists of basmati rice and goat meat marinated in a variety of aromatic and distinctive spices.

Sampusa (Southern Thai-Style Samosa) (2025-07-16) by Suan Sunandha Rajabhat UniversityThe Office of Arts and Culture, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University

Sampusa (Southern Thai-Style Samosa)

Sampusas are a traditional Muslim snack made with flour dough. These triangular pastries are stuffed with spiced vegetables or minced chicken, then deep-fried until golden brown.

Coconut is a significant ingredient in Muslim cuisine (2025-07-19) by Suan Sunandha Rajabhat UniversityThe Office of Arts and Culture, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University

Coconut is a significant ingredient in Muslim cuisine.

Malaysian and Indonesian Muslims frequently cook with coconut milk, creating dishes similar to Thai curries but with less intense flavors. This results in food that is rich and creamy, with a mildly salty taste.

Vegetable Curry with Coconut Milk (2025-07-19) by Suan Sunandha Rajabhat UniversityThe Office of Arts and Culture, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University

Sayur Putih (Vegetable Curry with Coconut Milk)

Sayur Putih, is a traditional dish of the Malay Muslims in Southern Thailand. It has a mild, creamy, and slightly salty flavor. This dish is often eaten alongside spicier foods to help balance out the heat.

Thai Muslim Salad with Peanut Sauce (2025-07-19) by Suan Sunandha Rajabhat UniversityThe Office of Arts and Culture, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University

Salad Kaek (Thai Muslim Salad with Peanut Sauce)

Salad Kaek, a snack popular with Southern Thai Muslims, is a salad made with blanched vegetables, boiled egg, and fried tofu. It's topped with a fragrant sauce of peanuts and fried shallots, giving it a flavor profile that is sweet, salty, and sour.

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