Known for being hot and spicy, Thai cuisine balances the five fundamental flavors in each dish, spicy, sour, sweet, salty, and bitter. Mandarin Oriental, Manila brings the flavors of Thailand in Manila with the Thai Village 2009: A Thai Food Festival at Paseo Uno until June 24.

Four culinary ambassadors from Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi, Chiang Mai headed by Chef Noppakorn Goonthamrongrat create traditional and innovative dishes from Northern Thailand that will be incorporated into lunch and dinner buffets. The event is held in partnership with Thai Airways and the Tourism Authority of Thailand, and with the support of the Royal Embassy of Thailand, and the Mandarin Oriental hotels in Chiang Mai and Bangkok.

Aside from sampling gustatory delights, diners have a chance to immerse themselves in Thai culture as a holiday trip for two to Bangkok and Chiang Mai courtesy of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, and a two-night stay each at Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok and Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi, is offered as the festival’s grand raffle prize.

Specialties offered on the buffet include: Yam Woonsen Talay, spicy glass noodle salad with sea food and fresh herbs; Kaeng Keaw Wan Kai, green chicken curry with eggplant and basil; Phad Kraprow Talay, Stir fried spicy seafood with hot basil; Kaeng Phed Ped Yang, red barbecue duck curry with grape and cherry tomatoes; Massamun Nua, Massaman curry with beef chunk and potatoes; and Kluay Buad Chee, banana cooked in sweet coconut milk.

For those who wish to bring the tastes of Thailand home, cooking class headed by Chef Noppakorn Goonthamrongrat will be held at 9:30 a.m. on June 20at The Tivoli. The class is inclusive of a light breakfast and a three-course lunch, where students can sample the dishes that have been demonstrated. It includes the following dishes: Yam Nua Yang a-Ngun, grilled beef salad with grapes; Panang Ghoong, thick and creamy red prawns curry; and Tam Tim Krob chilled water chestnut rubies in coconut milk.