Thailand

Thailand Food: 20 Dishes to Try

Every dish ranked by how essential it is — must-try picks first, with photos and what’s actually in them.

Khao Niao Mamuang

Must-try
🌱 Vegan · Snack · Breakfast

Fresh sweet mango slices served with warm sticky rice infused with coconut milk and a sprinkle of toasted mung beans, a seasonal delight.

Khao Niao Mamuang
Kenamparo (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Khanom Jeen Nam Ngiao

Must-try
Lunch

Fermented rice noodles served in a spicy and tangy broth made with pork ribs, congealed blood, and a unique chili paste, offering a hearty and authentic Lanna experience.

Khanom Jeen Nam Ngiao
Takeaway (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Kai Jeow

Must-try
Breakfast · Lunch

Thai-style omelet, often served with rice and a side of spicy dipping sauce. A simple, satisfying breakfast or quick lunch.

Kai Jeow
Photo by UNDO KIM on Pexels

Khao Pad Talay

Must-try
🐟 Pescatarian · Lunch

A simple yet satisfying fried rice dish, elevated with fresh local seafood like shrimp, squid, and fish.

Khao Pad Talay
Photo by Markus Winkler on Pexels

Gaeng Keow Wan (Green Curry)

Must-try
Lunch · Dinner

A fragrant curry made with green chilies, coconut milk, bamboo shoots, Thai eggplant, and often chicken or fish balls, known for its creamy yet spicy profile.

Gaeng Keow Wan (Green Curry)
Takeaway (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Massaman Curry

Must-try
Lunch

This rich, mildly spicy, and sweet curry with Muslim origins is a staple of Southern Thai cuisine, often featuring chicken or beef and potatoes.

Massaman Curry
Takeaway (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Pad See Ew

Must-try
Lunch · Dinner

Chewy wide rice noodles stir-fried with Chinese broccoli, egg, and a savory dark soy sauce.

Pad See Ew
stu_spivack (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Ba Mee Kiew Moo Daeng

Must-try
Lunch

A comforting staple, combining bouncy egg noodles with savory wontons and sweet roasted pork.

Ba Mee Kiew Moo Daeng
Photo by bynamnamnam on Pexels

Kaeng Khanun

Must-try
Dinner

A unique and flavorful curry made with young jackfruit, often incorporating pork belly or ribs, distinctively representing Northern Thai use of local produce.

Kaeng Khanun
Takeaway (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Laab Moo

Must-try
Dinner

A spicy and aromatic minced pork salad bursting with herbs, lime, chili, and toasted ground rice.

Laab Moo
Jpatokal (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Lo Ba

Must-try
Snack

Deep-fried mixed offal, typically pork, served with a sweet and spicy dipping sauce, a popular Phuket street food.

Lo Ba
Peachyeung316 (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Pad Kra Pao Moo Kai Dao

Must-try
Lunch

A fiery stir-fry of minced pork and holy basil, often served over rice with a crispy fried egg.

Pad Kra Pao Moo Kai Dao
Photo by Lalada . on Pexels

Roti Gluay (Banana Roti)

Must-try
Breakfast · Lunch · Snack

A popular street snack with Indian origins, a thin pancake fried until crispy, filled with sliced banana, and often drizzled with condensed milk.

Roti Gluay (Banana Roti)
Photo by Markus Winkler on Pexels

Som Tum Thai

Must-try
Snack

Fresh green papaya pounded with chilies, fish sauce, lime, peanuts, and tomatoes for a crunchy, spicy, and tangy salad from Isaan.

Som Tum Thai
Alexander Klink (CC BY 4.0)

Tam Khanun

Must-try
Lunch · Snack

A local take on green papaya salad, this version uses unripe jackfruit instead of papaya. It’s spicier and tangier than the more common Som Tum, a testament to the region’s unique flavor profile.

Tam Khanun
Takeaway (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Guay Teow Reua

Worth a taste
Guay Teow Reua
Photo by Markus Winkler on Pexels

Khao Mun Gai

Worth a taste
Khao Mun Gai
Photo by Tanikorn Chaisrisa on Pexels

Khao Neow Moo Yang

Worth a taste
Khao Neow Moo Yang
Photo by Markus Winkler on Pexels

Pla Pao

Worth a taste
🐟 Pescatarian
Pla Pao
Photo by Bert Christiaens on Pexels

Guay Jab

Worth a taste
Guay Jab
NuCastiel from Bangkok, Thailand (CC BY 2.0)