September 17, 2024
20 Must-Eat Thai Foods Suggested by Locals
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If you are a foodie like us or just someone who enjoys exploring different culinary experiences, then you are in for a treat. Thai cuisine is renowned for its bold flavors, fresh ingredients, and aromatic spices that create a symphony of taste sensations in every dish.
Here is a list of the best 20 Thai dishes that you absolutely must try. Enjoy!
1. Tom Yum Goong (spicy shrimp soup)
Tom Yum Goong is a classic Thai dish known for its robust, spicy, and sour flavors. Lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and galangal add an aromatic scent that counterbalances the sharpness of the lime juice and bird's eye chili peppers. The soup is delicious and refreshing. It is paired well with a bowl of steamed white rice.
2. Laab (Thai ground beef salad)
Laab is a traditional northeastern Thai dish. Minced meat (beef, chicken, or pork), lime juice, fish sauce, toasted rice powder, mint leaves, chili flakes, and red onions are the ingredients of laab. The dish has a distinct earthy taste from the toasted rice powder.
Laab is served with a lot of fresh vegetables, including cabbage, lettuce leaves, cucumbers, and long beans. It is best paired with sticky rice.
3. Isaan Sausage (fermented sausage)
Isaan sausage originates from the northeastern region. It is a popular street food known for its tangy and uniquely sour flavor. Pork, sticky rice, garlic, salt, and pepper are mixed together to make the sausage. The mixture then naturally ferments in the hot sun for a few days, allowing the sausage to develop its signature sourness.
4. Khao Kluk Kapi (shrimp paste fried rice)
Khao Kluk Kapi is a traditional Thai dish made from rice fried with shrimp paste (kapi). The dish is usually served with a number of different sides or toppings, such as green mango, shallot, cucumber, caramelized pork belly, sun-dried shrimp, bird's eye chili, and thin omelette strips.
5. Pad Ka Prao (holy basil stir-fry)
A popular Thai stir-fry dish made with minced or sliced meat (often chicken, pork, or beef) and holy basil (ka prao). Garlic, chilies, soy sauce, and oyster sauce enhance its savory, spicy, and aromatic taste.
The fried meat is usually served over rice and topped with a fried egg (kai dao). The combination of the spicy meat, fragrant basil, and rich yolk from the fried egg makes it a favorite comfort food in Thailand.
6. Kuay Tiew (Thai noodle soup)
Kuay Tiew, or Thai noodle, consists of a meat-based broth, noodles, and various toppings, such as sliced meat (pork, beef, or chicken), fish balls, and vegetables. You can also add condiments such as chili flakes, sugar, lime juice, and fish sauce to suit your taste.
7. Som Tum (green papaya salad)
Som Tum is a very popular dish in Thailand and can be found virtually anywhere. Green papaya, bird's eye chilies, garlic, fish sauce, lime juice, palm sugar, green beans, and peanuts make up its ingredients. You can enjoy Som Tum as a standalone dish or as part of a larger meal. It is a perfect dish for anyone looking to experience authentic Thai cuisine.
8. Panang Curry
Panang curry is a creamier, richer variation of Thai red curry. It is prepared using chili paste, ground peanuts, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, and other spices. All of the ingredients are cooked in coconut milk and seasoned with fish sauce and palm sugar.
Unlike other Thai curries, Panang curry is less spicy and has a more concentrated, creamy consistency. Because of this, Panang curry becomes a favorite choice among people who like to enjoy rich flavors without intense heat.
9. Pad Thai
Pad Thai is one of Thailand's most popular dishes, available across the country. Many people believe this stir-fry noodle to be the national dish of Thailand (however, if you ask Thai people what their go-to comfort meal is, they will invariably say "Pad Ka Prao").
An excellent Pad Thai should have a mix of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors. Pad Thai's unique sweet-savory taste is created by combining a tart tamarind-based sauce with fish sauce and palm sugar. Red chili peppers, lime wedges, roasted peanuts, bean sprouts, garlic chives, and a variety of other fresh veggies are also offered on the side as condiments.
10. Nam Tok (grilled steak salad)
Nam Tok is charcoal-grilled beef (or pork) that is thinly sliced and tossed in lime juice, fish sauce, roasted rice powder, mint leaves, and chili flakes. Thai food menus typically list Nam Tok in the salad section because of the huge serving of fresh vegetables on the side, but Nam Tok itself notably lacks any vegetables.
11. Tom Kha (galangal coconut soup)
Tom Kha is a classic Thai soup made with coconut milk, chili, galangal, lemongrass, and kaffir lime leaves. These ingredients give Tom Kha its distinctive balance of spiciness, tanginess, and subtle sweetness. Fish sauce adds a salty umami depth, while lime juice brings a fresh, citrusy tang that cuts through the richness of the coconut milk.
12. Gai Tod (Thai-style Fried Chicken)
Kai Tod, or Thai-style fried chicken, is a popular street food known for its flavorful, crispy skin and juicy meat. The chicken is marinated with garlic, coriander root, fish sauce, soy sauce, and white pepper. After marinating, it is coated in rice flour or all-purpose flour, sometimes with a little cornstarch, to create a light, crispy coating when fried. It is then deep-fried till golden brown, making it crispy on the outside yet soft and juicy on the inside.
13. Yum Talay (spicy seafood salad)
Yum Talay consists of a variety of seafood, including shrimp, squid, scallops, and mussels. The seafood is poached or briefly steamed to maintain its tenderness. Once cooked, it is mixed with a spicy lime dressing and a medley of fresh vegetables, such as tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, and carrots, adding crunch and color to the salad.
14. Khao Soi (Northern Thai curry noodle)
Khao Soi originates from the northern region of Thailand, particularly Chiang Mai. The curry base is made from a blend of red curry paste, turmeric, coconut milk, and a variety of spices, giving the soup its golden color and complex, savory taste. Fresh cilantro, lime wedges, red onions, and pickled mustard greens are commonly used as garnishes for the meal.
15. Thai Green Curry
Thai green curry is known for its balance of flavors: it’s slightly sweet, savory, and mildly spicy, though the heat can vary depending on the amount of chili used. Typically, green curry is made with chicken, but it can also feature other proteins such as beef, pork, or tofu. Vegetables like eggplant, bamboo shoots, and bell peppers are commonly included, adding texture and balance to the dish.
16. Moo Krob
Moo krob, also known as Thai crispy pork, is a beloved dish in Thai cuisine characterized by its crispy, flavorful pork belly. The name "moo krob" literally translates to "crispy pork.". It delivers a delightful contrast between the crunchy exterior and the tender, juicy meat inside.
It can be enjoyed with rice, stir-fried with vegetables, or even added to noodle dishes for an extra layer of flavor and texture.
17. Pad See Ew
Pad See Ew is a popular Thai stir-fried noodle dish known for its savory and slightly sweet flavor profile. The name "Pad See Ew" means "stir-fried soy sauce noodles," which reflects the dish's main ingredients and cooking method. It is made with wide, flat rice noodles, that are stir-fried with dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, and a touch of sugar. This gives the noodles their dark color and rich flavor.
18. Massaman Curry
Massaman Curry is known for its deep, mellow flavor that balances sweet, savory, and slightly tangy notes, which are often attained with the addition of tamarind paste and palm sugar. The dish often includes tender chunks of meat, usually beef, chicken, or lamb, slow-cooked until they absorb the flavorful curry sauce. Potatoes and peanuts are also commonly added, providing a satisfying contrast of textures.
19. Mango Sticky Rice
Thai Sticky Rice with Mango, or "Khao Niew Mamuang," pairs sweet, ripe mango slices with glutinous (sticky) rice. The rice is cooked to a soft, chewy consistency and then soaked in rich, creamy coconut milk. "Nam Dok Mai" mango is considered the best variety to go with the sticky rice because of its creamy, honey-like taste.
20. Khao Niew Dam
Khao Niew Dam, or black sticky rice dessert, is a traditional Thai treat that is typically served warm, sometimes garnished with toasted sesame seeds or coconut shavings for added texture and flavor. Other popular toppings include coconut cream, boiled taro, and jackfruit.
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