What to Eat in Thailand: The Ultimate Local Food Guide

If you’re heading to Thailand and not planning your trip around the food, you might want to rethink things. Thai food isn’t just something you eat between activities, it is one of the best parts of the experience. If you’re wondering what to eat, where to eat it, and how not to miss the good stuff, here’s a guide to help you find the flavours worth travelling for.

What to eat in Thailand: Must-try dishes you can find almost everywhere

Pad Thai

It’s a classic for a reason. Stir-fried noodles with tamarind, egg, tofu or prawns, topped with crushed peanuts and a squeeze of lime. A great place to start if you’re new to Thai food.

Tom Yum Goong

This hot and sour soup packs a punch. It’s made with prawns, lemongrass, chilli and lime, the kind of dish that wakes up your taste buds.

Green Curry

Creamy coconut milk meets green chillies, basil and chicken or fish balls. It’s spicy, rich, and served with steamed rice. You’ll find red and yellow curries too, but green is often the most popular.

Mango Sticky Rice

Sweet, simple, and probably the best thing you’ll eat all summer. This dessert of ripe mango, sticky coconut rice and a light drizzle of coconut cream is pure comfort food.

Som Tam (Green Papaya Salad)

Spicy, sour, a little sweet, and very addictive. Shredded unripe papaya tossed with chilli, lime, fish sauce, garlic and palm sugar. Usually eaten with sticky rice and grilled meat.

Moo Ping (Grilled Pork Skewers)

Found at nearly every market or roadside stall. These juicy, smoky pork skewers are marinated in garlic and soy and grilled over charcoal.

Khao Man Gai

Thailand’s version of chicken rice. Steamed chicken over fragrant rice with a garlicky ginger sauce. Simple, clean and easy on the stomach if you’ve had one too many chillies.

Kanom Krok

Small coconut-rice pancakes, crispy on the outside and soft in the middle. Usually served in pairs and slightly sweet. Great with a Thai iced tea.

Regional favourites that are worth the trip

Different parts of Thailand have their own food personalities. If you’re travelling around, here’s what to look out for.

Northern Thailand (Chiang Mai, Pai)

• Khao Soi: Curried noodle soup with crispy noodles on top. This dish alone is worth the flight north.
• Sai Oua: Spicy pork sausage flavoured with herbs and lemongrass.
• Sticky rice with dips: Northern Thai meals often come with various nam prik (chilli dips) and vegetables.

Southern Thailand (Phuket, Krabi, Koh Lanta)

• Roti with curry: Flaky, buttery roti served with yellow curry, great for breakfast or a quick snack.
• Seafood barbecue: Many beaches have fresh fish grilled right in front of you, usually with a spicy dipping sauce.
• Gaeng Som: A fiery, sour curry made with fish and tamarind.

Isaan (Northeast Thailand)

This region is less visited but full of flavour.

• Larb: A minced meat salad with lime juice, fish sauce and herbs.
• Grilled chicken with sticky rice and Som Tam: A typical Isaan combo that’s both filling and full of punch.

Ready to try it all?

Eating in Thailand is part of the adventure. If you’re planning your trip and want help building the kind of itinerary that includes both food and fun, we’re here for it.

Talk to us at Asia Holidays and we’ll help you design a trip that feeds your appetite, in more ways than one.