Every bite of Thai food tells a story of centuries-old culinary wisdom, where sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavours dance in perfect harmony. A recent survey by the Tourism Authority of Thailand reveals that 96% of visitors rate food as their top reason for exploring this fascinating country.
‘In Thai culture, food isn’t just sustenance—it’s an art form passed down through generations’, says Chef Nooror Somany Steppe of Blue Elephant Restaurant chain. Let these Thailand famous food specialties transport you to streets filled with aromatic spices and fresh herbs.
Thai Cuisine: 20 Extraordinary Must Try Food in Thailand
Thai cuisine stands out for its masterful use of fresh herbs, aromatic spices, and the perfect balance of five fundamental tastes. From street food vendors to upscale restaurants, these best food to try in Thailand showcase why Thai cuisine ranks among the world’s most beloved culinary traditions.
Non-Vegetarian Thai Cuisine
1. Tom Yum Goong – Hot and Sour Prawn Soup
This iconic traditional food of Thailand combines succulent prawns with fragrant lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and galangal in a spicy-sour broth. The soup gets its characteristic heat from bird’s eye chilies and a rich depth from nam prik pao (roasted chili paste), creating an unforgettable explosion of flavours that’s both invigorating and comforting.
Must Try: With fresh lime juice and extra chilies
Price Range: ฿80-200 (USD 2.30-5.70)
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2. Pad Thai – Stir-Fried Rice Noodles
Perhaps the most famous of all Thai famous food, Pad Thai features rice noodles stir-fried with eggs, tofu, dried shrimp, and a sauce that perfectly balances sweet, sour, and savoury notes. Each plate comes garnished with ground peanuts, lime wedges, and fresh bean sprouts, offering different textures in every mouthful.
Must Try: With extra peanuts and chili flakes
Price Range: ฿50-150 (USD 1.40-4.30)
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3. Som Tam – Green Papaya Salad
Som Tam exemplifies the vibrant street food in Thailand, bringing together shredded green papaya, tomatoes, long beans, and peanuts in a mortar and pestle-pounded dressing. The dressing combines fish sauce, lime juice, palm sugar, and chilies, creating an addictive mix of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavours.
Must Try: With sticky rice and grilled chicken
Price Range: ฿40-100 (USD 1.15-2.85)
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4. Gaeng Keow Wan – Green Curry
Among the most beloved popular dishes in Thailand, this green curry simmers tender chicken or beef in coconut milk infused with a paste of green chilies, lemongrass, and Thai basil. Small, round Thai eggplants and sweet pea eggplants add textural interest and soak up the rich, aromatic sauce.
Must Try: With roti or jasmine rice
Price Range: ฿80-200 (USD 2.30-5.70)
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5. Massaman Curry – Royal Thai Curry
This authentic food in Thailand traces its roots to Persian influences, combining tender beef with potatoes, onions, and peanuts in a rich coconut curry. The curry paste incorporates unusual spices for Thai cuisine, including cardamom, cinnamon, and star anise, creating a mild yet complex flavour profile.
Must Try: With jasmine rice and roti
Price Range: ฿100-250 (USD 2.85-7.15)
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6. Pad Kra Pao – Holy Basil Stir-Fry
A beloved street food in Thailand, this quick stir-fry combines minced chicken, pork, or beef with holy basil and plenty of chilies. The holy basil’s unique peppery flavour, combined with garlic, chilies, and a perfect sauce, makes this dish a favourite among locals and visitors alike.
Must Try: With a fried egg on top
Price Range: ฿50-120 (USD 1.40-3.45)
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7. Tom Kha Gai – Coconut Chicken Soup
This gentler cousin to Tom Yum showcases traditional food of Thailand at its finest, featuring tender chicken in a coconut milk-based soup. Galangal, lemongrass, and kaffir lime leaves create a fragrant broth, while mushrooms add earthiness and texture.
Must Try: With steamed rice and fresh lime
Price Range: ฿80-180 (USD 2.30-5.15)
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8. Khao Pad – Thai Fried Rice
A staple among popular dishes in Thailand, this fried rice elevates leftover rice with eggs, onions, and your choice of protein. The secret lies in using jasmine rice and seasoning with fish sauce, creating a distinctly Thai version of this Asian classic.
Must Try: With lime and nam prik pao
Price Range: ฿50-120 (USD 1.40-3.45)
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9. Yam Nua – Spicy Beef Salad
This refreshing Thai famous food combines grilled beef with fresh herbs, shallots, and a zesty lime dressing. The beef is sliced thin and mixed with mint, cilantro, and lemongrass, creating a light yet satisfying dish perfect for hot days.
Must Try: With sticky rice and beer
Price Range: ฿120-250 (USD 3.45-7.15)
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10. Pad See Ew – Stir-Fried Soy Sauce Noodles
Among the most popular street food in Thailand, these wide rice noodles are stir-fried with Chinese broccoli, eggs, and your choice of meat in a sweet soy sauce. The key to its success lies in achieving ‘wok hei’ – that smoky flavour from high-heat wok cooking.
Must Try: With extra chili vinegar
Price Range: ฿50-120 (USD 1.40-3.45)
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11. Gaeng Panang – Panang Curry
This authentic food in Thailand is a richer, thicker curry featuring beef simmered in a coconut-based sauce. The curry paste includes ground peanuts and a special blend of spices, creating a nutty, slightly sweet flavour that’s less spicy than other Thai curries.
Must Try: With steamed rice and extra lime leaves
Price Range: ฿100-220 (USD 2.85-6.30)
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12. Moo Ping – Grilled Pork Skewers
A beloved street food in Thailand, these marinated pork skewers are grilled over charcoal until caramelized and smoky. The marinade combines garlic, pepper, and palm sugar, creating a perfect balance of sweet and savoury flavours.
Must Try: With sticky rice and jaew sauce
Price Range: ฿10-20 per skewer (USD 0.30-0.60)
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13. Khao Soi – Northern Thai Curry Noodles
This northern Thai famous food features egg noodles in a rich coconut curry broth, topped with crispy noodles. The curry combines both Indian and Burmese influences, creating a unique flavour profile that’s become synonymous with Chiang Mai cuisine.
Must Try: With pickled mustard greens and shallots
Price Range: ฿60-150 (USD 1.70-4.30)
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14. Lab Moo – Minced Pork Salad
A traditional food of Thailand from the northeast, this spicy salad combines minced pork with roasted rice powder, chilies, and fresh herbs. The roasted rice powder adds a nutty flavour and unique texture, while lime juice and fish sauce create a perfect dressing.
Must Try: With sticky rice and fresh vegetables
Price Range: ฿80-180 (USD 2.30-5.15)
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15. Kuay Tiew – Noodle Soup
This versatile street food in Thailand comes in countless variations, with different noodles, broths, and toppings. The clear broth is slowly simmered with pork or chicken bones, creating a clean yet flavourful base for rice noodles and your choice of meat.
Must Try: With pork balls and morning glory
Price Range: ฿40-100 (USD 1.15-2.85)
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Veg Thai Cuisine
16. Pad Pak Ruam Jay – Buddhist-Style Mixed Vegetables
This authentic food in Thailand elevates simple vegetables to new heights through careful stir-frying and seasoning with mushroom sauce instead of oyster sauce. The dish combines seasonal vegetables like baby corn, mushrooms, carrots, and Chinese cabbage, all cooked to maintain their natural sweetness and crunch.
Must Try: With brown rice and crispy garlic
Price Range: ฿60-120 (USD 1.70-3.45)
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17. Gang Jay – Vegetarian Yellow Curry
A creamy coconut-based curry that proves Thai famous food isn’t all about meat. This curry combines potatoes, pumpkin, tofu, and mixed vegetables in a rich sauce flavoured with turmeric, coriander, and other aromatic spices.
Must Try: With roti or jasmine rice
Price Range: ฿80-180 (USD 2.30-5.15)
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18. Som Tam Jay – Vegetarian Green Papaya Salad
This meat-free version of the classic street food in Thailand skips the fish sauce and dried shrimp, replacing them with soy sauce and crushed peanuts. The result maintains all the vibrant flavours of the original while being completely vegetarian-friendly.
Must Try: With sticky rice and grilled corn
Price Range: ฿40-100 (USD 1.15-2.85)
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19. Pad Thai Jay – Vegetarian Stir-Fried Noodles
A vegetarian take on Thailand’s national dish, this version of traditional food of Thailand uses tofu as the protein and omits eggs and dried shrimp. The noodles are stir-fried with tamarind sauce, palm sugar, and crushed peanuts, creating a perfectly balanced meat-free meal.
Must Try: With extra lime and chili flakes
Price Range: ฿50-120 (USD 1.40-3.45)
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20. Tom Kha Hed – Coconut Mushroom Soup
This vegetarian adaptation of the classic Tom Kha showcases why Thai famous food is beloved worldwide. The soup features various mushrooms in a fragrant coconut broth infused with galangal, lemongrass, and kaffir lime leaves.
Must Try: With steamed rice and fresh chili oil
Price Range: ฿70-150 (USD 2.00-4.30)
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FAQs
What is Thailand’s National Dish?
Pad Thai and Tom Yum Goong share the honour of being Thailand’s most celebrated national dishes. These dishes represent the perfect balance of Thai flavours and cooking techniques that have made Thai cuisine famous worldwide.
Is Thai Food Expensive?
Thai food offers excellent value for money, with street food dishes typically costing ฿30-100 (USD 0.85-2.85) and restaurant meals ranging from ฿150-500 (USD 4.30-14.30). Fine dining experiences can cost more but generally remain reasonable by international standards.
What Type of Food is Eaten in Thailand?
Thai cuisine features rice-based dishes, noodles, curries, stir-fries, and salads, all incorporating fresh herbs and spices. Fresh ingredients, balanced flavours, and aromatic herbs characterise everyday Thai meals.
What is a Typical Breakfast in Thailand?
Thai breakfasts typically include rice soup (jok), stir-fried noodles, or rice with curry. Many Thais also enjoy Chinese-style breakfast dishes like patongo (Thai doughnuts) with coffee.
What is the Best Time to Experience Thai Food?
Visit during the cool season (November to February) when outdoor dining is most pleasant. Local festivals like Songkran and the Vegetarian Festival offer unique culinary experiences.
What are Traditional Thai Cooking Methods?
Thai cooking incorporates various techniques including stir-frying (pad), grilling (yang), steaming (neung), and pounding ingredients in a mortar and pestle (tam). Each method brings out distinct flavours and textures in the ingredients.
What Currency is Used in Thailand?
Thailand uses the Thai Baht (THB). Currently, 1 USD equals approximately 35 THB.
