The Rice Table: Constructing a Complete Thai Meal

The complete Thai meal — the rice table (khao rop) — is not a sequential progression of courses but a simultaneous presentation: all dishes served at once, each playing a structural role in the balance of the meal. Thompson's books are as much about the structure of the Thai meal as about individual preparations — understanding why certain dishes appear together and what each contributes to the complete eating experience is as important as understanding the individual techniques.