Thailand, a country rich in culture and history, is equally famous for its delectable and diverse cuisine. From the bustling streets of Bangkok to the quiet villages in the north, food is a quintessential part of Thai life. Here, we explore 15 must-try Thai cuisine in Thailand, delving into their history, ingredients, and where to find the best versions.
Pad Thai
Pad Thai, a stir-fried noodle dish, is arguably the most famous Thai food worldwide. It’s a delightful mix of rice noodles, tofu or shrimp, bean sprouts, peanuts, lime, and a variety of spices. Originating from the Ayutthaya Kingdom, this dish is a staple in street food stalls and restaurants across Thailand. You can savour the best Pad Thai at Thip Samai in Bangkok, with prices ranging from 60 to 400 Baht.
Tom Yum Goong
Tom Yum Goong, a spicy shrimp soup, showcases the rich flavours of Thailand’s cuisine. This soup brings together lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, chilli, and lime juice, resulting in a broth that’s tangy, spicy, and aromatic. Originating from Central Thailand, this dish truly shines at P’Aor in Bangkok. Here, for a modest 80 to 100 Baht, you can savour this delightful soup.
Som Tam
Som Tam, also known as green papaya salad, is a refreshing dish hailing from Northeastern Thailand. This vibrant salad combines shredded unripe papaya, tomatoes, green beans, chilli, lime, fish sauce, and peanuts. If you’re seeking the best Som Tam, a visit to Som Tam Nua in Bangkok is a must. Here, starting from just 50 Baht, you can indulge in this delightful dish.
Massaman Curry
Massaman Curry, a rich and creamy dish, embodies the diverse flavours of Thai cuisine. This Southern Thai speciality combines coconut milk, potatoes, roasted peanuts, bay leaves, sugar, cinnamon, and tamarind sauce, typically paired with chicken or beef. For an authentic Massaman Curry experience, head over to Kaeng Ron Baan Suan in Chiang Mai. Here, for a price range of 100 to 200 Baht, you can indulge in this delightful curry.
Khao Soi
Khao Soi, a creamy coconut curry noodle soup, is a must-try dish from Northern Thailand. It features soft wheat noodles and crispy deep-fried noodles, pickled mustard greens, shallots, lime, and meat, usually chicken or beef. The best Khao Soi can be found at Khao Soi Mae Sai in Chiang Mai, with prices starting from 40 Baht.
Mango Sticky Rice
Mango Sticky Rice, or Khao Niew Ma Muang, is a popular Thai cuisine. It’s a simple yet delicious combination of glutinous rice, fresh mango, and sweet coconut milk. This dessert is best enjoyed at Kor Panich Mango Sticky Rice in Bangkok, where it costs around 50 to 100 Baht.
Satay
Satay, a favourite street food in Thailand, consists of skewered and grilled meat, typically chicken, pork, or beef, served with a delectable peanut sauce. For the ultimate Satay experience, a visit to Satay Street in Bangkok is a must. Here, you can savour this mouth-watering dish for a mere 5 to 10 Baht per skewer.
Thai Green Curry
Thai Green Curry, or Gaeng Keow Wan, is a classic Thai dish. It’s a blend of green chillies, coconut milk, aubergines, bamboo shoots, coriander, and basil, usually served with chicken or beef. The best Green Curry can be found at Ran Gaeng Pa Sriyan in Bangkok, with prices ranging from 80 to 150 Baht.
Moo Ping
In Thailand, Moo Ping, also known as grilled pork skewers, often graces the breakfast table. A marinade of garlic, coriander, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sugar infuses the pork before grilling it to achieve the perfect char. For the best Moo Ping experience, head over to Moo Ping Hea Owen in Bangkok. Here, for just around 10 Baht per skewer, you can start your day with this delightful dish.
Gai Yang
Gai Yang, also known as Thai grilled chicken, holds a special place in the culinary scene of Northeastern Thailand. The chicken, marinated in a flavourful mix of garlic, pepper, coriander, turmeric, and fish sauce, is then grilled over charcoal to perfection. For a memorable Gai Yang experience, a visit to Kai Yang Wichian Buri in Bangkok is a must. Here, for a modest price range of 70 to 150 Baht, you can savour this delightful dish.
Pad Krapow Moo Saap
Pad Krapow Moo Saap, or fried pork with Thai basil, is a simple yet delicious Thai dish. It’s a blend of minced pork, Thai basil, chillies, garlic, and oyster sauce, typically served with rice and a fried egg. This dish is best enjoyed at Raan Jay Fai in Bangkok, where it costs around 400 Baht.
Khao Pad
Khao Pad, or Thai fried rice, is a staple dish in Thailand. It’s a simple blend of rice, egg, onion, and a few herbs, usually served with shrimp or chicken. The best Khao Pad can be found at Nai Mong Hoi Thod in Bangkok, with prices ranging from 60 to 100 Baht.
Thai Iced Tea
Thai Iced Tea, or Cha Yen, is a refreshing drink perfect for Thailand’s tropical climate. It’s a blend of strong black tea, sugar, condensed milk, and evaporated milk, served over ice. This drink is best enjoyed at Cha Tra Mue in Bangkok, where it costs around 30 Baht.
Roti
Roti, an Indian flatbread, has found its place as a beloved street food in Thailand. Whether filled with sweet combinations like banana and chocolate or savoury options such as egg and cheese, it caters to a variety of tastes. For an exceptional Roti experience, make your way to Roti Mataba in Bangkok. Here, for a modest price range of 30 to 60 Baht, you can indulge in this versatile treat.
Durian
Durian, hailed as the ‘king of fruits’, beckons the adventurous eaters. While its strong smell might be off-putting to some, the fruit’s flesh reveals a sweet and creamy delight. If you’re up for the challenge, head over to Or Tor Kor Market in Bangkok. Here, you can savour this unique fruit, with prices ranging from 200 to 500 Baht per kilogram.
In a nuthsell, Thai cuisine is a vibrant mix of flavours, textures, and aromas, reflecting the country’s rich cultural heritage. Whether you’re exploring the bustling street food markets of Bangkok or dining in a traditional restaurant in Chiang Mai, these 15 dishes offer a taste of Thailand’s culinary diversity. So, on your next visit, make sure to embark on this culinary journey and savour the best that Thai cuisine has to offer.
