"Dianping" ranks Thai cuisine as 4th most popular among Chinese diners

     The annual must-try restaurant rankings report for 2023, provided by the lifestyle website Dianping, which caters to urban Chinese residents, demonstrates the successful recognition of the unique Thai food culture. It has continually created economic value, echoing the policy of promoting Thai cuisine to the world. Thai food has been acclaimed as a leader in Southeast Asian cuisine, ranking 4th in the list of popular international cuisines among Chinese people, following Western, Japanese, and Korean food.

     Data reveals that in the past three years, the number of Thai restaurants in Beijing has nearly tripled, with both small and large venues scattered across the city. They serve a variety of Thai dishes, from royal recipes to street food, especially Tom Yum Kung.

     Xinhua News Agency unveiled an interview with a Thai business owner who has been operating a Thai restaurant in Beijing for over 20 years. This restaurant was awarded the Thai SELECT symbol from the Ministry of Commerce at the end of 2022, confirming that the food preparation, ingredients, and flavors are authentically Thai. The restaurant sees a steady stream of customers, with over 50 tables served on some days. Despite the location being far from central Beijing, some customers drive more than 60 kilometers just to buy Tom Yum Kung and Tom Yum soup to take home.

     Moreover, it has been found that Chinese interest in Thai food has increased to the point of frequenting Thai restaurants and buying ingredients to cook Thai dishes at home. As Thai ingredients have become easily accessible in China, it is now possible for locals to practice cooking Thai food at home. This, along with the confidence provided by the Thai SELECT certification from Thai authorities, enhances consumers' trust even further.