The top foods every foodie must try in Thailand are Pad Thai, Tom Yum Goong, green curry, Som Tam, Massaman curry, mango sticky rice, Pad Kra Pao, Khao Soi, Gai Yang, Tom Kha Gai, Thai iced tea, Hor Mok, boat noodles, Sai Ua and Khanom Krok. Together they cover street food, curries, soups, northern specialities and desserts.
Thai food ranges from simple street stalls to high-end restaurants. Thai cooking balances sour, sweet, salty and spicy flavours, often in the same dish. Here are 15 dishes worth seeking out on your trip, with notes on what each one tastes like.
Quick facts: Thai dishes at a glance
| Dish | Type | Spice level |
|---|---|---|
| Pad Thai | Stir-fried noodles | Mild |
| Tom Yum Goong | Hot and sour soup | Hot |
| Green curry | Coconut curry | Medium to hot |
| Som Tam | Papaya salad | Hot |
| Massaman curry | Rich curry | Mild |
| Mango sticky rice | Dessert | None |
| Khao Soi | Curry noodle soup | Medium |
| Thai iced tea | Drink | None |
15 foods every foodie must try in Thailand
1. Pad Thai
Pad Thai is rice noodles stir-fried with egg, tofu and a sauce of tamarind, fish sauce, garlic and shallots, then served with lime and crushed peanuts. Shrimp is a common addition. The dish dates to the mid-20th century, when the government of Prime Minister Plaek Phibunsongkhram promoted noodles, according to Wikipedia.
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Vegetarian versions replace fish sauce with soy sauce and leave out the shrimp, which makes it one of the easier dishes for Indian vegetarians to order.
2. Tom Yum Goong
Tom Yum Goong is a hot and sour prawn soup flavoured with lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves and chillies, finished with lime juice and fish sauce. It comes in a clear version and a creamier one made with evaporated milk. It is the version of tom yum most popular with tourists.
3. Green curry (Gaeng Keow Wan)
Thai green curry is made with green chilli paste, coconut milk, vegetables and meat, usually chicken. It is creamy but can be quite spicy, so ask for less chilli if you are not used to heat. Eat it with steamed jasmine rice.
4. Som Tam (green papaya salad)
Som Tam is shredded raw papaya pounded with tomatoes, long beans, peanuts, lime, fish sauce and chillies. It is crunchy, sour and very fresh. Ask for less chilli if you are new to it, as it can be very hot.
5. Massaman curry
Massaman curry shows Persian, Malay and Indian influence. The paste uses spices such as cardamom, cinnamon, cloves and cumin, cooked with coconut milk, potatoes and peanuts. CNN Travel ranked it first in its list of the world’s most delicious foods in 2011 and again in 2018.
Because of its Muslim roots, it is usually made with chicken, beef or mutton rather than pork. Its warm spices may feel familiar to Indian diners.
6. Mango sticky rice (Khao Niew Mamuang)
Ripe mango is served with sweet glutinous rice and a coconut sauce. It is simple, filling and a good way to cool down after a spicy meal.
7. Pad Kra Pao
Pad Kra Pao is minced meat, usually pork or chicken, stir-fried with Thai holy basil, garlic, chilli and fish sauce. It is served over rice with a crispy fried egg on top. It is quick, filling and full of flavour.
8. Khao Soi
Khao Soi is a curry noodle soup from northern Thailand, especially Chiang Mai. It combines boiled egg noodles in a coconut curry broth with crispy fried noodles on top, plus pickled mustard greens, shallots and lime on the side. It is usually made with chicken or beef.
9. Gai Yang (grilled chicken)
Gai Yang is chicken marinated with herbs and spices such as lemongrass and turmeric, then grilled. It is served with a tangy dipping sauce and is a simple, satisfying street food.
10. Tom Kha Gai
Tom Kha Gai is a coconut milk soup with chicken, mushrooms, galangal and lemongrass. It is milder and creamier than Tom Yum, which makes it a good choice for those who prefer less heat.
11. Thai iced tea (Cha Yen)
Cha Yen means “cold tea”. It is strongly brewed black tea sweetened with sugar and condensed milk, then topped with milk and poured over ice. Street vendors often serve it in a tall plastic cup or even a bag, and it pairs well with spicy food.
12. Hor Mok
Hor Mok is a fish custard made with red curry paste, coconut milk and herbs, steamed in a banana leaf cup. The texture is soft and the flavour is rich, a little like a savoury curry pudding.
13. Guay Tiew Reua (boat noodles)
Boat noodles are rice noodles in a savoury beef or pork broth. They get their name from being sold from boats on Thailand’s canals.
14. Sai Ua (northern Thai sausage)
Sai Ua is a grilled pork sausage from northern Thailand, packed with herbs, lemongrass and kaffir lime leaves. It is aromatic and often eaten as a snack or with sticky rice.
15. Khanom Krok
Khanom Krok are small coconut and rice flour pancakes cooked in a special pan. They are crisp outside and soft and custardy inside, and can be served sweet or savoury.
Tips for eating in Thailand
- Ask for less chilli if you are not used to Thai spice levels.
- Busy street stalls with many local customers are usually a good bet.
- Vegetarians should ask for dishes without fish sauce or shrimp paste.
- Try northern dishes such as Khao Soi and Sai Ua in Chiang Mai, where they are local.
Planning your trip? See our travel section and more food stories in lifestyle.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most famous food in Thailand?
Pad Thai and Tom Yum Goong are the best-known Thai dishes worldwide. Massaman curry has been ranked first in CNN Travel’s list of the world’s most delicious foods.
Is Thai food good for vegetarians?
Yes, with care. Many dishes use fish sauce or shrimp paste, but vegetarian Pad Thai, curries and Som Tam can be made without them if you ask.
Which Thai food is not spicy?
Pad Thai, Massaman curry, Tom Kha Gai and mango sticky rice are among the mildest options.
What is the national dish of Thailand?
Pad Thai is often described as Thailand’s national dish. It was promoted by the government in the mid-20th century as part of a national identity drive.
Sources: Wikipedia: Pad Thai, Wikipedia: Massaman curry, Wikipedia: Khao Soi, Tourism Authority of Thailand.
