When it comes to street food, Thailand will make the list due to its wide variety of choices for street food that would test your tastebuds and stomach while satisfying the cravings of any foodie. No visit in Thailand is complete if you have not tried any of their street food and it is also hard to miss as they are everywhere you go and it would be a crime to not stop and buy some food to munch on.
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Aside from its mesmerizing taste, street food in Thailand is affordable and accessible almost in every corner of the country. You will see different stalls packed with locals just filling their hunger with the scrumptious bowls of warm noodles, or enjoying a plate of Thai classic dishes. Throughout the day, there will most definitely be food that you can choose as the locals love eating any time of the day.
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To help you on your venture for some of the best Thai street food, we have compiled a list of the top 10 most famous Thai street food that you can look back on your trip to Thailand.
1. Pad Thai
The most popular stir-fried noodle dish from Thailand, Pad Thai. This is usually the best dish to start for people who want to get a taste of Thai street food. It remains to be a popular dish for tourists and you can order this in any restaurant in Thailand. This dish is made with rice noodles with a mixture of different vegetables and protein such as pork, chicken, seafood, and tofu for vegetarians.
2. Pad Kra Pao Moo (Stir-Fried Pork with Basil)
Pad Kra Pao Moo is another classic Thai street food dish that you can order everywhere. The dish contains either pork or chicken that is stir-fried with Thai basil, chilis, and garlic. For those who don’t eat too much spice, inform the vendor before they start cooking the dish. To make this dish superb, ask your vendor to add some Khai Dao (fried egg) which will make this dish even more delicious.
3. Pad See Ew
Another classic Thai stir-fried noodles dish is Pad See Ew which uses rice noodles along with some Chinese broccoli, garlic, and protein such as pork and chicken. The dish itself is not spicy and is also a beloved classic dish by the locals due to its delish flavors and quick cooking time.
4. Khao Mun Gai (Chicken with Rice)
Next on our list is the Khao Mun Gai, which is the Thai version of Hainanese-style Chicken. This dish can be eaten any time of the day and you can easily identify a stall that sells Khao Mun Gai if you see a whole steamed chicken hanging in the stall, if yes, then they are selling Khao Mun Gai. You are given two options when ordering, they have the steamed and the fried chicken, some would order both.
5. Som Tum (Papaya Salad)
Thai food is known for its refreshing yet spicy salads and the most well-known one is Som Tum, which is papaya salad originating in the Isaan area (Northeast region). Any food stalls in Thailand that have a big mortar and pestle, will be selling Som Tum. Som tum contains unripe papaya, green beans, tomato, dried shrimps, chilis, and peanuts. If you want more kick, you can let the seller know to add more chilis but be careful tho, as the spice might be more than you expected.
6. Khao Kha Moo (Stewed Pork with Rice)
Khao Kha Moo is another favorite classic Thai dish of the locals and is also considered as a portion of comfort food for them. It is a stewed pork leg to the point where the meat falls off the bone easily. A plate consists of the slices of the stewed pork leg, hard-boiled egg, pickled mustard green, and blanched kale. The rice is also drenched with the stew’s flavorful juice and some pickled vinegar on the side.
7. Kuay Teow (Thai Noodles Soup)
Noodle dishes are a favorite dish that Thai people like to eat at any time of the day and the most popular noodle dish is Kuay Teow. Kuay teow is a noodle dish that can be added with any kind of meat such as pork, chicken, beef, chicken, and even fish. The bowl of noodles will also come with the meatballs and you can also add vegetables such as bean sprout, basil, coriander, and spring onion. The locals love this dish so much that they would eat kuay teow even on a bright and sunny day.
8. Kai Jeow (Thai Omelette)
Kai Jeow is a Thai omelet served over some rice. We also think that this is probably the least expensive dish that we have on this list. Kai Jeow has a fluffy texture and the outside is crispy. They put some chilis and fish sauce in the omelet mixture and are fried until they are golden. You will be given some chili sauce or ketchup to add to your omelet for that sweet, and savory taste.
9. Massaman Curry
Thai cuisine has different kinds of curry and each has a distinct flavor that makes them stand out. One of the most popular curries is Massaman Curry, which is a peanut-based curry that includes chicken, and potatoes. The flavor is mild, peanut-y, and is perfectly paired with a plate of rice. This dish is also a great first curry dish to try if you want to venture out for the spicier types of Thai curries.
10. Khao Moo Daeng (BBQ Pork with Rice)
If you are unsure of what to eat while traveling around Thailand, you can order yourself a plate of Khao Moo Daeng. Khao Moo Daeng is a dish consisting of slices of barbecued pork, hard-boiled eggs, scallion, cucumbers, and pieces of Thai sausage. You can also add some crispy pork if you would like that extra crunch with each bite. They will also drench your rice with some sweet and savory gravy sauce.
These are just some of the classic Thai street food dishes that you can try on your next visit to Thailand. These dishes are proven to be a good dish to try that is loved by the locals and especially if you have not tried any Thai dishes. Save this post for your next food trip to Thailand and explore the gastronomic world of Thai cuisine.
