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13 Must-Try Thai Dishes: A Culinary Journey
When it comes to Thai cuisine, the options are endless, and the flavors are vibrant. From the spicy, tangy, and sweet to the savory, Thai food is a celebration of the senses.
In this article, we will take you on a gastronomic journey and introduce you to the best Thai Dishes. We will describe the ingredients that make these dishes unique and their origins, making your dining experience more enriching.
Are you ready to tantalize your taste buds? Let’s dive into it and find the best 13 Thai Dishes you have to try, while you explore that beautiful country.
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Must-Try Thai Dishes
Thailand is known for its street food, and the country is heaven for foodies who want to indulge in a culinary adventure. You will always find good food and don’t have to search long for it. In Bangkok, they even say that you are never more than 50 meters away from the nearest restaurant.
Thai food is known for its unique blend of flavors, including sweet, sour, salty, and spicy. The dishes are typically made with fresh herbs and spices like lemongrass, galangal, and kaffir lime leaves, which give them their distinct aroma and flavor. 60% of all Thai meals are eaten with a base of plain rice.
Thai cuisine places emphasis on lightly prepared dishes with strong aromatic components. Balance, detail, and variety are important to Thai cooking. Thai cuisine is known for being spicy and its balance of the four fundamental taste senses in each dish or the overall meal; sour, sweet, salty, and (optional) bitter, and it can be quite hot (spicy) also. But anyways: they are all so delicious, you have to try them by yourself!
1. Pad Thai
Pad Thai is one of the most popular Thai dishes globally, and it is easy to see why. It is a stir-fry dish made with rice noodles, shrimp or chicken, eggs, tofu, and bean sprouts. The dish is flavored with tamarind, fish sauce, and palm sugar. This dish is a staple street food in Thailand and you can get it everywhere.
Food stalls sell the vegetarian version starting from 40 Bht (around 1,10€) and there’s a famous restaurant in Bangkok bragging about being the inventor of Bangkok’s most famous dish, opening up shop nearly 50 years ago in the Old City: Tipsamai. We tried it and it really was a good one and most locals will tell you to do so too. So just give it a go when you are in Bangkok and make up your own mind!
2. Som Tam (Papaya Salad)
Som Tam is a spicy and sour papaya salad that originated from the Northeastern region of Thailand. It is made with shredded green papaya, garlic, chili peppers, fish sauce, and lime juice. The dish is then topped with peanuts and dried shrimp. Som Tam is a refreshing dish that pairs well with sticky rice. It’s one of Kathi’s favorite meals as it’s fresh and tasty, but be aware: it’s always spicy!
3. Khao Soi
Khao Soi is a Northern Thai dish that is a delicious blend of sweet, sour, and spicy flavors. It is a noodle soup made with egg noodles, coconut milk, and Massaman curry paste. The dish is topped with crispy noodles, cilantro, and shallots. Most of the time it comes with chicken wings in it, but you can try it in a vegetarian version too. Khao Soi is a must-try dish that will warm you up on a chilly day.
4. Gaeng Keow Wan Gai (Green Curry Chicken)
Green Curry Chicken is a classic Thai meal that is made with chicken, coconut milk, green curry paste, and vegetables like eggplant, bamboo shoots, or carrots. The green color comes from green chilis. The dish is typically served with rice and is known for its spicy and sweet flavors.
5. Pad Krapow Moo Saap (Basil and Pork Stir Fry)
Basil and Pork Stir Fry is a flavorful and aromatic dish made with ground pork, basil, chili peppers, and garlic. The dish is typically served with rice and is a favorite among locals for its simplicity and bold flavors.
Alternatively, there’s also often Basil & Chili Chicken Stir Fry which was one of Kevin’s favorites. But it often also is very spicy!
6. Tom Kha Gai (Coconut Chicken Soup)
Tom Kha Gai is a popular soup dish that is made with chicken, coconut milk, lemongrass, galangal, and kaffir lime leaves. The dish is known for its creamy texture and tangy flavors. Tom Kha Gai is best enjoyed with rice. The word „gai“ stands for chicken, but you can also find it with shrimp or tofu.
7. Kai Med Ma Muang (Chicken with Cashew Nuts)
Chicken with Cashew Nuts is a popular stir-fry dish that is made with chicken, cashew nuts, vegetables, and oyster sauce. This meal is typically served with rice and is known for its sweet and salty flavors.
8. Pad See Ew
Pad See Ew is a stir-fry dish made with wide rice noodles, egg, vegetables like broccoli and carrots, and dark soy sauce. Most times it comes with meat (usually beef or chicken). The dish is typically served with a sprinkle of chili flakes and is a favorite among locals.
9. Tom Yum Goong
Tom Yum Goong is a spicy and sour soup made with lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, galangal, chili peppers, and shrimp. This dish originated from Central Thailand and is now popular all over the country. It is typically served with rice and is a favorite among locals and tourists alike.
10. Massaman Curry
Massaman Curry is a rich and flavorful dish that originated from Southern Thailand. It is a mild curry made with potatoes, onions, and meat (usually beef). The dish is flavored with tamarind, cinnamon, cardamom, and star anise. Massaman Curry is best enjoyed with rice or bread.
11. Panang Curry
Smooth and bright red, this Panang Curry is a delight. What makes it so special? The thick texture and sweet and sour taste (thanks to a smidgen of peanuts) make it an exquisite delicacy. The curry is made with a paste of chili peppers, lemongrass, galangal, and other spices, which is then cooked with coconut milk, meat (usually chicken or beef), and vegetables such as kaffir lime leaves, Thai basil, and red bell pepper.
Panaeng Curry is a milder version of Thai curry, making it a popular choice for those who are new to Thai cuisine or are not a fan of overly spicy dishes. The dish is often served with steamed rice and is perfect for a hearty and flavorful meal. Because of its countless flavors, it was chosen best curry in the world and we would agree with that!
12. Moo Ping (Grilled Pork Skewers)
Moo (meaning pork in Thai) Ping is a popular street food in Thailand that is made with marinated pork skewers. The pork is grilled over charcoal and served with sticky rice. The dish is known for its sweet and savory flavors. You can also find Gai Ping which again stands for chicken.
13. Mango Sticky Rice
Mango Sticky Rice, also known as Khao Niaow Ma Muang, is the most popular dessert in Thailand. The dish is made with sticky rice, fresh ripe mango, and coconut milk. The rice is cooked with coconut milk, sugar, and salt until it becomes sticky and slightly sweet. The ripe mango is then sliced and placed on top of the rice, often served with warm sweetened condensed milk. Sometimes it is also garnished with sesame seeds or crispy mung beans for added texture.
Conclusion
Thailand’s cuisine is a true reflection of its culture and history. From street food stalls to high-end restaurants, the country offers a diverse range of dishes that cater to different tastes and preferences. Whether you’re a meat lover, a vegetarian, or a seafood enthusiast, Thai dishes include something for everyone. So, if you’re planning a trip to Thailand, make sure to try out these mouth-watering Thai Dishes and indulge in the bold flavors and fresh ingredients that make Thai cuisine so special.
If you want to learn more about Thai Dishes, we recommend doing a cooking class! That’s best to do in Northern Thailand, so check out our latest blog post about Chiang Mai! Alternatively, you might be interested in Thailand’s buzzing capital, so have a look at 15 sights you must not miss!
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