The crazier the better!
Make your Thailand trip as extraordinary as you and experience their renowned exotic branding— something that could give you an impression of its culture. Compared to other Southeast Asian countries, Thailand has something you'd never expect: crazy and exotic delicacies! We’re talking about cobra blood, crocodile flesh, and your not so ordinary insects—all edible and waiting for you to enjoy!
Without further ado, here are our top picks on exotic food to try in Thailand!
1. Bamboo Worms (Rot Duan)
Dubbed as a starter on Thailand's exotic food menu for tourists, Bamboo worm is definitely the most tourist-friendly fried insect for beginners who want to try exotic food in Thailand. Contrary to its appearance, this Thailand exotic food also known as ‘Rot Duan’ or express train because of its shape, is spongy and crunchy in texture.
Bamboo worms are deep-fried and served with spices and could be found in any of Thailand's street food markets. So trying this when you visit Thailand might be your opportunity to unwind in the country while grabbing a cold drink paired with fried bamboo worms.
Chatuchak Market
Address: Kamphaeng Phet 2 Road, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
Contact Information: 022724440
2. Silk Larvae (Nhon Mhai)
Perhaps this exotic food in Thailand would make you say, "worry no worms."
Aside from bamboo worms, another worm dish on Thailand's exotic list is silk worm or silk larvae, commonly known as 'Nhon Mhai,' a renowned exotic Thailand food for drinkers. Most tourists who got to taste most of Thailand's exotic food could attest that Silk Larvae is ranked best among the top exotic foods in Thailand. Like bamboo worms, they are best paired with alcoholic beverages which complement soy sauce and pepper.
Khrok Mai Thai Lao
Address: 8 Lat Pla Khao 24 Alley, Chorakhe Bua, Lat Phrao, Bangkok 10230
Contact Information: +66-2-570-6234
Social: Facebook
3. Grasshoppers (Tak Ka Tan)
Who would have imagined that a hopping grasshopper on the lawns can be eaten in Thailand?
In case you didn't know, according to locals and tourists, Thai fried grasshoppers also known as ‘Tak Ka Tan’ taste quite similar to fried shrimp and are best rinsed down with a cold beer. This exotic food in Thailand is crunchier than any chips you've ever had and made more delicious when seasoned with chili or Thai pepper powder and golden mountain sauce. Furthermore, it has a little corn flavor when chewed!
Khao San Road Market (Old City)
Address: Khwaeng Talat Yot, Khet Phra Nakhon, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10200, Thailand
Contact Information: +66-2628-9068
4. Crickets (Jing Reed)
Crickets are more than just a loud pest at night in Thailand, and if you're wondering, it's a perfect snack for a warm drinking session or a night dining out in one of Thailand's popular street markets. This exotic Thailand food, like others, is known for its spicy flavor, enhanced by Thai pepper powder and golden mountain sauce.
Thailand's fried crickets are popular among tourists, comparable to grasshopper’s texture when fried. So worry no more about those noises they make at night and think about them crying because you’ll be going to spend a night eating crick-eats!
Khlong Toei Market (on Rama IV road)
Address: 1, Khlong Toei, Bangkok 10110 Thailand
5. Water Beetles (Maeng Kee Noon)
This crazy exotic food in Thailand will make you shiver if you’re not up for a challenge to try it, indeed, a challenge for one’s bravery. Water beetles are known for being one of the worst home pests that you have to deal with— of course aside from cockroaches.
This is one of Thailand's exotic foods that will make your brave spirit crazy. But who knows you might actually love its crispiness savored with Thai chili powder and golden sauce. So if you're still scared of them swarming around your room, maybe visiting Thailand and having the chance to try them will change your mind and make you fall in love with these crazy water beetles, also known as Maeng Kee Noon.
To Charoen Si Night Market
Address: 544W+W83, That Choeng Chum, Mueang Sakon Nakhon, Sakon Nakhon, Dong Mafai, Thailand
6. Developing Tadpoles (Mok Huak)
Frog meals are common in other countries, but a developing tadpole on a menu was rare. Tadpoles are less disturbing in appearance than other Thailand exotic food since they are completely boneless.
Developing Tadpoles, also known as Mok Huak is just one of the various common eats you'd see in Thailand. It is wrapped in a banana leaf and grilled with fermented fish sauce and seasoned with herbs and spices to alleviate the foul smell. As rare as you can see a tadpole on other countries' menus, they are also hard to trace in Thailand on a daily basis since they are only accessible during the rainy season.
Khlong Toei Market (on Rama IV road)
Address: 1, Khlong Toei, Bangkok 10110 Thailand
7. Raw Pig’s Blood (Luu Muu)
Thailand really challenges its tourists to see whether their bravery can withstand what's on their plate. If you've never eaten a raw pig's blood straight from a pig's murder— you're probably going to throw up. But, Thailand's way may tempt you to try it!
Raw pig's blood, also known as Luu Muu, is mostly sold at ethnic Thai restaurants or nearby markets, often paired with noodle soup, crispy deep-fried noodles, or uncooked beef with marinated pig intestines and kaffir lime leaf, though mostly it is served raw with additional spices. Despite health experts' warnings regarding how Thailand's culture of serving raw blood soup could lead to infections, raw pig's blood remains on the top list of the craziest and most famous exotic food in Thailand.
Lek Luead Mu Restaurant
Address: Sathu Pradiphat Road 20, Saphan Kwai intersection, Bangkok
Contact Information: 091-556-8988
8. Fried Tarantula
One of your most hated crawlers at home is actually one of Thailand's top exotic food to taste. They sell fried Tarantulas in the market!
Fried spiders sound strange and interesting to try if you're gutsy enough to brave Thailand's normalized culture of eating insects. Although fried spiders originated as a regional food in Cambodia, they are also available in famous Thailand street markets. Fried tarantulas are either sold per piece or per stick.
Khao San Road Market (Old City)
Address: Khwaeng Talat Yot, Khet Phra Nakhon, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10200, Thailand
Contact Information: +66-2628-9068
IMPORTANT NOTE: Be a responsible traveler! All information on this post are accurate from the time of writing. Rules, regulations and guidelines are updated frequently and may change without Klook’s prior notice. For your safety, check with the respective LGU’s and establishments directly before your travels.