The Best Thai Food in Thailand to Try

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Last Updated on December 26, 2023 by sydabroad

Looking for the best Thai food in Thailand to try?

When I think of Thailand, I dream of the beautiful beaches, amazing culture, and delicious cuisine! Thailand has some of the best food in the world and I’m going to share all the dishes you need to try when you visit.

I would consider myself an expert when it comes to eating your way through Thailand. I spent 3 months living here during a semester abroad in college and more recently went back to visit Thailand during a Southeast Asia backpacking trip.  

Thai food is rich, spicy, sweet, and incredibly delicious. Some of the most popular Thai dishes include Thai curries, pad thai, and Thai basil. In this article, I’m going to share with you the best foods to try in Thailand. Make sure to save this post for your visit! 

Looking for More Thailand guides? 

• A Guide to Visiting Erawan National Park
• The Ultimate Guide to Phuket, Thailand
• All You Need to Know Before Attending Thailand’s Full Moon Party

Keep reading to discover the best Thai food in Thailand to try. 

The Best Thai Foods to Try in Thailand 

1. Kai Jeow (Thai Omelet) 

This dish is a Thai staple and is commonly enjoyed for breakfast around the country. Although I would typically have these at any meal because they are so appetizing! The omelet is made with eggs, fish sauce, and soy sauce and it is served over a bed of rice. 

Thai omelets are flat, unlike traditional American omelets. They include different spices and are cooked at a high temperature. You have to add sweet and sour chili sauce on top – it’s incredible. 

At some restaurants, you’ll have the option to add a protein to the omelet. They are certainly a simple and tasty Thai meal to try while you are here! 

2. Panag Curry  (Thai Curry) 

Now, on to the Thai curry dishes. Traditional Thai curries are all delicious. They are rich in flavor and you can find them just about anywhere in the country. Panag curry is a type of red Thai curry that typically includes chili peppers, ginger, lemongrass, and more delicious spices. It’s usually served with chicken over a bed of rice. 

I’d always add a fried egg on top of my curries, it’s delicious you should try it!

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3. Gaeng Keow Wan (Green Curry)  

Another Thai food to try in Thailand is traditional green curry. It’s made with green chilies giving it the green color. This curry tends to be a bit less spicy than red curries. Like other Thai curries, green curry is typically served over rice with a variety of veggies and your choice of protein. 

4. Massaman Curry

Massaman curry is rich, thick, and flavorful. This curry includes peanuts and potatoes making it unique compared to the others. You have to try it. 

5. Gaeng Phed (Red Curry) 

Next on this list is another tasty curry dish in Thailand, Gaeng Daeng, or red curry. It’s made with red curry paste and typically spicer than the other curries It’s the perfect balanced meal with either chicken, shrimp, or tofu. You can’t go wrong with red curry in Thailand

6. Kaeng Lueang (Yellow Curry)  

Kaeng lueang or yellow curry, is the mildest of the Thai curries. This dish is perfect for those who don’t enjoy spice very much. It’s made with a blend of traditional spices and coconut milk.

7. Pad Thai 

Probably the most common dish is pad thai. You will find this dish just about everywhere and it’s so delicious. I’m sure most of you are familiar with pad thai but if you aren’t, pad thai is a stir-fried rice noodle dish. It’s typically made with rice noodles, shrimp or chicken, peanuts, scrambled eggs, and bean sprouts. 

8. Pad See Ew (Thick noodle dish) 

Another common noodle dish to try in Thailand is pad see ew. This is a stir-fried noodle dish that’s commonly found at restaurants and street vendors. The main difference between pad thai and pad see ew is that the pad see ew noodles are wider and flatter and there’s more of a soy sauce flavor. 

9. Kei Med Ma Muang (Chicken with cashew nuts) 

This sweet and flavorful dish is made with stir-fried chicken with cashew nuts, soy sauce, honey, chilies, pepper, mushrooms, and any other veggies the restaurant chooses to use. This is one of my favorite dishes in Thailand. 

10. Som Tam (Spicy green papaya salad)  

Papaya salad originated in Laos however it’s commonly served in Thailand and there is a Thai take on the dish in some places. Papaya salad is a refreshing dish made with Thai chilies, long beans, roasted peanuts, and green papaya. It’s sweet and spicy and packed with flavor. 

11. Pad Krapow (Fried basil)

Spicy Thai basil is a stir-fried dish made with finely chopped or ground chicken cooked with chile peppers and many other spices. It’s typically served with rice and is so yummy. 

12. Thai Spring rolls

One of the best Thai foods to try in Thailand is the spring rolls. These are the best Thai appetizers. I ordered these almost every other day they are so good. Thai spring rolls are typically made with carrots, cabbage, noodles, and some spices. 

13. Kao Niew Ma Muang (Mango sticky rice)

Mango sticky rice is arguably the best dessert in Thailand. You can find this at just around any restaurant or street food market. It’s made with sticky rice, fresh mango, and coconut milk. You have to try this dish if you are visiting Thailand.

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14. Chicken Satay 

If you are a picky eater, you go for chicken satay. This is essentially chicken skewers marinated in a Thai peanut sauce. It makes for such a great appetizer or meal if served with rice. 

15. Tom Yum Goong (Spicy shrimp soup)

There are so many amazing soups to try in Thailand. Tom yum goong is a type of hot and sour soup that includes shrimp. Tom Yum Soup is one of the most popular soups in Thailand. 

16. Tom Kha Gai (Thai chicken coconut soup) 

This is a Thai coconut soup that’s made with coconut milk, mushroom, chicken,  and all sorts of spices. Another great soup to try in Thailand. 

17. Pad Woon Sen (Stir-fried glass noodles )

Pad woon sen is is clear glass noodle dish stir-fried in a savory sauce with chicken and some veggies. This is a nice light noodle dish compared to others.

18. Banana Roti 

Another must-try dessert in Thailand is banana roti. This is essentially wheat flour pan-fried with sweetened condensed milk, sugar, banana, and sometimes chocolate. It’s similar to a warm pastry – this is so good and you’ll find them from street vendors. 

19. Thai Tea

Thai tea is sweet and flavorful. It doesn’t taste like any other tea I’ve ever had. Because of the condensed milk, it’s almost like a dessert in my opinion. Thai tea is very refreshing on a hot day. Keep in mind that some Thai teas can be wayy sweet. Like too sweet. You can ask for less sweetness in many places.  

20. Khao Pad Sapparod (Pineapple fried rice) 

This is a Thai pineapple fried rice. If you want something sweet and spicy you’ll have to try khao pad sapparod during your trip! It’s mixed with shrimp, pineapple, cashews, and spices. 

How Much Does a Meal Cost in Thailand?

You find the most delicious foods for an insanely inexpensive price. Street food in Thailand will range from 30 baht to 90 baht (about .90 cents to $2.50). And trust me, you need to try the street food. It’s always the best. 

On the other hand, restaurant prices can range anywhere from 50 baht to 500 baht or more. All and all, it is much cheaper to dine in Thailand than in Western countries. 

Learn How to Make Thai Food in Thailand 

I highly suggest taking a cooking class while you are in Thailand. I took a cooking class in Chiang Mai and it was so much fun learning how to cook authentic Thai cuisine. You can find cooking schools all over the country. Browse Thai cooking classes here. 

Best Street Food Markets in Thailand

• Naka Market in Phuket town 
• Chatuchak Weekend Market in Bangkok 
• Chiang Mai’s night bazaar market 
• Yeowarat Road in Bangkok 

Street Food in Thailand Tips 

Street food is typically perfectly safe to eat in Thailand. Just watch what you eat and be smart about it. Here are some tips below you can use. I’d say the main thing to take away, is that if it’s a popular stand with lots of people that have eaten there, you’re fine.

• Choose busy street vendors, that way you know the food is fresh.  
• If you have a food allergy, bring a card with you in the local language.
• Avoid raw or undercooked seafood or meat.
• Skip raw fruit and vegetables unless they can be peeled (if they are washed with tap water it could make you sick).
• If you’re nervous about any food, take activated charcoal – I never travel without this stuff. It absorbs toxins in your stomach and can prevent stomach aches.  
• Thai spice and spicy are completely different. I love spicy food and Thai spice is HOT. Stay on the safe side and order food with a “little spice.” Trust me, it will be plenty spicy.
• On the other hand, some Thai food can be incredibly sweet. Like too sweet at times.
• In Thailand, you won’t find knives or chopsticks. You will typically eat with either a fork, a spoon, or your fingers.
• Got to 7-Eleven for a quick bite to eat! 7-Eleven’s in Asia are the best. A few things you should try are the toasties, bao bun, sushi, and coffee at their cafe.

Alright, well now I’m hungry. I hope you enjoyed this guide all about the best Thai food in Thailand that you have to try on your next trip! If you have any questions about visiting Thailand, DM me on Instagram @sydabroad_ or comment below.

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