10 Unbelievably Delicious Dishes You Have to Try in Thailand!

If you are looking for delicious, authentic food that will tantalize your taste buds, you should definitely head to Thailand. The tasty and unique flavors of Thai cuisine are notorious around the world and the country is home to some of the most amazing dishes. And the best Thai food has a unique blend of all 5 flavors: spicy, sweet, sour, salty, and creamy. Let’s explore the 10 must-try dishes when visiting Thailand.

Tom Yum Goong

You can’t go wrong with starting your culinary journey in Thailand with some Tom Yum Goong. This classic dish features a spicy and sour soup with shrimp as the main ingredient. Tom Yum Goong also includes lemon grass, kaffir lime leaves, galangal, mushrooms, shallots, and tomatoes to enhance the flavor. Another key feature of this dish is the access to a special chili paste called nam prik pao that you can use to add a tasty kick of heat.

Pad Thai

Pad Thai is probably the most popular Thai dish around the world. This scrumptious stir-fry is prepared with rice noodles. Moreover, people usually top it with zesty garlic, onion, egg, tamarind paste, pepper, and fish sauce. The key to a good Pad Thai dish is the balance between sweet, sour, and salty flavors. This balance makes the Pad Thai a favorite among tourists.

Green Curry

Thai green curry is the perfect dish if you are looking to spice things up a bit. This delicious and aromatic dish has a base of pleasantly spicy green chilis, coconut milk, and fish sauce. You can also mix in some vegetables, noodles, or chicken if you want to up the ante. The curry is usually served with steamed rice, so you can use the rice to balance out the heat.

Khao Phat

Khao Phat is a popular Thai fried rice dish. This simple dish consists of stir-fried jasmine rice mixed with a variety of ingredients such as onion, chicken, pork, shrimp, egg, and other vegetables. The combination of herbs and spices bring a tantalizingly savory flavor. You can eat khao pat on its own or with a side of Thai spicy sauce.

Som Tum

This traditional Thai salad is a favorite among locals and tourists alike. Som Tum is a spicy and refreshing salad that uses green papaya as the main ingredient. You can then mix with garlic, chili, tomatoes, fish sauce, lime, and peanuts. It’s important to use a mortar and pestle, to make the pounding process an integral part of the dish. It looks and tastes fantastic and is a great way to cool yourself down during hot days in Thailand.

Gai Pad Med Mamuang best Thai food

Gai Pad Med Mamuang is a tasty Thai dish that consists of chicken and cashews. The chicken is stir-fried with garlic and chili paste and is then seasoned with fish sauce, sugar, and oyster sauce. This savory meal is usually served on a bed of lettuce to add some crunch and freshness. Cashews are used to balance the sweetness and saltiness of the dish.

Massaman Curry

Massaman curry is a creamy, sweet and sour meal that is flavored mainly with cardamom, cinnamon, and nutmeg. The base of the curry includes coconut milk, potatoes, and peanuts, while the protein can be chosen to suit your preference. Massaman curry is one of the milder curries on offer in Thailand and it is great for those who want to enjoy the flavors of the country without too much of a kick.

Gaeng Keow Wan best Thai food

Gaeng Keow Wan, or green curry, is one of the most flavorful Thai dishes. It’s the best Thai food for sure. Thai people make this dish with a mix of green chilis, sweet basil, and coconut milk. The vegetables can vary from eggplant, bamboo shoots, to bell peppers, adding a distinct and delightful flavor to the meal. You can usually enjoy it with a side of steamed white rice.

Khao Soi

There’s a reason why many consider Khao Soi the best Thai food. It’s a delicious Burmese-inspired curry noodle dish. Thais usually make this with wheat noodles in a creamy coconut curry broth. The curry consists of a mix of spices including turmeric, cinnamon, and cumin, giving it a unique and delicious flavor. You can eat Khao Soi with a side of pickled cabbage, shallots, and lime wedges to add a touch of sourness and heat.

Mango Sticky Rice best Thai food

Mango sticky rice is a favorite Thai sweet dish. This scrumptious dessert consists of sweet, ripe mango and sticky rice. The combination of the sweet mango and the chewy and creamy rice creates a delightful flavor. You can then drench the sticky rice in coconut milk, making it even more delicious.

When visiting Thailand, you have to try all these amazing dishes. From the spicy curries to the sweet and savory desserts, the flavors of the best Thai food will take your taste buds on a journey. So what are you waiting for? Get going, and enjoy your adventure!

Wanna try regional Thai dishes? Check out our article on the best Central Thai dishes you need to try.