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The best Southeast Asian cookbooks

Thai, Vietnamese, Burmese, Lao and Cambodian cooking, from the books that got it right.

Read one before you go

1. Thai FoodDavid Thompson

   Thai Food

   David Thompson · 2002

   The deepest English book on Thai cooking, its history and its balance of flavors.

   Cook from it: Thai green curry (our write-up, saves to your recipes)

   Cook in its spirit: Green Mango Salad with Dried Shrimp and Peanuts, Red Curry of Duck with Lychees (Chef's own recipes, not the book's)

   No. 30 on The 100 Greatest Cookbooks

   Buy on Bookshop
2. Burma: Rivers of FlavorNaomi Duguid

   Burma: Rivers of Flavor

   Naomi Duguid · 2012

   Home cooking from a country few had cooked from, by a writer who walks to every kitchen.

   Cook in its spirit: Tea Leaf Salad (Lahpet Thoke), Slow-Braised Pork and Pumpkin Curry (Chef's own recipes, not the book's)

   No. 41 on The 100 Greatest Cookbooks

   Buy on Bookshop
3. The Pho CookbookAndrea Nguyen

   The Pho Cookbook

   Andrea Nguyen · 2017

   Vietnam's soup, from quick versions to a full day's broth, by the best writer on Vietnamese food.

   Cook from it: Beef pho (our write-up, saves to your recipes)

   Cook in its spirit: Weeknight Chicken Pho, Weekend Beef Pho with Charred Spices and Brisket (Chef's own recipes, not the book's)

   No. 45 on The 100 Greatest Cookbooks

   Buy on Bookshop
4. Memories of Philippine KitchensAmy Besa and Romy Dorotan

   Memories of Philippine Kitchens

   Amy Besa and Romy Dorotan · 2006

   Filipino food, its history and its regions, with the adobo you should make.

   Cook from it: Chicken adobo (our write-up, saves to your recipes)

   No. 81 on The 100 Greatest Cookbooks

   Buy on Bookshop
5. The Complete Asian CookbookCharmaine Solomon

   The Complete Asian Cookbook

   Charmaine Solomon · 1976

   Australia's guide to cooking across Asia, in print for fifty years.

   No. 82 on The 100 Greatest Cookbooks

   Buy on Bookshop

1. Cooking ThaiPim Techamuanvivit

   Cooking Thai

   Pim Techamuanvivit · 2026

   Heritage and modern Thai recipes from the Michelin-starred Kin Khao chef.

   No. 21 on The New Cookbooks

   Buy on Bookshop
2. My CambodiaNite Yun

   My Cambodia

   Nite Yun · 2025

   Cambodian home cooking from the Nyum Bai chef.

   No. 28 on The New Cookbooks

   Buy on Bookshop
3. The Lao KitchenSaeng Douangdara

   The Lao Kitchen

   Saeng Douangdara · 2026

   Ninety-five Lao recipes and the stories of a diaspora.

   No. 39 on The New Cookbooks

   Buy on Bookshop

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