What to Bring to a Thai Restaurant
Your BYOB Thai Guide
Thai restaurants are one of the most prevalent types of BYOB restaurants in Chicago. Thai food is a delicious and complex cuisine that can be challenging to pair with wine. The flavors are often bold and spicy, and the acidity can be high. However, there are a few wines that can stand up to the heat and complexity of Thai food. Below are a few of the best wines to pair with Thai food. After you select what you want to bring, check out our list of BYOB Thai restaurants in Chicago!
Riesling. Riesling. Riesling.
If there was ever a “safe” pick for bringing a bottle to a Thai restaurant, then this is it. Riesling is a classic choice for pairing with Thai food. The acidity in Riesling helps to cut through the spice, and the fruitiness of the wine complements the flavors of the food. Generally, you want a dry or off-dry Riesling like a Trocken or Kabinett style.
Crisp White Wines
Other whites with a decent amount of acidity will also pair nicely. Sauvignon Blanc, Gruner, Chenin Blanc, and Gewurztraminer are great choices.
Sparkling Wines
Sparkling wines, such as Champagne or Prosecco, are also a great choice for Thai (and pretty much every other food in existence!). The bubbles in these wines help to cleanse the palate and cut through some of the spice.
Rosé Wines
Rosés are a great choice for Thai food. The fruitiness and acidity of Rosés play well with the spiciness and the wines tend to have a bit more body than some of the lighter white wines.
Beer
A light, crisp Lager will pair aptly, but I like to reach for a double dry hopped (DDH/Hazy/Juicy) IPA that offers delicious tropical fruit notes with the right balance of sweetness, acidity, and bitterness to really complement the dishes.
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