Thailand has earned global recognition as the world’s best country for food, thanks to its diverse Thai cuisine and world-famous street food culture. Known for its perfect balance of bold flavors and fresh ingredients, Thailand’s culinary scene offers endless dishes to explore from spicy Tom Yum soup to mouthwatering Thai desserts. In this article, we’ll explore the best Thailand food that every visitor should experience, including both famous national dishes and unique regional specialties from across the country.

1.The National Dishes of Thailand

1.1. Tom Yum – Thailand’s Signature Spicy & Sour Soup

If Vietnam is known for Pho, then Thailand’s Tom Yum is its culinary equivalent. This classic Thai soup features a bold and aromatic broth infused with signature herbs such as lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, galangal, chili, and lime juice. It is well-known for its bold, refreshing taste and health benefits, thanks to the medicinal properties of the herbs used.

There are many regional and ingredient-based variations of Tom Yum such as:

• Tom Yum Pla – Fish-based tom yum, using freshwater or saltwater fish.
• Tom Yum Talay – A seafood version with shrimp, squid, and mussels.
• Tom Yum Gai – A variation with chicken instead of seafood.
• Tom Yum Hed – A vegetarian version made with mushrooms.
• Tom Yum Nam Sai – The clear, original broth version without milk or coconut milk.

 Fun fact: Tom Yum Goong was listed by CNN Travel as one of the “World’s 50 Best Foods” and is often enjoyed with jasmine rice.

1.2. Pad Thai – Thailand’s National Stir-Fried Noodles

Your trip to Thailand will be perfect without eating Pad Thai –  one of  the most well-known dishes among foreigners who travel Thailand. It’s a stir-fried noodle dish, tofu, shrimp or chicken, egg, bean sprouts with a balance of sweet, sour, and savory flavors. It’s garnished with crushed peanuts, lime wedges, and chili flakes for a perfect balance of textures and tastes. This iconic dish is a harmonious blend of flavors that you will fall in love with at the first bite. 

 

1.3. Bua Loy- sweet dish

Unlike Pad Thai or Tom Yum, Bua Loy is a famous sweet dish in Thailand. It’s a traditional Thai dessert of brightly-colored balls of glutinous rice flour floating in sweetened coconut milk. 

It features chewy, colorful glutinous rice flour balls floating in warm, sweetened coconut milk. This subtle dessert looks as charming as it tastes. Each color is naturally derived from plants. If it’s pastel purple, tapioca flour mixed with taro, or golden, pumpkin, green, pandan, and so on.

1.4. Mango and Sticky Rice – a special Thailand food

When it comes to Thai desserts, nothing tops Mango Sticky Rice (Khao Niew Mamuang). It’s believed that all tourists know this dish- a beloved dessert combining sweet glutinous rice cooked in coconut milk, fresh ripe mango slices, and a drizzle of coconut cream.

It’s the perfect balance of sweetness, creaminess, and saltiness, often garnished with crispy mung beans or sesame seeds for extra texture. Mango Sticky Rice is especially popular during the mango season (March to June) and is a must-try for anyone visiting Thailand.

 

2.Must-Try Thai Street Food

2.1. Khao Mun Gai (Hainan Chicken Rice)

Khao man gai is the Thai variation of Hainanese chicken rice, a dish that’s extremely popular throughout Southeast Asia. It is a beloved all-day staple in Thailand, enjoyed for all meals, from breakfast, lunch, to dinner. It features boiled chicken served over fragrant rice cooked with chicken fat and broth, accompanied by a spicy soy-based dipping sauce and a bowl of clear chicken soup.

Tourists should put a teaspoon of spicy sauce on the chicken and a spoonful of the soup that usually comes on the side, and enjoy the various flavors dancing around in your mouth.

 

2.2. Pad Kaprao (Holy Basil Stir-Fried)

Pad Kaprao (Pad Krapow) is one of Thailand’s most popular everyday dishes and has even been recognized by TasteAtlas as one of the world’s best stir-fried meals. It consists of ground meat (usually pork, chicken, or beef) stir-fried with Thai holy basil, garlic, and chilies, seasoned with fish sauce and oyster sauce. Typically, it’s served over steamed rice and topped with a crispy fried egg (Kai Dao).

Fun fact: Thais often say “If you don’t know what to eat, order Pad Kaprao!”

2.3. Khanom Krok (Coconut Pancakes)

Khanom Krok are bite-sized coconut pancakes that are crispy on the outside and soft, custardy inside. Made from a mixture of rice flour, coconut milk, and sugar, these pancakes are cooked in a special cast-iron pan with round indentations.Topped with a variety of toppings from green onions, to corn, to taro, fragrant with the aroma of coconut and jasmine rice. The outer part is crispy and the filling sweet, creamy and usually piping hot.

2.4. Moo Ping: Grilled Pork Skewers

Moo Ping (grilled pork skewers) are a staple of Thailand food for breakfast and a favorite among tourists. Thin slices of pork are marinated in soy sauce, garlic, coconut milk, and palm sugar, then grilled over charcoal until juicy and caramelized.

They’re typically served with sticky rice (Khao Niew) and sometimes accompanied by a spicy dipping sauce. It’s a perfect on-the-go meal and a true taste of Thai street culture.

 

2.5. Khanom Buang: Thai Crispy Pancakes

Khanom Bueang, also called Thai Crispy Pancakes or Thai Crepes is one of the most popular street snacks/sweets travelers can find in Thailand. This ancient Thai dessert is actually from the Ayutthaya period. These crepes look a bit like Mexican tacos as some foreigners have said.

They resemble small tacos but are made from crispy rice flour crepes filled with meringue cream and topped with sweet or savory ingredients such as Foi Thong (golden egg yolk threads), shredded coconut, or chopped scallions.

3.Regional Thai Dishes to Try

3.1. Khao Soi (North)

A signature dish of Northern Thailand that tourists must try is Khao Soi. It is a delicious coconut soup in which numerous regional influences were combined to create a truly spectacular dish. The base of the soup is a slightly spicy broth which combines coconut milk and red curry paste.

The broth is served with flat egg noodles and a choice of meat, which usually includes chicken, beef, and pork. It is topped with a handful of crisp fried noodles and chopped cilantro. The dish is commonly served alongside a variety of condiments such as fresh lime, pickled cabbage, shallots, and chilis.

3.2. Kanom Jeen Nam Ngiao (North)

Kanom Jeen Nam Ngiao is perhaps the most well-known northern Thai dish among foreigners. This dish combines pork blood, pork bones, dok Ngaow, rice noodles, tomatoes, fried dried chiles, spring onions, and cilantro.It is typically served with shredded cabbage, bean sprouts, pickled cabbage, fried chiles, lime, and pork rind to enhance the experience. 

Each ingredient perfectly complements the others, producing a rich and pleasant flavor. The soup base is a flavorful pork bone broth with a wonderful sweetness and a dash of spice. Adding tomatoes, coriander, and onions offers a pleasant touch when combined with fresh veggies.

 

3.3. Som Tum Thai / Tum Lao (Northeast + Laos) –  Papaya salad

If you travel Northeast and regions near Laos, don’t miss Som Tum. This green papaya salad is not a single dish, but a whole category of salads which originated from the Northeast of Thailand and Laos.

This dish features shredded green papaya, fresh chilies, garlic, and naturally fermented fish sauce, blended into a bold and harmonious flavor profile. It embodies simplicity, earthiness, and the warmth of local traditions.

3.4. Gaeng Tai Pla (South)

Traveling to Southern Thailand, you’ll encounter a completely different flavor profile from the milder Central Thai dishes. One of the most iconic southern specialties is Gaeng Tai Pla, a rich, intensely spicy curry made with fermented fish entrails as its key ingredient.

This curry is a favorite among locals for its deep umami flavor and powerful aroma. The paste is traditionally prepared with tai pla (fermented fish innards), shrimp paste, dried fish, turmeric, galangal, lemongrass, and bird’s eye chilies, creating a complex and robust base. Coconut milk is rarely used in this curry, keeping it true to the southern Thai style, which is generally bolder, saltier, and spicier than northern or central cuisine.

Gaeng Tai Pla is typically served with steamed jasmine rice or kanom jeen (fermented rice noodles) to balance its intensity.

3.5. Kua Kling (South)

If you love intensely flavorful food, Kua Kling is a wonderful dish for you. This dish is from Southern Thailand. It’s a dry curry that embodies the region’s reputation for bold, spicy, and aromatic dishes. Unlike typical Thai curries that come with coconut milk or a broth, Kua Kling is fried dry, letting the curry paste cling to the meat and pack every bite with flavor.

And, Kua Kling is often served with steamed jasmine rice and fresh vegetables such as cucumber, long beans, or cabbage to cool down the palate.

Fun fact: Kua Kling is considered one of the spiciest Thai curries, yet it’s adored for its depth of flavor and aroma rather than just its heat.

4.Vegetarian-Friendly Thai Dishes

Thai cuisine isn’t just about spice and meat , it’s also full of vibrant, plant-based dishes that are healthy, flavorful, and easy to love. Many traditional Thai meals naturally feature vegetables, herbs, and tofu, making them perfect for vegetarians or those seeking lighter options.

 

4.1.Tum Ma Muang (Spicy Green Mango Salad)

Tum Ma Muang is a refreshing Thai salad made from shredded green mango, tossed with lime juice, chili, garlic, and roasted peanuts. It’s a similar version as the famous Som Tum (papaya salad) but uses mango for a tangier and slightly sour flavor. This dish offers a perfect balance of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy. It’s easily be made vegetarian by skipping fish sauce or dried shrimp, replacing them with soy sauce or sea salt instead. It’s light, zesty, and ideal that tourists can’t miss for a hot tropical day.

4.2.Pad Pak – a colorful dish

Pad Pak in Thailand literally means “stir-fried vegetables,” and it’s a simple yet comforting dish found at nearly every Thai restaurant. This dish is not only delicious but also has a great appearance. A colorful mix of broccoli, carrots, mushrooms, baby corn, cabbage, and bell peppers is stir-fried with garlic, soy sauce, and oyster sauce (travelers can note with restaurant to use mushroom sauce for a vegetarian version).

Served with steamed jasmine rice, Pad Pak is mild, wholesome, and full of natural vegetable sweetness, it’s perfect for those who prefer a non-spicy Thai meal.

4.3.Guay Tiew Lui Suan (Thai Rice Noodle Salad Roll)

Guay Tiew Lui Suan means “garden rolls” and is Thailand’s version of fresh rice paper rolls. These healthy, bite-sized rolls are packed with fresh herbs, lettuce, tofu, and glass noodles, all wrapped in soft rice noodle sheets, a great choice for all vegetarian foodies.

They’re served with a tangy, spicy dipping sauce made from lime juice, chilies, and peanuts or a mild soy-based sauce for a vegetarian twist. Light, refreshing, and packed with flavor, Guay Tiew Lui Suan is a favorite among health-conscious eaters.

5.FAQ: Thailand food for First-Time Visitors

5.1. Are there any Thai dishes that are not spicy?

Yes, of course. While Thailand is known for its spicy flavors, many Thai dishes can be enjoyed mild or completely non-spicy. Tourists can try Pad Thai, Pad Pak (stir-fried vegetables), Khao Mun Gai (chicken rice), or Mango Sticky Rice if you prefer gentle flavors. In restaurants, you can always say “Mai Phet”, which means “not spicy” when ordering food.

5.2.What do Thai people eat for breakfast?

Breakfast in Thailand is often light but satisfying. Locals enjoy dishes such as:

• Jok (rice porridge) with minced pork and ginger,
• Khao Tom (rice soup),
• Khai Jiew (Thai omelet) over rice, or
• Grilled pork skewers (Moo Ping) with sticky rice.
• Patongo -Thai version of the donut
• Khao Neow Sang Kaya ( sticky rice topped with a slice of custard)

There are a lot of delicious street stalls in the morning along the streets in Thailand so it’s easy for you to eat everything you want.

5.3.How much is food in Thailand?

Food in Thailand is generally very affordable and offers excellent value for money. Street food dishes like Pad Thai or fried rice usually cost between 30–70 THB ($1–$2), while meals in local restaurants range from 70–150 THB ($2–$4). Even mid-range dining remains budget-friendly, making it easy to enjoy authentic Thai cuisine without spending much. Whether in Bangkok or smaller towns, delicious food is available everywhere at great prices.

5.4.What food is Thailand known for?

Thailand is world-famous for its balance of flavors and colorful presentation. The most well-known dishes that tourists should eat, including:

• Pad Thai (stir-fried noodles)
• Tom Yum Goong (spicy shrimp soup)
• Green Curry (Gaeng Keow Wan)
• Som Tum (papaya salad)
• Mango Sticky Rice

These dishes represent the harmony of spicy, sour, sweet, and salty tastes that make Thai food so irresistible to travelers worldwide.

 

From flavorful street food to rich regional specialties, Thailand truly deserves its title as the world’s best country for food. Each dish of Thailand food tells a story of culture, tradition, and passion blending sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors into unforgettable meals, that make your tours in this country become more memorable and interesting.

Ready to experience Thailand’s incredible flavors firsthand?

Travel with Asia Viva Travel  to explore the best of Thailand from its bustling food markets to stunning cultural landmarks. You can even combine your Thailand tour with visits to neighboring destinations like Vietnam, Cambodia, or Laos for a complete Southeast Asia adventure filled with culture, nature, and amazing food.