20 Must-Eat Thai Dishes You Should Try
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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 (ต้มยำกุ้ง) 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. For a satisfying meal, serve it over cooked white rice.
2. Laab (Thai ground beef salad)
Laab (ลาบ) is a traditional northeastern Thai dish. It is made with minced meat (beef, pork, or chicken), lime juice, fish sauce, toasted rice powder, mint leaves, chili flakes, and red onions. 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 (ไส้กรอกอีสาน) 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 (ข้าวคลุกกะปิ) is a traditional Thai dish made from rice mixed with shrimp paste (kapi/กะปิ). Usually featuring a variety of sides or toppings, the rice is served with green mango, lime wedge, shallot, cucumber, caramelized pork belly, fried Chinese sausage, sun-dried shrimp, bird's eye chili, and thin omelette strips.
5. Pad Ka Prao (holy basil stir-fry)
Pad Ka Prao (ผัดกะเพรา) is a popular Thai stir-fry dish made with minced or sliced meat (often chicken, pork, or beef) and holy basil (ka prao). Its flavor is enhanced with garlic, chilies, oyster sauce, soy sauce, and a hint of spice.
The fried meat is usually served over rice and topped with a fried egg (kai dao/ไข่ดาว). This delightful combination of the spicy meat, aromatic basil, and rich yolk from the fried egg makes it a favorite comfort food in Thailand.
6. Kuay Tiew (Thai noodle soup)
Thai people eat Kuay Tiew (ก๋วยเตี๋ยว), or Thai noodle soup, on a daily basis. Interestingly, unlike Pad Thai or Tom Yum Goong, it is less well-known outside the country—another reason why you should try it while visiting Thailand.
The main ingredients of Kuay Tiew are noodles, a meat-based broth, and a variety of toppings such as sliced meat (pork, beef, or chicken), fish balls, and vegetables (mung bean sprouts, morning glory). To flavor, you may also add condiments like sugar, lime juice, vinegar, fish sauce, and chili flakes.
7. Som Tum (green papaya salad)
In Thailand, Som Tum (ส้มตำ) is so popular that you can find it virtually anywhere. Crisp strips of green papaya are mixed with bird's eye chilies, garlic, dried shrimp, roasted peanuts, long beans, fish sauce, lime juice, and palm sugar. A delicious combination of spicy, salty, sour, sweet, crunchy, and refreshing flavors.
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 (แกงแพนง) is a creamier, richer take on classic 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. For those who love rich tastes without strong heat, Panang curry, no doubt, becomes a preferred alternative.
9. Pad Thai
Pad Thai (ผัดไทย) is one of Thailand's most popular dishes, and many consider this stir-fry noodle to be a national dish (however, if you ask Thai people what their go-to comfort meal is, they will invariably say "Pad Ka Prao").
The perfect Pad Thai has a balance of spicy, sweet, sour, and salty elements. Pad Thai's unique sweet-savory taste comes from a blend of fish sauce, palm sugar, and tamarind paste. To add more flavors and textures, condiments such as red chili peppers, lime wedges, roasted peanuts, bean sprouts, garlic chives, and a variety of other fresh vegetables are also provided on the side.
10. Nam Tok (grilled steak salad)
Nam Tok (น้ำตก) 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 (ต้มข่า) is a traditional Thai soup made with coconut milk, chili, galangal, lemongrass, and kaffir lime leaves. These ingredients give Tom Kha its signature blend of spiciness, tanginess, and subtle sweetness.
It strikes the ideal balance between the richness of coconut fat and the sour and salty flavors of the herbs, lime, and fish sauce. A must-try for everyone.
12. Gai Tod (Thai-style Fried Chicken)
Thai-style fried chicken, or Kai Tod (ไก่ทอด), is a beloved street food, famous for its flavorful, crispy skin and juicy meat. Garlic, coriander root, fish sauce, soy sauce, and white pepper are marinated with the chicken. Then, it is covered with rice flour or all-purpose flour—sometimes with a little cornstarch—to provide a light, crunchy skin when fried. For an extra crunch, crispy fried shallots are added on top.
13. Yum Talay (spicy seafood salad)
Yum Talay (ยำทะเล) literally means "seafood salad." Squid, prawns, oysters, and mussels are some of the most common seafood options for the dish. To keep the seafood delicate, it is poached or quickly steamed to preserve both natural flavors and textures. After cooking, it is tossed with a spicy lime dressing and fresh vegetables, including carrots, tomatoes, onions, and cucumbers, to give the salad some crunch and color.
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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