Thai Spicy Level Translator
Translate Thai spicy levels with chili count, SHU, and safe ordering phrases.
What this solves
Thai "mild" is not the same as Western mild. Bird's eye chilies (prik kee noo) score 50,000–100,000 SHU — hotter than most cayenne. When a Thai restaurant says "mild", locals still get chilies. This translator maps your tolerance to a chili count and tells you what to say in Thai.
How to read results
The chili count is the approximate number of bird's eye chilies per serving in your dish. SHU is the Scoville Heat Unit score — anything above 5,000 SHU starts to feel hot for many Westerners. If you want no chili at all, say "mai sai prik" (don't put chili) — even mild Thai som tam will be spicy without this clarification.
Limitations
- Chili count is per-serving estimate — regional and family variations exist.
- SHU is a chili-species measure, not a dish measure; mixed ingredients (lime, sugar) reduce perceived heat.
- Some dishes (prik nam pla) are dip-based; you control the amount consumed.
FAQ
What does "pet ma" mean?
"Pet ma" (เผ็ดมาก) means "very spicy" — for Thai people, not foreigners. "Mai sai prik" (ไม่ใส่พริก) means "no chili". "Aroy" (อร่อย) means "delicious" — useful to know!
Why is Thai som tam so spicy?
It's pounded with 4–6 bird's eye chilies by default, plus garlic, fish sauce, lime, and palm sugar. The sugar balances heat but doesn't remove it. "Pet tot" means "only a little spicy" — ask for that with som tam.
Does milk really help with chili burn?
Yes — casein in dairy binds to capsaicin and washes it away. Sugar and starchy rice also help. Water spreads capsaicin and can make it worse.
Sources
- Chile Pepper Institute — published SHU ranges for bird's eye chilies.
- Thai culinary tradition — typical chili counts in classic dishes.
- Wongnai — published spice-level guide for popular Thai dishes.