Planning to visit Thailand anytime soon? If so, then you absolutely need to read up on its fiery cuisine before you go! Besides its bustling markets, the Land of Smiles is a foodie’s paradise brimming with exotic flavours and so many tasty dishes to try. From spicy stir-fry noodles to red curries, be prepared because you’re in for a gastronomic treat!
Taste some of the best local food in Thailand with our trusty guide:
- Pad Thai
- Tom Yum Goong
- Tom Kha Gai
- Guay Tiew
- Kai Med Mamuang
- Pad See Ew
- Gaeng Daeng Gai
- Gaeng Keow Wan Gai
- Kaeng Lueang
- Khao Soi
- Som Tam
- Yum Pla Duk Fu
- Pla Neung Manow
- Pad Krapow
- Khao Pad Sapparod
- Poh Pia Tod
- Banana Roti
- Khao Niao Mamuang
1. Pad Thai (Thai-style Fried Noodles)
Pad Thai’s the most popular Thai food in town; you can find it on almost every corner in Thailand. Image credits: Augustinus Martinus Noppe on Pexels
The first thing you’d wanna have in your tummy upon touching down in Thailand is a good bowl of Pad Thai. A signature dish composed of fresh prawns, crunchy bean sprouts, tasty tofu cubes, finely grated peanuts, and grilled chicken strips, Pad Thai is a staple on every menu—from the streets to five-star Michelin restaurants. Although this Thai food can also be widely found in Australia, there’s nothing like chowing down on the O-G with a turquoise blue ocean and long boats as your backdrop!
Klook Tip: Discover the best Pad Thais in BKK with the Midnight Food Tour! Go around in a tuk-tuk (Thai rickshaws) to get to the city's most famous and hidden food spots.
2. Tom Yum Goong (Spicy Shrimp Soup)
Set your buds ablaze with this extra spicy seafood soup! Image credits: Streets of Food on Unsplash
Are you missing Aussie seafood? Fret not! Thailand has plenty of dishes to cure your seafood cravings, such as the Tom Yum Goong—aka spicy shrimp soup! This iconic bowl of steaming goodness is cooked with quintessential Thai ingredients of lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, fish sauce, fresh chillies, shallots, and fat juicy prawns for that strong, savoury, spicy kick! If you fear seafood in Thailand may not be as fresh as Australia, it is recommended to do a quick touch test - the fish should be firm to touch, with the flesh springing back and definitely not slimy!
3. Tom Kha Gai (Thai Chicken in Coconut Soup)
his creamy soup is a complete meal in a bowl. Image credits: @seonkyounglongest on Instagram
As for travellers who want to ease their stomachs before diving into tangy Thai food, Tom Kha Gai is the perfect starter with its rich and creamy blend. Coconut milk, Asian mushrooms, ginger, and cilantro leaves fuse together to create a light yet sweet and citrusy aftertaste.
4. Guay Tiew (Noodle Soup)
Guay Tiew is available in chicken, pork, and seafood. Image credits: @kceatsin on Instagram
If you plan to hit up any of Bangkok’s floating markets, then you can’t miss eating Guay Tiew–meaning “noodles.” An amazing meat broth simmered in spices, it’s a popular food choice among street stalls and boat markets. If you get a chance to visit Damneon Saduak, you can get a freshly made “boat noodle” from one of the floating merchants along the canals. How do you pronounce this popular Thai food one may ask? Phonetically, it sounds like Gu-aye two!
Sounds exciting? Discover Bangkok with our handy guide:
5. Kai Med Mamuang (Thai Cashew Chicken)
Your dose of veggies but Thai style! Image credits: @flythai_kz on Instagram
Our next must-try food in Thailand has four wonderful flavours: sweet, spicy, chewy, and salty. Kai Med Mamuang is a chicken stir-fried dish topped with cashew nuts, soy sauce, honey, pepper, and loads of veggies. Often, locals pair this dish with a steaming cup of jasmine rice for a healthier, well-balanced meal.
6. Pad See Ew (Thai Rice Noodles)
Pad See Ew is a milder, less spicy alternative to Pad Thai. Image credits: @thaiexpresskitchen on Instagram
A Thai street food special, Pad See Ew, is an extremely popular dish among Thais and tourists. Its fat rice noodles covered in soy sauce are topped with chicken, pork, or beef, plus Chinese broccoli. You can sample the best Pad See Ew from Yaowarat Road in Bangkok and discover more amazing food in Thailand there.
Klook Tip: Nothing feels better than cooking your own scrumptious meal and eating it too! Learn how to make your own Pad See Ew at the House of Taste Cooking School in Bangkok
7. Gaeng Daeng Gai (Red Curry)
Spice, rice, and everything nice! Image credits: @antoineeger on Instagram
Our next dish features fiery flavours to put your spice tolerance to the test. Gaeng Daeng Gai is Thailand’s famous red curry made from different spices: dried red Asian chillies, coriander, cumin, and white pepper. Throw in the meat of your choice (usually beef, chicken, and fish), and you’ve got one savoury feast!
Klook Tip: Love the dish? Learn how to make it yourself with a Sompong Thai Cooking Class that’ll teach you how to prepare curry from scratch and become a guru of Thai food!
8. Gaeng Keow Wan Gai (Green Curry)
Gaeng Keow Wan Gai is the hottest curry in Thailand. Image credits: @sukhumvit.station on Instagram
Is it just us, or is it hotter here? That’s probably ‘cos of the Gaeng Keow Wan Gai—or green curry for short! This dish turns the spice to the max with its green-chilli-pepper-based paste and turmeric powder—a thrilling treat for hot food lovers! Think you can handle the ultimate spice of Thai food? Find out by ordering a Gaeng Keow Wan Gai with your mates in Thailand!
9. Kaeng Lueang (Yellow Curry)
Get on the milder side of Thai curries with this hearty meal. Image credits: Streets of Food on Unsplash
Food in Thailand is so diverse that you’ll discover more than just two types of curries—there are actually three! The Kaeng Lueang—aka the yellow curry—is the least spicy, thanks to the coconut cream and shrimp paste that perfectly balances out the spice. It has a mellow taste for kids and foodies who aren’t huge fans of too-spicy food.
10. Khao Soi (Thai Coconut Curry Noodle Soup)
This food in Thailand is a must-eat if you love Chinese Chow Mein (crispy noodles). Image credits: 8-Low Ural on Unsplash
Is Chiang Mai a part of your Thailand travel list? If it’s a yes, then make sure to stop by Khao Soi Khun Yai on Sri Poom 8 Alley to indulge in a Khao Soi feast! The northern Thailand region is a Khao Soi mecca with restaurants serving the traditional Chang Mai dish all over town. It’s a local fave because of its crunchy fried egg noodles swimming in thick, rich coconut broth, topped with sweet and spicy chilli sauce and fresh lime.
Looking for more exciting activities to add to your Chiang Mai bucket list? Check out these 18 best things to do in Northern Thailand:
Klook Tip: No-one knows how to cook Thai food as well as Grandma! You can cook curries with her at Grandma’s Home Cooking School in Chiang Mai!
11. Som Tam (Spicy Green Papaya Salad)
Not your typical salad! Image credits: @amatararesort on Instagram
Who here is a fan of a spicy salad? We are! Thailand to put a twist on your classic greens with lime juice, fish sauce, chillies, peanuts, and green papaya. Together, these ingredients form the colourful, sweet, and salty dish of Som Tam (Spicy Green Papaya Salad). You can taste its unique flavour almost everywhere in Thailand, but Som Tam Nua in Bangkok offers the best with six varieties and spice levels.
12. Yum Pla Duk Fu (Fried Catfish with Green Mango Salad)
Dig in with your hands when you eat this yummy dish! Image credits: @siripruttikul on Instagram
Yum Pla Duk Fu is a fine example of a Thai “drinking” food. This moist catfish is fried ‘til it’s crisp and fluffy, then paired with a refreshing plate of Som Tam or a spicy green mango salad and a can of Singha, a name you’re probably pretty familiar with as Thailand’s most popular beer. This hearty Thai dish isn’t only made for happy hour, but can also be a delicious lunch when matched with a cup of rice.
13. Pla Neung Manow (Steamed Fish with Lime Sauce)
Go for a healthy dinner. Image credits: @cook.thai.with.mumu on Instagram
Another sumptuous fish dish you should try while in Thailand is Pla Neung Manow—or what’s basically a steamed snapper covered in lime sauce. Its zesty and is a combination of chicken broth sauce, fish sauce, cilantro, and chilis for a healthy alternative to fried food.
Craving more seafood for your Thai food adventures? Head to Phuket, home to Thailand’s most idyllic beaches and freshest seafood! Check out the 18 top attractions in Phuket to make your trip shine:
Klook Tip: a popular clean and friendly cooking school in Phuket is Pum’s, right in the centre of Patong Beach!
14. Pad Krapow (Fried Basil)
Chilis add a hefty dose of spice on the minced pork rice meal. Image credits: @feast.by.sandra on Instagram
A Thai food that’s the perfect match for a foodie’s adventurous taste buds is this dish. The Pad Krapow is essentially minced pork (chicken, shrimp, or tofu) peppered with Thai basil and heaps of chilis. It has an odd palate of sharp, peppery, sour, and salty flavours that picky-eaters might take a while to adjust—but once you start to enjoy its oddity, you’ll never stop!
15. Khao Pad Sapparod (Pineapple Fried Rice)
Bright colours and refreshing flavours favour this eccentric Thai dish. Image credits: @chaophraya.id on Instagram
Instead of pineapples on pizza, the better question is “do you prefer rice on pineapple?” Strange, we know, but since we’re on the topic of the best Thai food, it’s hard not to miss Khao Pad Sapparod, otherwise known as pineapple fried rice. This sweet-tasting meal is cooked with steaming Jasmine rice, fresh shrimps, and curry powder mixed and served on a pineapple platter for a light yet satisfying dinner.
16. Poh Pia Tod (Thai Spring Rolls)
When it comes to finger food, you can’t go wrong with an order of Poh Pad Thai. This Thai-style spring roll is packed with ground pork, sliced carrots, rice noodles, and onions that are wrapped together and fried ‘til they’re golden.
17. Banana Roti (Banana Pancake)
While Thailand is known for its spicy dishes, its sweet street food are also to die for! Image credits: @haifoodarharry on Instagram
Craving sweets? Just head to any market in Thailand and you’ll find the sugary treat of Banana Roti, which is basically banana pancakes dipped and dripping with condensed milk. Street vendors often fry both sides of the pancake until it’s crispy—-the perfect snack to help you buzz through shopping runs.
18. Khao Niao Mamuang (Mango Sticky Rice)
Khao Niao Mamuang is an all-time fave with its tropical milky taste. Using simple ingredients, such as sticky rice, fresh mango slices, and a good amount of condensed milk, top pastry cooks in Thailand—aka the street merchants—whip up an amazing toothsome dessert best enjoyed by hand! Chiang Mai is most known for serving up delicious Mango Sticky Rice - and there’s nothing better than finishing off a night markets tour with this special treat.
Written by: Jianne Uy
![[Updated] Complete List Of Official Nationwide MCO SOP 2021](https://res.klook.com/image/upload/fl_lossy.progressive,q_85/c_fill,w_160,h_104/v1633858858/blog/iso56uzsphmdguixkvzh.jpg)
![[Updated] Complete List Of Official Nationwide MCO SOP 2021](https://res.klook.com/image/upload/fl_lossy.progressive,q_85/c_fill,w_410,h_264/v1633858858/blog/iso56uzsphmdguixkvzh.jpg)
