Thai cuisine is what food dreams are made of. Thai people love to eat, and they take great pride in their food.
It’s no secret that some of the best food that you can find in Thailand is found in food markets, hawker stalls or from a simple cart on the side of the street.
My top tip to find the tastiest dishes to try is to find the cart/stall with the longest line of locals waiting patiently. Sometimes you can spot a popular place with a line up of taxi’s stopping for a quick lunch break.
I’ve visited Thailand many times, and it is easily one of my favourite destinations ever, I’m sure many would agree with me. Aside from the beautiful countryside, villages, beaches, friendly people and being super affordable, the food is what keeps me returning again and again.
If you are planning on visiting Thailand in the future (I highly recommend that you do), here are my favourite eleven Thai dishes, in no particular order that will surely make you smile.
Pad See Ew
This noodle dish is very popular, and available everywhere in Thailand. Wide rice noodles are used, combined with Chinese broccoli, pork/chicken (or even tofu), and egg. The dish is seasoned with a few different kinds of soy sauce. Add some chili flakes if you like some heat.
Spicy stir-fried pork with Chili & Thai holy basil (Pad Krapow Moo)
Locals often eat this meal at breakfast time. Fluffy steamed white rice is served topped with fresh stir-fried pork, deliciously seasoned and mixed with a heap of chili, garlic and holy basil.
The best bit is the deep fried egg with the crispy edges served on top. The fried egg goes fantastic with this dish as it takes some heat off the chili and seems to create the perfect balance of flavour in your mouth.
Thai Green Curry
One of the most known and popular Thai dishes is Thai green curry. A lovely blend of green curry paste, coconut milk, bamboo shoots, meat or shrimps, thai basil, thai eggplant and aromatics for flavour and fragrance. (galangal, lime leaves, lemongrass). Best served alongside a plate of fluffy jasmine rice, this dish never disappoints.
Som Tam (Papaya salad)
This dish is a staple of Thai cuisine and it tastes delicious on its own, or along side some steamed rice and grilled chicken skewers. Shaved papaya is tossed in a mortar and pestle with carrots, peanuts, tomatoes, string beans, palm sugar, fish sauce, and a whole lot of chilies. It is as delicious and amazing as it is fiery. If the vendor asks if you want it to be ‘thai spicy’, say no, unless you can handle a whole lotta heat!
Pad Thai (Fried Noodles)
A stir-fried noodle dish commonly served as a street food dish almost on every corner. It is made with flat rice noodles, stir-fried with an egg and chopped firm tofu (or meat), then flavored with tamarind pulp and fish sauce. Fresh bean sprouts and peanuts are best added for the perfect texture.
Larb
Minced meat seasoned with roasted rice powder, lime juice, fish sauce and fresh herbs. Best eaten alongside sticky rice. The freshness of the lime juice, roasted rice powder and fresh herbs is very unique.
Grilled Pork/Chicken Skewers
Quick, easy, delicious, cheap and you can find them everywhere. Grilled over a coal fire, which gives that smoky bbq taste, these are one of the best snacks when you’re on the go.
Mango Sticky Rice
This delicious dish combines sweet mangoes (the small ones), sticky rice and coconut cream syrup. It’s super sweet, but perfect after a light dinner.
Morning Glory
I love this dish so much. Morning glory is a vegetable dish made from water spinach. Using a hot wok, it is stir fried with garlic, oyster sauce, and chilies on a high heat so the vegetable stays fresh and crisp.
Waterfall Beef Salad
Grilled beef served over a salad mixed with Thai herbs, such as lemongrass, mint leaves, coriander and hot chilies. Enhanced with fish sauce, toasted rice powder and lime. Delicious.
Tom Yum (Spicy Shrimp Soup)
Tom yum is characterized by its distinct hot and sour flavor. This spicy clear soup is very addictive. The basic broth is made of stock, lemon grass, kaffir lime leaves, lime juice, fish sauce and crushed chili peppers. Add your meat of choice. Without a doubt the most popular is Tom Yum Kung (Shrimp). This soup is also very healthy, which is always a win.
Do you love Thai food? Does your favourite dish appear on this list? We’d love to hear what Thai dish you cannot live without.
Pad Thai