Traveling is therapy, and so is food. The pleasure of exploring local food and experimenting with new dishes is beyond comparison. If you are planning to visit Thailand on your next vacation, get ready for culinary exploration. Thai dishes are famous worldwide. But Everywhere you look, you will see the Street Food in Thailand for tourists. The Thai dishes available on the streets are the yummiest.
Thai cuisine has a significant influence from the food culture of the neighboring countries. Thai food history is as intriguing as the dishes that they have to offer you. They learned the use of spice from the Indians. Some Thai dishes have originated from China. Some have a western influence on them. Thai cuisine has made its way to the world’s busiest cities. Almost every big city has restaurants with Thai cuisine on their menu.
The street food in Thailand has become very popular among travelers. From ready-to-eat meals to drinks to snacks, the streets of Thailand are always bustling with hawkers and vendors. All the famous Thai dishes are available on the road. Checking them out has become one of the popular activities for travelers.
10 Thai Dishes You Must Taste without Fail
Here are a few Thai dishes that you must try when you are visiting Thailand. Remember, the streets of Thailand have a lot to offer, the more you dive in, the more satisfying the experience will be.
1. Som Tam
One of the healthiest in the Thai food list, Som Tam, is a delicious Green Papaya Salad. The salad tastes sweet, sour, hot, and salty all at once, although the hotness quotient might seem a tad bit heavy for a non-Thai palate. Som Tam is one of the essential salads in Thai cuisine, especially in Laos and northeastern Thailand. Thai people often consume this salad as a casual light dinner or even during lunch or brunch.
2. Tom Yum Goong
If you are in love with shrimp, you cannot leave Thailand without tasting the yummiest Tom Yum Goong. It has become quite popular in recent times. Originating from the classic broth, Tom Yum Goong or a Thai Shrimp soup is one of the most popular Thai dishes. It has branched out to different varieties. However, lemongrass, galangal, chilies, kaffir lime leaves, are some necessary ingredients in addition to shrimps.
3. Pla Pao
If fish soothes your appetite, then Pla Pao will be your favorite among the Thai Dishes. Pla Pao or Thai Grilled Fish is a stuffed whole fish, grilled to serve you hot. The stuffing is generally done with kaffir lime leaves and lemongrass. The stuffed fish is then grilled over charcoal. Pla Pao tastes best when served with chili garlic sauce.
Authentic Thai Dishes to Try
4. Boat Noodles
Traditional Thai food recipes are not just delicious but are also very addictive. Thai boat noodles top the list when experiencing the explosion of flavors in a simple dish. There are two versions of Boat Noodles. The pork-based version is called Kuay Tewo Reua Moo and the beef-based version called Kuay Teow Reua Neua. With additional toppings of fried pork, the after taste of Boat Noodles will remain forever.
5. Pad Ka Prao
Walk down a random Thai street, and you will see a Pad Ka Prao corner filled with street food lovers. You can make your customized Pad Ka Prao with a meat of your choice stir-fried with an overpowering smell of holy basil. A dash of garlic and chilies is all we need to make Pad Ka Prao one of our top favorites in Thai cuisine.
Heritage Thai Dishes:
6. Goong Pad Sataw
The famous Thai dish, Goong Pad Sataw, is made with stink beans and shrimp. Almost all the rice and curry stalls will have Goong Pad Sataw on their menu. Stir-fried stink beans and shrimp with chili paste is a natural competitor in your top favorite Thai dishes.
7. Hor Mok
It is a type of fish curry custard popular among the locals. Hor Mok or Steamed Thai Fish custard is a tricky dish, and if gone wrong will not suit your taste buds. Hor Mok is cooked in banana leaves. Galangal and thick coconut cream are two critical ingredients of Hor Mok. You will get Hor Mok in almost all rice and curry stalls.
Famous Thai Dishes:
8. Boo Pad Pongari
Boo Pad Pongari or Thai Crab curry is one of the most unique Thai dishes available on the streets of Thailand. The yellow Thai curry is delicious and is one the lower side of the usage of spices. You can also taste the same dish with chicken and squid if you wish to avoid crabs. However, if you ask about personal recommendations, try them with crab.
9. Nam Prik Kapi
Nam Prik is Thai chili dipping sauce, and the best variety is Nam Prik Kapi. Of all Thai Chilli Sauces, Nam Prik Kapi has made its way to become the most popular chili dipping sauce. The shrimp paste added here adds the twist, making it stand out from all the other Thai chili sauces.
Thai Dishes and Sauces
10. Sai krok Issan
Sai Krok Issan or fermented sausages are made with pork and rice. It originates from Northeastern Thailand and is one of the popular snacks of the locals. It is served with sliced ginger and raw cabbages. Some also add chili to the serving plate. It is as delicious as it can be.
Thailand food culture is enriched with heritage and history. Not just that, Thailand offers one of the healthiest and tastiest street foods available all across the streets. Places like Yaowarat, Sam Pharend, Bang Lamphu, Nang Loend, Pratu Phi are famous for street food. Here is complete Thai cuisine information that can come handy when you visit the paradise land for foodies. Thai dishes are going to top your favorite dishes of all time if you are fond of chilies and spices. Thailand will give you an experience of high-end Michelin Star restaurants to old food carts, all in one.