Starving from an early morning flight from Manila to Bangkok, my two travel buddies and I were looking forward to having our first meal in Thailand.
It was a little past 2 in the afternoon when we arrived at our hotel—a heritage building located in the heart of Chinatown, one of the busiest districts in the Thai capital. As the receptionist made the arrangements for our four-night stay, we decided to sit down at the hotel restaurant for a late lunch—our order: Pad Thai with shrimp and Thai milk tea.
We were not expecting much in terms of taste. Hotel food is more of a hit-or-miss based on our experience after all. But after one bite of the pad Thai, we just knew we were off to a good start on our gastronomic adventure.
Here, I’ll list down 20 dishes that you should definitely try on your trip to the foodie paradise that is Thailand:
Pad Thai (ผัดไทย)
Let’s start with Thailand’s most iconic contribution to the world’s table: Pad Thai. This stir-fried noodle dish is made with rice noodles, tofu, scrambled eggs, bean sprouts, and meat—usually in the form of chicken or shrimp (or both!). It is seasoned with Thailand’s well-loved tamarind paste, fish sauce, and chili powder, giving it the perfect balance of sweet, sour, salty, and mildly spicy flavors. Pad Thai is served with lime wedges and peanuts for that tangy kick and extra crunch.
Tom Yum Goong (ต้มยำกุ้ง)
Another world-famous Thai dish, tom yum goong is an aromatic soup infused with flavors that Thai cuisine is best known for: Spicy and sour. Its main ingredients include tomatoes, lemongrass, lime juice, kaffir lime leaves, galangal—among many others. Shrimps and mushrooms are also added in for their chewy texture and savory flavors.
Som Tum (ส้มตำ)
Som tum is a refreshing side dish that is widely known as Thai papaya salad. It’s fairly easy to make, but of course, it is best enjoyed during your Thailand trip! It consists of shredded unripe papaya, carrots, dried shrimp, long beans, tomatoes, and other vegetables (each restaurant and household has its own recipe!). Meanwhile, the dressing is made using lime juice, fish sauce, palm sugar, and chili.
Massaman Curry (แกงมัสมั่น)
Some Thai dishes are influenced by other cultures, and massaman curry is a good example of that. This rich and hearty dish has Persian roots, and has been modified to suit the Thai palate over the years. Made with coconut milk, potatoes, onions, peanuts, and beef or chicken, it is slow-cooked until the meat is tender. If you are a fan of bold aromatic herbs and spices, this curry has a lot of it, such as cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves, making it stand out among other Thai curries.
Pad Kra Pao (ผัดกระเพรา)
Also called “Thai holy basil stir fry,” pad kra pao is a street food dish that is widely popular in Thailand. It is made with minced meat (usually pork or chicken) stir-fried with Thai holy basil, garlic, chilies, and soy sauce. Pad kra pao is typically served with steamed jasmine rice on the side and topped with a fried egg.
Khao Pad (ข้าวผัด)
Thai fried rice is another hit among locals and tourists alike. Locally known as khao pad, this dish combines cooked jasmine rice, eggs, onions, garlic, and a choice of protein like chicken, shrimp, or crab. For a burst of flavors, it is seasoned with fish sauce, soy sauce, and a hint of lime juice. Cucumbers or sliced lime wedges are served alongside khao pad. It can be enjoyed on its own or with another Thai dish.
Tom Kha Gai (ต้มข่าไก่)
A dish that’s milder than tom yum, but still has all the flavors that everybody loves in Thai cuisine, the rich, creamy, and lightly sweet coconut soup tom kha gai contains a variety of herbs, spices, and veggies like lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, and mushrooms. For protein, it usually makes use of chicken. It is considered one of Thailand’s most popular comfort dishes.
Green Curry (แกงเขียวหวาน)
If there is a Thai curry that is so easy to identify, it would be this. Green curry is among the country’s most famous curry dishes, thanks to its bright leafy green color and fiery heat. Its star ingredient is, of course, green curry paste derived from green chilies, mixed with coconut milk, Thai basil, and meat or tofu. Green curry is best paired with steamed plain jasmine rice.
Laab (ลาบ)
Now, here’s a dish that doesn’t usually turn up in Thai food searches: Laab. This dish is a traditional Thai salad that originates from the northeastern region of Thailand known as Isan. Laab is made with minced pork, chicken, or beef that is cooked with fresh herbs, roasted rice powder, fish sauce, and lime juice. It is often served garnished with Thai basil, onions, chilies, and slices of cucumber.
Panang Curry (พะแนง)
When compared to other Thai curries, panang curry is softer and slightly sweeter. Meat—typically chicken or beef—are cooked in coconut milk and Panang curry paste until tender. With a little sweetness from the coconut milk and a dash of fire from the chilies, the dish is thick and creamy. Steamed rice is typically served alongside panang curry, which is topped with kaffir lime leaves.
Pad See Ew (ผัดซีอิ๊ว)
Wide rice noodles are stir-fried with soy sauce, Chinese broccoli, eggs, and a choice of protein—like chicken or pork—to make the well-known Thai noodle dish pad see ew. The wok’s little charring of the noodles gives them a smoky flavor that compliments the flavorful, salty sauce.
Gaeng Daeng (แกงแดง)
Thai red curry—locally known as gaeng daeng—is a fragrant and savory dish that is cooked with coconut milk, red curry paste, and—just like many other Thai dishes—some meat, which is typically in the form of shrimp, pork, or chicken. The red chilies give the curry a strong, spicy flavor adding a layer of heat over its thick and creamy sauce. Curry fans are sure to fall in love with gaeng daeng.
Kai Jeow (ไข่เจียว)
Thai-style omelets called kai jeow are as delightful to look at as they taste! These curiously puffy omelets are typically eaten with rice and topped with a spicy sauce. Despite its soft appearance, kai jeow, which is made with eggs, fish sauce, and soy sauce, has a nice crispy outside. Quick and simple to make, it is frequently prepared and enjoyed as a light dinner or snack.
Khao Soi (ข้าวซอย)
Is Chiang Mai part of your Thailand itinerary? If your answer is yes, then this is a dish you must certainly try: Khao soi. This northern Thai specialty features chewy egg noodles in a creamy coconut curry broth with bits of chicken or beef. To amplify the dish’s texture, it is served with crispy fried noodles, shallots, pickled mustard greens, and lime wedges as garnish.
Moo Ping (หมูปิ้ง)
For a quick snack (or meal!) that’s delightfully smoky and savory, have a go at moo ping. These grilled pork skewers are a popular Thai street food find that is both delicious and addictive. The pork is marinated in a mixture of soy sauce, fish sauce, garlic, and sugar, then grilled to perfection over charcoal. The result is juicy, flavorful pork that is slightly sweet and smoky. Moo Ping is often served with sticky rice and a spicy dipping sauce.
Yam Pla Dook Foo (ยำปลาดุกฟู)
Yam pla dook foo is one of Thailand’s most distinct dishes. This salad’s star ingredient is catfish that is fried until crispy and then tossed with a mix of green mango, onions, chilies, and a tangy lime dressing. The combination of the crispy catfish with the fresh and slightly sour salad produces a delightful contrast in flavors and textures.
Hor Mok (ห่อหมก)
Hor mok is a traditional Thai dish that is presented in a rather interesting way: It is served in little cups made with banana leaves! The dish itself is a steamed fish custard made by mixing fish with red curry paste, coconut milk, and egg. It is usually garnished with kaffir lime leaves and served with steamed rice.
Gaeng Som (แกงส้ม)
Popular in the southern part of the country, gaeng som is a sour Thai curry. It is prepared with fish, green beans, carrots, and cabbage along with a broth made from tamarind. The curry has a distinct tangy flavor from the tamarind and is both spicy and sour. If you are a fan of sour flavors, this is definitely something you should try!
Laeng Saeb (ขนมจีน)
Visit a night market in Thailand and you are sure to find a tower of pork bones with chilies. That’s unmistakably laeng saeb—a spicy pork bone soup with deliciously tender pork meat that falls off the bone! Not only is it a scene stealer, it also wins the tastebuds of travelers from around the world.
Mango Sticky Rice (ข้าวเหนียวมะม่วง)
Care for some dessert? You just can’t leave Thailand without having mango sticky rice. This well-loved delicacy is exactly what its name suggests: Sticky white rice cooked in coconut milk, served with mango on the side. It also comes with a thick coconut sauce you can drizzle on top for added sweetness—yum!
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***Featured image by the author
