30 Best Dishes to Try in Thailand For A Flavourful Treat

A common dish in Thai cuisine is pad Thai, a stir-fried rice noodle dish. The history of Pad Thai in Thailand dates back to the 1930s when factors like nationalism and a shortage of rice contributed to its popularity. Currently, it’s one of the must-try dishes in Thailand while touring any part of the country. Rice noodles, eggs, tofu, peanuts, bean sprouts, and a sauce made of fish sauce, soy sauce, sugar, and vinegar are the main ingredients. Sometimes the dish also includes vegetables like onions and carrots. Typically, a lime wedge and crushed peanuts are placed on top of the pad Thai dish. It is a flavorful and filling dish that is loved by both locals and visitors. Pad Thai is a well-known and enduring Thai dish thanks to its flavorful blend of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy ingredients, as well as the crunchy texture of the peanuts and bean sprouts. Beyond culinary delights, best things to do in Thailand can explore the vibrant markets and cultural landmarks of Bangkok, visit the ancient city of Ayutthaya with its historical ruins, experience the unique culture of the hill tribes in Chiang Rai, relax on the stunning beaches of Phuket, and indulge in the diverse street food offerings found throughout the country. Thailand offers a rich tapestry of activities and attractions, ensuring a memorable experience for every traveler.

A mixture of green chilli peppers, herbs, and spices is simmered in a sauce made of coconut milk to create green curry, a common dish in Thai cuisine. Typically, it's made with chicken, beef, or seafood as well as vegetables like bell peppers, eggplant, and bamboo shoots. With a harmony of spicy, sweet, and sour flavours, the dish is renowned for its robust and flavorful taste. The coconut milk and spices add creaminess and depth of flavour, while the green chilli peppers give the curry its distinctive green colour and a mild to moderate level of heat. One of the staple Thailand dishes, green curry, is typically served with steamed rice. Due to its global ubiquity, Pad Thai has become a well-known and adored Thai dish in many nations. Its popularity extends beyond Thailand's borders, making it a beloved and accessible culinary delight enjoyed by people worldwide. Whether savoring it in the bustling streets of Bangkok or at a local Thai restaurant abroad, Pad Thai remains a flavorful ambassador of Thai cuisine.

A popular Thai soup made with a combination of sour and spicy flavours is called tom yum soup. The soup's base is a paste called Nam Prik Pao, to which water, herbs, and meat are later added. The best way to grill the ingredients for Nam Prik Pao is over a charcoal fire. The dish is made with roasted garlic, shallots, and chillies. Usually, a clear broth made of lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and galangal is used to prepare it. Seasonings such as fish sauce, lime juice, and chilli peppers are frequently added to the soup, as are mushrooms, fish, shrimp, or chicken. However, depending on the meat varieties and the soup’s base, there are several other varieties of Tom Yum Soup, which is one of the most popular spicy dishes in Thailand. Tom Yum Soup is a unique and well-known dish in Thai cuisine due to its blend of sour and spicy flavours. The clear broth and flavorful ingredients of the soup make it a refreshing and delectable choice for those looking to experience the flavors of Thai cuisine. Tom Yum soup, with its aromatic blend of lemongrass, lime leaves, chili, and shrimp or chicken, offers a perfect balance of tangy and spicy notes. Whether enjoyed in a bustling street market in Bangkok or at a Thai restaurant abroad, Tom Yum remains a popular and invigorating dish that captures the essence of Thailand's vibrant culinary heritage.

The well-known Thai dish known as "massaman curry" is prepared with a mild and sweet curry sauce. The origins of masaman curry are well known, and it is regarded as a fusion dish that combines Persian, Indian, and some Malay Archipelago cooking styles. Beef or chicken, as well as a variety of vegetables like potatoes, onions, and peanuts, are frequently used as ingredients. The dish's flavour comes from a combination of spices, including cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, cumin, and coriander, as well as tamarind, which gives the food a slightly sour taste. The sauce has a creamy texture and is thickened with coconut milk. Massaman curry, which is frequently regarded as milder than other Thai curries, is a great substitute for those who prefer less spicy food. The dish is popular among many people all over the world because it is rich and flavorful. Due to its popularity, you can easily rate this dish as one of the best dishes of Thailand. Additionally, you can find this dish in any of the many Thai cooking classes that are offered across the nation. Beyond the culinary delights, some of the best places to visit in Thailand include the historic temples of Ayutthaya, the bustling street life of Bangkok's Chinatown, and the stunning natural beauty of Krabi's Railay Beach. 

Som Tum, a well-known Thai dish, is made with green papaya shreds. To achieve a harmonious balance of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavours, papaya is combined with other ingredients like garlic, chillies, tomatoes, lime juice, and fish sauce. Due to its fresh and crisp texture, the salad is frequently served as an appetizer or side dish and is a favourite among people seeking a quick and healthy lunch. Som tum is frequently prepared in Thailand using a conventional mortar and pestle to blend and crush the ingredients, giving the meal a distinctive flavour and texture. Som Tum is a famous dish of Thailand that is loved by many people all over the world thanks to its blend of strong tastes and nutritious ingredients. The dish, also known as green papaya salad, combines the bold flavors of lime, chili, fish sauce, and peanuts with the crispness of shredded green papaya. Whether enjoyed at a street-side vendor in Bangkok or at a Thai restaurant abroad, Som Tum remains a delightful and refreshing representation of Thai culinary expertise.

The rich, creamy broth made from coconut milk distinguishes the well-liked Thai soup Tom Kha Gai or Thai Coconut Soup. Chicken or seafood is simmered in coconut milk with lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, chillies, and other spices to create the soup. As a result, a satisfying and warming soup that is comforting, flavorful, and aromatic is produced. For those who prefer less spicy food, Tom Kha Gai is a great alternative to other Thai soups because it is thought to be milder. The soup, which is a mainstay of Thai cooking, is typically served with steamed rice. Tom Kha Gai is one of the best Thai dishes in Thailand and is enjoyed by many people all over the world due to its distinctive combination of flavors and ingredients. Best time to visit thailand with family, the best time is generally during the cool and dry season, which spans from November to February. This period offers pleasant weather, making it ideal for exploring family-friendly attractions, such as the bustling markets of Bangkok, the cultural sites in Chiang Mai, and the beautiful beaches across the country.

The popular Thai dish Pad Kra Pao also referred to as basil stir-fry, is renowned for being quick and simple to prepare. The dish is prepared by wok-stir-frying chopped garlic, chillies, basil leaves, and chicken, beef, or tofu. The dish, which is famous for its strong flavour, is typically served with steamed rice and a fried egg on top. It is widely available from street vendors and casual dining establishments all over Thailand and is regarded as a staple of Thai street food. For those looking for a quick and filling meal, Pad Kra Pao is a well-liked option thanks to its straightforward yet delectable flavour combination. The dish is a versatile and enticing component of Thai cuisine because it is easily adaptable to individual tastes and frequently prepared with different vegetables or protein options. Just like Pad Thai, Pad Kra Pao’s popularity grew in the 1930s as a part of the nationalism wave, and it’s currently one of the best Thai dishes to try in Thailand. This flavorful stir-fry, often made with minced meat, basil, chili, and garlic, showcases the bold and aromatic elements characteristic of Thai cuisine. Whether experienced in the bustling markets of Bangkok or at a local eatery, Pad Kra Pao is a culinary delight that reflects the rich tapestry of Thai flavors, while exploration, with the cool, dry season from November to February offering pleasant weather and vibrant festivals, enhancing your overall experience.

One of Thailand's traditional dishes, mango sticky rice, is made by combining glutinous rice, coconut milk, and sugar to create a sweet, creamy base that is then topped with ripe mango slices. The rice is often prepared until it is mushy and sticky, after which the mango is placed on top and the meal is served. A second drizzle of sweetened coconut milk is frequently added over mango sticky rice, along with toasted sesame seeds as a garnish. This delectable delicacy is a common treatment for individuals with a sweet craving and is often offered at Thai hotels, street food stands, and even local stores. For anybody visiting Thailand, mango sticky rice is a delectable and pleasant way to conclude a meal. This recipe will leave you feeling full and content, whether you eat it as a dessert or to escape the heat.

In Khao Pad, also referred to as "fried rice," cooked jasmine rice is stir-fried with a variety of ingredients, including eggs, vegetables, and meat. In Thai, the words Khao and pad both mean "rice" and "of or relating to being stir-fried," and it’s among the popular Thai dishes to try while touring Central Thailand. To give the dish a savoury flavour and aroma, it is seasoned with soy sauce, oyster sauce, and other seasonings. Khao Pad is available in a wide range of variations, including fried rice that is vegetarian, chicken, beef, shrimp, or seafood. In some variations, hot chilli peppers or herbs like cilantro, basil, and kaffir lime leaves are also added. Usually, Khao Pad is offered as a main course or as a side dish to go with other Thai dishes. Khao pad is a great option for those looking for a quick and flavorful meal that is also filling. This dish differs from Chinese fried rice in that Thai jasmine rice is used in its preparation rather than ordinary long-grain rice.

Wide, flat rice noodles and a savoury sauce made of soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sugar are the main ingredients in the well-known Thai stir-fried noodle dish known as Pad See Ew. A protein source like chicken, beef, or tofu is stir-fried with noodles along with vegetables like broccoli, bok choy, and carrots. To give the noodles a slightly charred and crispy texture that contrasts well with the tender vegetables and soft protein, the dish is typically prepared in a sizable wok over high heat. The traditional toppings for Pad See Ew are sliced chilli peppers, fresh herbs like cilantro and basil, and a wedge of lime on the side. Because the noodles are wider, Pad See Ew has a richer, darker flavour and a chewier texture. Thai restaurants and food carts frequently sell Pad See Ew, a dish that is a mainstay of Thai cooking. It is a popular option for those seeking a filling, savoury, and delicious meal. With its combination of flavours and textures, Pad See Ew is one of Thailand’s signature dishes that is sure to satisfy any craving for Thai food. Discover how to reach Thailand by exploring international flight options that land at major airports like Suvarnabhumi in Bangkok, offering convenient access to begin your adventure in this captivating destination.

A clear broth, vegetables, and soft tofu serve as the foundation of the vegetarian Thai soup Gang Jued. The broth typically includes ingredients like mushrooms, carrots, and bok choy and is flavoured with garlic, ginger, lemongrass, and other aromatic spices. Due to its low fat and calorie content and high vitamin and nutrient content from the vegetables, Gang Jued is frequently enjoyed as a light and healthy meal. Because the clear broth is thought to soothe the digestive system and strengthen the immune system, it is also regarded as a restorative dish. It’s one of the few dishes in Thailand that is less spicy and is among the most famous dishes in Thailand.

Wide rice noodles, vegetables, and a protein like chicken, beef, or shrimp are the main ingredients in the well-known Thai stir-fry dish Pad Kee Mao also referred to as "drunken noodles." It is thought that the popularity of the dish in Central Thailand is due to the influence of Chinese labourers who live nearby. The dish is typically finished with a garnish of fresh basil leaves after the noodles are stir-fried in a hot sauce made from chilli pepper, garlic, and other seasonings. The dish is thought to have started as a quick and filling late-night snack for Thai workers who needed a meal after a night of drinking. Given that the spicy and flavorful dish was believed to help settle the stomach and counteract the effects of alcohol, the name "drunken noodles" reflects this origin. The dish is known for its bold and spicy flavour, and it is one of the most popular spicy dishes in Thailand.

Egg noodles are used in the popular Northern Thai dish known as Khao Soi, which is then topped with a variety of deep-fried, crispy noodles, fresh herbs, and chilli paste. The broth is made with a rich and creamy coconut curry. The curry in the Lao Khao Soi variation is made with a combination of spices, including turmeric, cumin, coriander, and chilli, and is typically served with chicken, beef, or pork. The traditional Khao Soi way, which Chinese Muslims are thought to have discovered, disregards pork. Lao Khao Soi is distinguished in another area by its hand-cut noodles. The dish is still very well-liked in that area today and is thought to have originated in northern Thailand, close to the borders with Laos and Myanmar. It is now one of the most famous dishes in Thailand, but it has also grown in popularity in the rest of Thailand and beyond. Khao Soi is worth a try, whether you're a fan of Thai food or just looking for a new and delicious dish to try. Plan your Thai adventure with ease by obtaining Thailand visa for Indians, facilitating a hassle-free entry to explore the country's rich cultural heritage and scenic beauty.

Kao Tom, a traditional Thai dish made with sticky rice and seasoned with herbs and spices like ginger, garlic, and cilantro, is frequently served with shrimp or chicken. In Thailand, it is a staple dish that is frequently consumed for breakfast or as a quick snack. Kao Tom can be given either a dry or soupy serving, depending on the customer's preference. This dish is a favourite among fans of Thai cuisine because of its savoury and aromatic flavours. Given that Thailand's high season typically lasts from November to March, which is a relatively cool time of year, Kao Tom can be a wonderful breakfast option that provides warmth. Overall, Kao Tom as a breakfast option is one of the best dishes in Thailand and shouldn’t be missed.

Southeast Asia enjoys durian as a delicacy, and during the crop's peak season, several durian-based recipes gain popularity. One of the must-try dishes in Thailand when visiting is chicken and durian curry. The savoury taste of the chicken and the sweet and creamy flavours of the durian fruit is what makes this dish unique. Before adding the durian, the traditional Thai curry base, which is composed of coconut milk, lemongrass, red chilli, and various spices, is first puréed. The chicken is then included and cooked through following that. This dish is frequently served with steamed rice or roti, making for a filling meal. It must be tried by anyone who likes Thai food and is looking for something new and different to try. Because the durian flavour and the spices perfectly balance sweet and savoury flavours, this dish is both distinctive and delicious.

Thailand's northeastern region is home to the dish larb, also referred to as larb or laab, which is very popular there. This dish is well-liked in Thailand's Isan region because of its Laotian origins, and it’s among the top Thailand dishes to try while visiting the east. It is made with minced meat, usually chicken or duck, that has been spiced and seasoned with chilli, lime juice, fish sauce, and other ingredients. Herbs like mint and cilantro are then added to the mixture and occasionally toasted rice powder is as well. The outcome is a flavorful, spicy dish that is frequently served with sticky rice. It can be found as a side dish or an appetizer in addition to being frequently served as a main course. This dish is a crowd-pleaser thanks to the harmony of sour, spicy, and salty flavours, and home cooks love it for its straightforward ingredients and simple preparation.Discover how to go thailand from india by exploring international flight options that land at major airports like Suvarnabhumi in Bangkok, offering convenient access to begin your adventure in this captivating destination.

Mango Chicken also referred to as Gai Pad Med Mamuang, is a Thai stir-fry dish made with chicken, mango, and a sweet and sour sauce. Usually, tender, juicy chicken is served with the dish, along with fresh, juicy mangoes that have been caramelized with sugar. To add depth of flavour and counteract the sweetness of the mango, spices and herbs like garlic, cilantro, and chilli are added. This dish, which is eaten as a main course or as a component of a larger Thai meal, is the ideal illustration of how Thai cuisine manages to balance sweet, salty, and spicy flavours and it’s one of the must-try dishes to try in Thailand.

Thai cuisine includes a red curry dish called Gaeng Daeng. Gaeng Daeng is prepared by simmering together red curry paste, coconut milk, meat (typically chicken, beef, or pork), and vegetables. The colour of the dish is provided by the red chillies that were crushed in a mortar and pestle and added to the curry paste. The Thai markets these days have red curry readily available. Both it's flavorful and spiciness, as well as its rich and creamy texture, make Gaeng Daeng famous. It is one of the traditional Thailand dishes and is frequently served with rice. By changing the amount of spice or sweetness, you can also make it according to your preferences.

In the well-known Thai dish Kai Yad Sai, chicken mince is wrapped in a thin egg crepe and served with a sweet chilli sauce. It is a kind of egg roll prepared in the Thai style and is frequently consumed as a snack or alongside food. This dish is renowned for its distinctive blending of sweet and savoury flavours as well as its crispy texture. Kai Yad Sai is one of Thailand’s signature dishes that are widely available in Thai street food markets and restaurants and is loved by locals and tourists alike for its delicious taste and convenient size.

A popular Thai street food called Khao Mao Tod is made up of crispy fried rice cakes that are topped with a variety of dipping sauces. Usually, glutinous rice flour, coconut milk, and sugar are combined and then shaped into small cakes to make rice cakes. Then they are deep-fried until the outsides are crispy and golden brown. Usually, sweet chilli sauce or a hot, sour, and sour sauce made of fish sauce, vinegar, and sugar serve as the dipping sauces. Chopped fresh chilli, chopped peanuts, and fresh herbs like cilantro are frequently used as toppings. This is one of the best Thai dishes in Thailand. It is enjoyed as a snack or a light meal and is known for its crispy texture and sweet and savoury flavours.

Satay is a popular dish in Southeast Asia that originated in Indonesia but has since spread to neighbouring countries. The dish is typically made of marinated and grilled meat (such as chicken, beef, or pork) that is skewered and served with a peanut dipping sauce. The meat is cut into thin strips or small pieces and then seasoned with spices and herbs before being grilled to perfection over hot coals. The dish is typically served as a snack or as an appetizer and can be found at street food stalls, markets, and restaurants throughout Thailand. The combination of the savoury marinated meat and the sweet and slightly spicy peanut sauce make satay a favourite among Thai food lovers. There are variations in Satay depending on the size and type of meat used. Overall, Satay is one of the best Thai dishes to try on Thailand's streets. 

Hoy tod, a popular street food in Thailand, is made with crispy fried oysters. The oysters are coated with flour, eggs, and seasonings before being deep-fried until golden brown. Fresh herbs, a sweet chilli sauce, and a squeeze of lime are frequently added for flavour. Hoy tod is a popular snack that is offered at food courts, by street vendors, and in local restaurants in Thailand. If you're health conscious, you should give Hoy Tod a second thought because it's a little bit greasier than other Thai dishes. However, it's undoubtedly a tasty option, and Bangkok's Yaowarat Street has frequently been suggested for sampling this famous dish of Thailand.

Jok is among Thailand's traditional dishes made from rice porridge, which is a popular breakfast option. Rice and water are boiled to make the dish, which is then seasoned with ginger, garlic, scallions, and occasionally chicken or beef. Various toppings, including chopped cilantro, a hot chilli sauce, and fried shallots, are frequently added to the porridge when serving. Jok is a popular comfort food among Thais, especially in the morning, and is available from street vendors, food stalls, and neighbourhood eateries. Anyone visiting Thailand should try this dish because it is straightforward but delicious and showcases the flavours of Thai cuisine.

A sweet and sour chilli sauce is applied to deep-fried fish in the Thai dish called Pla Rad Prik. Usually, a whole fish that has been deboned, battered and deep-fried until crispy is used to prepare the dish. The sauce is typically offered as a dipping sauce for the fish and is made with chilli peppers, garlic, onions, and other ingredients. Regularly served with steamed rice and other side dishes like stir-fried vegetables or a hot green papaya salad, Pla Rad Prik is a staple of Thai cuisine. If you enjoy seafood, this deep-fried fish is one of the must-try dishes in Thailand.

A typical filling for the glutinous rice-based Khao Lam, a traditional Thai dessert, includes sweet black beans, sugar, and coconut milk. After being steamed inside the bamboo, the rice is cut into bite-sized pieces and offered as a dessert or snack. The dessert is a favourite among Thai people due to its chewy texture and sweet, creamy flavour. Khao Lam is one of Thailand’s traditional dishes, served during special occasions and festivals in Thailand, and is frequently enjoyed with tea or coffee. More people from all over the world are now aware of it and appreciate it, further solidifying its position in Thai cuisine.

Sliced bananas are wrapped in a crispy, flaky roti—a type of flatbread made in India—and deep-fried to create the sweet-and-salty Roti Kluay dish. The dish is frequently offered as a snack or dessert and is available in Thailand at food carts and street vendors. It frequently has toppings like sugar, honey, or condensed milk on top, and occasionally it comes with a side of coconut cream. The crispy exterior and sweet, soft bananas make for a satisfying treat. The dish is well-known for its combination of flavours and textures. It’s one of the best dishes in Thailand that one could try on the streets of Bangkok, Phuket, Ayutthaya, and Chiang Mai.

A traditional Northern Thai dish called Chiang Mai sausage, also known as "Sai Ua" in the local language, is made from ground pork combined with aromatic ingredients like lemongrass, galangal, and kaffir lime leaves. It is frequently grilled over hot coals and served with vegetables like cucumber and cabbage, sticky rice, and dipping sauces. The Chiang Mai sausage is a well-liked street food and snack in Chiang Mai and other northern Thai cities, and it has a strong, flavorful flavour. One of Thailand's signature dishes in the north can also be eaten grilled with sticky rice. Sai Ua was once a homemade sausage, but nowadays it is easily found in stores.

One of Thailand’s dishes and appetizers, known as Miang Kham, is made up of a variety of ingredients that are wrapped in a fresh green leaf, typically a betel leaf, and then eaten whole. In his book The Epic of the Verse of Foods, King Rama II mentions a few words about the dish. Shredded ginger, crushed peanuts, lime, chilli, palm syrup or sugar cane syrup for sweetener, and tiny pieces of dried shrimp or other seafood are frequently used as fillings. A distinctive and mouthwatering bite is made possible by the blending of flavours, textures, and spices. Miang Kham is a common dish to eat with friends and family while sipping on a cold beverage, and it is frequently served at Thai gatherings and events. Since Cha Phlu grows new leaves and shoots during the rainy season, it is then that the leaves are most readily available. 

Thai doughnuts also referred to as Pa Thong Ko, are a well-liked street food in Thailand. It is a tiny, deep-fried doughnut with a crispy exterior and a soft, chewy interior. Pa Thong Ko is frequently served with a sweet dipping sauce and sesame seeds or sugar on top. It's a well-liked snack that's frequently eaten with a cup of coffee or tea. In Thailand, street vendors and sidewalk stalls sell Pa Thong Ko, a straightforward but delicious treat. It is also interesting to see this dough prepared in the streets. Considered to be one of the famous dishes in Thailand, one could try these at different food stalls in the market as each one has its own taste.

The richness of cheesecake is combined with the flavour of durian, a tropical fruit noted for its intense, pungent perfume and creamy texture, to create baked durian cheesecake, a delectable delight. The durian is often included in the cheesecake recipe and cooked until it is hard. The result is a delicious treat that puts a unique and tasty spin on traditional cheesecake. This dish is a favourite among tourists looking for an exciting and distinctive eating experience and is offered in many Thai restaurants and specialized dessert shops. Foods like this cheesecake, which is a modern-day innovation with a fusion of western and traditional styles, are the Thailand dishes to try as they are more appealing to our taste buds.