10 Must-Try Thai Dishes: A Guide to Thailand’s Best Street Food
If you’re exploring Bangkok on a tuk tuk tour, diving into Thailand’s world-famous cuisine is a must. Thai food is bold, colorful, aromatic, and deeply connected to the culture and local markets. From sizzling street food stalls to hidden gems inside fresh markets, here are 10 of the best Thai dishes you should not miss.
1. Pad Thai (ผัดไทย)
A global favorite and a street food icon, Pad Thai is a stir-fried noodle dish mixed with prawns or chicken, tofu, bean sprouts, tamarind sauce, and crushed peanuts. It perfectly balances sweet, savory, and tangy flavors.
2. Som Tum – Papaya Salad (ส้มตำ)
Originally from Isaan, Som Tum is a spicy green papaya salad made with chili, lime, fish sauce, tomatoes, peanuts, and sometimes salted crab. Fresh, crunchy, and fiery—best enjoyed at a street food stall.
3. Tom Yum Goong – Spicy Shrimp Soup (ต้มยำกุ้ง)
One of the most famous Thai dishes, Tom Yum blends lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, galangal, chili, and lime into a fragrant and spicy soup. Add prawns and mushrooms for the classic version.
4. Pad Krapao – Basil Stir Fry (ผัดกะเพรา)
A street food staple, Pad Krapao is made with minced chicken or pork stir-fried with Thai holy basil, garlic, and chilies. Usually served with rice and a fried egg ("kai dao").
5. Green Curry (แกงเขียวหวาน)
Rich, aromatic, and slightly spicy, Green Curry features tender meat, coconut milk, Thai eggplants, and basil. Its iconic green color comes from fresh green chilies.
6. Massaman Curry (แกงมัสมั่น)
A mild and creamy curry influenced by Persian flavors. Massaman includes potatoes, peanuts, onions, and tender beef or chicken braised in coconut milk.
7. Moo Ping – Grilled Pork Skewers (หมูปิ้ง)
A must-try on any street food adventure, Moo Ping are marinated pork skewers grilled over charcoal. Juicy, smoky, and slightly sweet—often eaten with sticky rice.
8. Khao Soi – Northern Curry Noodles (ข้าวซอย)
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A Northern Thailand specialty, Khao Soi is a rich curry noodle soup topped with crispy noodles, pickled mustard, and lime. Chiang Mai travelers swear by it.
9. Mango Sticky Rice (ข้าวเหนียวมะม่วง)
A beloved Thai dessert, Khao Niew Mamuang combines sweet mango slices with coconut-creamy sticky rice. Simple, fragrant, and irresistible.
10. Boat Noodles (ก๋วยเตี๋ยวเรือ)
Served in small bowls, Boat Noodles pack intense flavors of spiced broth, pork or beef, herbs, and crispy pork rinds. A true Bangkok classic, especially around Victory Monument.
