Thailand is a food-lovers paradise. With an incredibly diverse range of dishes, flavors, and ingredients, it can be difficult to narrow down the choices to just 10 dishes. But, we’ve done our best to come up with a list of the best dishes to eat in Thailand. So, here are the top 10 dishes you should try when you’re in Thailand:
10- Pad Thai
Photo Credit: Eggs
Pad Thai is an iconic Thai dish that is beloved around the world. It is a stir-fried noodle dish made with rice noodles, eggs, bean sprouts, tofu, peanuts, and a sweet and tangy sauce. The combination of textures, flavors, and colors make this a truly scrumptious dish. The noodles are cooked to perfection with the perfect chewiness. The eggs are cooked lightly with a soft texture. The bean sprouts and tofu add crunch and substance to the dish. The peanuts provide a nutty flavor and crunch. The sweet and tangy sauce ties all the flavors together and adds a nice kick. Pad Thai is a must-try when visiting Thailand. Enjoy the amazing combination of flavors and textures that make up this delicious dish!
9- Tom Yum Goong
Photo Credit: Meatmen Channel
Tom Yum Goong is an iconic Thai food. It consists of a spicy and sour soup with shrimp. The broth is made with lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, and chilli. The soup is usually served with mushrooms and tomatoes. The balance of the sour and spicy flavours is what makes it unique. It’s a great appetizer to start a meal. Its rich aroma will tantalize your taste buds. One should definitely try this traditional dish when in Thailand. It’s a culinary experience not to be missed. The soup is also rich in vitamins and minerals, making it a healthy choice. It’s a great way to enjoy a meal and get energized. Its unique flavour will leave you wanting more. A visit to Thailand wouldn’t be complete without sampling this popular dish. Tom Yum Goong is a must-try for all food lovers.
8- Khao Pad
Khao pad, or fried rice, is one of Thailand’s most beloved dishes. It’s simple to make yet packed with flavor, and it’s easy to customize to your own tastes. The main ingredients are jasmine rice, eggs, garlic, and onions, but you can add meat, seafood, or vegetables to make it even more delicious. The rice is fried in a wok with oil, and then the other ingredients are added and cooked until everything is hot and fragrant. Khao pad is often served with a wedge of lime and chili flakes, making it a perfect dish to enjoy while exploring the sights and tastes of Thailand.
7- Gai Satay
Photo Credit: Auntie Dee’s Kitchen
Gai Satay is a traditional Thai dish consisting of skewers of marinated and grilled chicken. The marinade is made with a blend of Thai spices, turmeric and coconut milk to give it a unique flavour and aroma. The chicken is then cooked over charcoal until it is golden brown and charred on the outside. The result is a delicious combination of juicy, tender and flavourful chicken that pairs perfectly with the accompanying peanut sauce. Gai Satay is a great dish to enjoy as a starter or as part of a larger meal. It’s sure to bring a taste of Thailand to any dinner table.
6- Som Tam
Thailand offers a variety of delicious dishes, and one of the most popular is Som Tam. This dish consists of shredded green papaya, dried shrimp, peanuts, chili peppers, garlic, tomatoes, lime juice, fish sauce, and sugar. It’s a refreshing and spicy salad that is perfect for hot weather. The papaya is pounded in a mortar and pestle to release its flavor and sweetness. The other ingredients are added, and the mixture is tossed together. The peanuts add a nutty crunch and the chili peppers add heat. The lime juice and fish sauce give the salad a salty, tangy flavor. This delicious dish is perfect to enjoy on a hot day. It’s a great way to cool off and get a burst of flavor.
5- Gaeng Keow Wan Gai
Photo Credit: 123rf
Gaeng Keow Wan Gai is a fragrant green curry with chicken, this dish is a must-try when visiting Thailand. The curry is made with a mix of herbs, spices, and coconut milk. The chicken is cooked in the curry until it is tender and juicy. Along with the chicken, vegetables such as eggplant, bell peppers, and bamboo shoots are added to the dish to give it an extra boost of flavor. To top it off, Thai basil, lime, and chili peppers are used for extra spice. The result is a flavorful and comforting dish that is sure to please. Gaeng Keow Wan Gai is an ideal dish for those who love bold and spicy flavors.
4- Khao Soi
Photo Credit: Tripzilla
Khao Soi is a classic Thai dish that is beloved by many. It is a rich, creamy coconut-curry noodle soup that is topped with crispy egg noodles. It is usually made with chicken, beef, or pork, and is often served with pickled cabbage, shallots, and lime. The soup itself is a complex blend of flavors, including lemongrass, turmeric, galangal, chili, cumin, and fish sauce. The combination of these ingredients gives the soup a unique flavor that is both savory and slightly sweet. The crispy egg noodles add texture and crunch to the dish. Khao Soi is a great example of how Thai cuisine can bring together different flavors and textures into one delicious meal.
3- Pad Krapow
Photo Credit: Yummly
Pad Krapow is a classic Thai dish, loved by locals and tourists alike. It is a stir-fry of minced pork, garlic, chilies and holy basil, served over rice. Aromatic and flavorful, this dish is sure to tantalize the taste buds. To make the perfect Pad Krapow, start by heating the oil in a wok or frying pan. Add the minced pork and stir-fry until cooked through. Add garlic, chilies, and holy basil, and stir-fry until fragrant. Finally, add the seasonings and mix everything together. Serve over hot steamed jasmine rice and enjoy! Pad Krapow is a quick and easy dish to make, and is sure to become a favorite in your home.
2- Gaeng Daeng
Photo Credit: Whimsey and Spice
Thailand’s Gaeng Daeng is a classic red curry dish that is savory and spicy. It’s one of the best dishes to eat in the country, made with red curry paste, coconut milk, and various vegetables. The aromatic dish is a great way to start a meal. It’s made with a variety of fresh ingredients, such as chili peppers, garlic, lemongrass, and shallots. The paste is simmered in the coconut milk and then vegetables are added. The vegetables can be anything from eggplant and bamboo shoots to baby corn and mushrooms. The dish is topped with fresh herbs, such as Thai basil and kaffir lime leaves. Gaeng Daeng is usually served with steamed rice and a side of fresh vegetables. It’s a delicious and flavorful dish that will leave you wanting more!
1- Mango Sticky Rice
Photo Credit: Thai PBS World
Thailand is renowned for its delicious cuisine, and mango sticky rice is one of its most popular dishes. It’s easy to make and incredibly tasty. The dish features sweet mango slices served over a bed of sticky rice. Coconut milk is poured over the rice, giving it a creamy, indulgent flavor. The rice is then sprinkled with sesame seeds, adding a nutty crunch. To finish, a drizzle of sweet syrup tops it all off. Mango sticky rice is a delicious balance of flavors and textures. It’s best served cold or at room temperature, making it a great snack or dessert. A trip to Thailand isn’t complete without trying this classic dish!
