Thai food is renowned for its intense flavours and fragrant spices, making it popular worldwide.
However, nothing beats the experience of tasting these delicious dishes while being surrounded by Thailand’s fantastic and colourful atmosphere.
So what to eat in Thailand?
We have compiled 10 fantastic and popular Thai dishes that you must try on your tour to Thailand.
You can’t mention Thai food without saying Pad Thai.
The famous Thai dish consists of stir-fried rice noodles, shrimp, bean sprouts, shallots, and eggs. In some versions of the dish, the shrimp can be replaced with chicken, pork, or tofu.
Pad Thai is loved by many for its great mix of sweet, salty, and sour flavours – and it’s known for not being too spicy, so everyone can enjoy it.
Khao Pad is also known as fried rice.
At any Thai restaurant, they will have a variant of Khao Pad – and there are endless combinations.
Khao Pad is simply stir-fried rice with eggs and various vegetables like carrots, peas, tomatoes, onions, and garlic. The dish can also contain different types of meat such as chicken, pork, beef, or shrimp.
This means you can get the version of Khao Pad that you prefer.
If you want to try a traditional dish from Northern Thai cuisine, then you should try Khao Soi.
Khao Soi is a curry soup with egg noodles and coconut milk, typically served with chicken or beef, and often topped with lime, spring onions, and deep-fried noodles.
The dish, which combines sweet, salty, and spicy flavours, is very popular around Chiang Mai, so if you are in the city, we highly recommend you try Khao Soi.
Tom Yum is a spicy, sour soup.
The soup is based on a broth made from lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, galangal (which is similar to ginger), lime juice, fish sauce, and crushed chili. It is packed with strong flavours that complement each other – and it’s spicy!
Goong means shrimp in Thai, and Tom Yum Goong is the most popular variant of the soup. It is also available with other types of meat or with mushrooms.
The soup is often served with rice as a side dish.
If you want to avoid really spicy dishes and found Tom Yum too hot, there is another fantastic Thai soup that is not as spicy: Tom Kha Gai.
The combination of fresh lime, coconut milk, and lemongrass gives the soup a great contrast between sour and sweet.
The soup is often served with chicken and jasmine rice.
Curry plays a central role in Thai cuisine, and there are many variants. The most well-known are yellow curry (kaeng lueang), red curry (gaeng daeng), and green curry (gaeng keow wan gai).
They can generally be categorised by their level of spiciness. Yellow curry is the mildest, followed by red curry, while green curry is the spiciest.
All variants are rich in the flavours of chili, lemongrass, and coconut milk and are served with rice and chicken.
Panang is also a curry dish like yellow, red, and green curry.
However, it distinguishes itself with its thicker consistency and sweeter taste, and it is made with peanuts, giving it a different flavour than the closely related red curry.
The origin of Panang curry is debated, with some believing it originates from the Malaysian island of Penang, while others believe it has roots in central Thailand.
Regardless of its origin, it is a popular Thai dish that can be found all over Thailand.
The street food classic Moo Satay is popular among locals and visitors alike.
The spicy pork skewers are marinated in coconut milk, curry, coriander, garlic, and turmeric, and then grilled.
These grilled skewers are popular throughout Asia, and they are perfect as a small snack on the go or as a side dish for dinner.
Khanom Krok is a pancake made of rice flour, sugar, and coconut milk, shaped like small bowls. The pancake has a crunchy shell, while the inside is creamy.
Khanom Krok can be eaten as is, but it comes in many variants. They can be topped with everything from spring onions and taro to corn or something entirely different.
The coconut pancake is particularly popular in Northern Thailand, but it is sold throughout the country. It is one of the most popular snacks in Thailand, and if you go to a market that serves street food, there is a high chance they will sell Khanom Krok.
If you were to eat only one Thai dessert, we know which one it should be: Mango Sticky Rice (Khao Niao Mamuang).
The iconic Thai dessert is made of sticky rice, fresh mango, and sweet coconut milk in which the rice is cooked.
The combination of the sweet coconut milk and the fresh mango makes this dessert the perfect end to any Thai meal.
TourCompass – From tourist to traveller
The classic Thailand tour taking in vibrant Bangkok, the lush River Kwai, historic Ayutthaya and charming Chiang Mai. Round it all off on Koh Samui’s lovely beaches.
Visit three of Southern Thailand’s heavenly islands, with views of iconic, vertical limestone cliffs and traditional longboats – giving you that perfect background.
Do you dream of lazing in paradise surroundings while discovering Thai culture and unspoiled island life? Experience 2 islands with everything from picture-postcard beaches to waterfalls and local landmarks.
Look forward to relaxing at Thailand’s No. 1 beach holiday destination, Phuket, and experiencing the country’s most scenic national park, Khao Sok. Round off your tour in the quiet, authentic beach paradise that is Khao Lak.
Look forward to combining the absolute highlights of Thailand in Bangkok, the River Kwai, Ayutthaya and Chiang Mai with a fantastic beach holiday in the holiday paradise that is Phuket.
Look forward to experiences and relaxation on the coconut island of Koh Samui and head out on an adventure in Thailand’s most beautiful national park, Khao Sok. Round it all off in the authentic holiday paradise of Khao Lak.
Come and experience Thailand from north to south with charming Chiang Mai, vibrant Bangkok and the lush Khao Sok National Park. Round it all off on Phuket’s fabulous sandy beaches.
Discover Krabi’s beautiful beaches and look forward to island-hopping adventures in the Andaman Sea. Enjoy Koh Lanta’s laid-back atmosphere and unwind completely on Koh Ngai’s paradisiacal beaches.
Look forward to city life in Bangkok, a lively island vibe in Phuket and wind right down on the charming, peaceful island of Koh Yao Yai in Phang Nga Bay.
Experience Bangkok’s vibrant city life with an exciting street food excursion in tuk tuk, explore untouched nature and wild elephants in Khao Yai and enjoy a relaxing beach holiday on Koh Samet’s white beaches.
Discover all the shades of Thailand: the lively streets and delectable street food of Bangkok, the calming atmosphere and ancient temples of Chiang Mai, and the adventures in the Golden Triangle in Chiang Rai.
Explore the vibrant city of Bangkok and its culinary delights on a tuk-tuk street food tour. Conclude with an adventurous island hop between the tranquil serenity of Koh Kood and the lively atmosphere of Koh Chang.
Look forward to experiencing the wonder of the world, Angkor Wat, enjoy the view over Luang Prabang from Mount Phousi, and fall in love with the charming city of Chiang Mai.
Be enchanted by Hanoi’s ancient streets and sail between the soaring limestone islands in Ha Long Bay. Experience the eighth wonder of the world Angkor Wat, and finish in the charming city of Chiang Mai.
Join us in Northern Thailand and experience Chiang Mai and the picturesque Mae Hong Son loop. The tour is for those who have explored Thailand’s highlights and are now looking for new adventures off the beaten track.
Experience Bangkok’s striking contrasts and fantastic food scene, while diving into history by the River Kwai. Explore the impressive temple ruins of Ayutthaya and conclude your journey on the beautiful beaches of Koh Samet.
Experience the contrasts of Bangkok, the jungle of Khao Sok, and the emerald-green Cheow Lan Lake. Conclude your tour on Krabi’s delightful sandy beaches with opportunities for relaxation and exciting excursions.
The classic Thailand tour taking in vibrant Bangkok, the lush River Kwai, historic Ayutthaya and charming Chiang Mai. Round it all off on Koh Samui’s lovely beaches.
Visit three of Southern Thailand’s heavenly islands, with views of iconic, vertical limestone cliffs and traditional longboats – giving you that perfect background.
Do you dream of lazing in paradise surroundings while discovering Thai culture and unspoiled island life? Experience 2 islands with everything from picture-postcard beaches to waterfalls and local landmarks.
Look forward to relaxing at Thailand’s No. 1 beach holiday destination, Phuket, and experiencing the country’s most scenic national park, Khao Sok. Round off your tour in the quiet, authentic beach paradise that is Khao Lak.
Look forward to combining the absolute highlights of Thailand in Bangkok, the River Kwai, Ayutthaya and Chiang Mai with a fantastic beach holiday in the holiday paradise that is Phuket.
Look forward to experiences and relaxation on the coconut island of Koh Samui and head out on an adventure in Thailand’s most beautiful national park, Khao Sok. Round it all off in the authentic holiday paradise of Khao Lak.
Come and experience Thailand from north to south with charming Chiang Mai, vibrant Bangkok and the lush Khao Sok National Park. Round it all off on Phuket’s fabulous sandy beaches.
Discover Krabi’s beautiful beaches and look forward to island-hopping adventures in the Andaman Sea. Enjoy Koh Lanta’s laid-back atmosphere and unwind completely on Koh Ngai’s paradisiacal beaches.
Look forward to city life in Bangkok, a lively island vibe in Phuket and wind right down on the charming, peaceful island of Koh Yao Yai in Phang Nga Bay.
Experience Bangkok’s vibrant city life with an exciting street food excursion in tuk tuk, explore untouched nature and wild elephants in Khao Yai and enjoy a relaxing beach holiday on Koh Samet’s white beaches.
Discover all the shades of Thailand: the lively streets and delectable street food of Bangkok, the calming atmosphere and ancient temples of Chiang Mai, and the adventures in the Golden Triangle in Chiang Rai.
Explore the vibrant city of Bangkok and its culinary delights on a tuk-tuk street food tour. Conclude with an adventurous island hop between the tranquil serenity of Koh Kood and the lively atmosphere of Koh Chang.
Look forward to experiencing the wonder of the world, Angkor Wat, enjoy the view over Luang Prabang from Mount Phousi, and fall in love with the charming city of Chiang Mai.
Be enchanted by Hanoi’s ancient streets and sail between the soaring limestone islands in Ha Long Bay. Experience the eighth wonder of the world Angkor Wat, and finish in the charming city of Chiang Mai.
Join us in Northern Thailand and experience Chiang Mai and the picturesque Mae Hong Son loop. The tour is for those who have explored Thailand’s highlights and are now looking for new adventures off the beaten track.
Experience Bangkok’s striking contrasts and fantastic food scene, while diving into history by the River Kwai. Explore the impressive temple ruins of Ayutthaya and conclude your journey on the beautiful beaches of Koh Samet.
Experience the contrasts of Bangkok, the jungle of Khao Sok, and the emerald-green Cheow Lan Lake. Conclude your tour on Krabi’s delightful sandy beaches with opportunities for relaxation and exciting excursions.
