The 12+1 Best Popular Thai Dishes You Should Try
Thai food is very popular and a true gastronomic adventure. It’s like a children’s amusement park with a little difference, apart from making you happy, it will leave your stomach full.
Speaking of Thai dishes and gastronomy, we are talking about a cuisine rich in nuances and well-defined flavors that everyone should try at least once in their life.
This is because all popular Thai dishes are capable of perfectly combining the 5 basic flavors (salty, sweet, bitter, sour, and umami) giving each dish a unique experience of its kind with its perfectly balanced mixtures.
What is the best Thai food I cannot miss?
We strongly recommend trying a little of everything; even so, we wrote this post to create a simple and light introduction to the 12+1 popular Thai dishes we recommend, and that you absolutely have to try.
To make it easier to recognize the most popular Thai dishes,in every point we will write the food name in English and its pronunciation in Thai, so you won’t have any problems when ordering the food, enjoy it!
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Papaya salad (Som tum) – popular thai dishes
We start with one of the most popular Thai dishes that we like the most of the Thai cuisine, Som Tum, or sometimes Tam, which is the rich and crunchy green papaya salad.
The combination of all the basic flavors makes this salad a popular and refreshing Thai dish, especially in hot weather. There are many variations and accompaniments (such as crab or fish) but the key ingredients are papaya, lime juice, garlic, green beans, tomato, palm sugar, chili and fish sauce.
We have two recommendations before enjoying this magnificent salad: Tell the Chef if you are a vegetarian, because shrimp paste, dried shrimp and fish sauce are often added to the salad.
Another recommendation is that you should be careful with the level of spiciness (chilis) that they add to this popular Thai dish. Its acid sauce raises the level of spiciness, and if you are not used to it, we assure you that this delight becomes a real bomb for your mouth (we still remember the times when we have cried).
Crispy fried chicken salad (Gai sabb) – popular thai dishes
The first time we tried this salad was in a beach bar on Phi Phi Don island and it turned out to be our popular Thai dish. Although not as popular as papaya salad, this Thai food is classic, simple and incredibly delicious.
The dressing is very similar to papaya salad with lime juice, fish sauce, sugar, and chili, but the texture is very different. The mixture of cut fried chicken, the crushed toasted rice, the peanuts, the shallot in thin strips, plus cucumber and cilantro make this salad one of the tastiest salads in Thai cuisine.
This Thai dish can be enjoyed as is, but we recommend you to eat it with rice to make your lunch or dinner more satisfying and to take advantage of the rich dressing.
Betel leaf-wrapped bites (Miang Kham)– popular thai dishes
An amazing Thai street food that you absolutely must try on your trip to Thailand. During our trip to Thailand we have had the opportunity to try these snacks for the first time in Chiang Mai, and from there every time we have seen it on the menu we have ordered them.
The Miang Kham is a popular Thai dish and at the same time fun, because normally you prepare it yourself. The leaves used for this preparation are the cha-phlu (betel) leaves, which tend to have a crunchy texture and they are somewhat bitter and astringent.
The filling typically includes a mix of fresh herbs, such as coriander, thai basil, and mint, as well as ingredients such as shredded coconut, chopped peanuts, diced shallots, lime juice, chili, dried prawns, and palm sugar.
These bites can be eaten closed, in the form of packets, or also open, and they are one of the most popular appetizers at Thai parties. The set is a mix of flavors that is sure to impress and excite the street food lovers and everyone who tries it.
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Masaman Curry – popular thai dishes
A complete and super tasty Thai dish that we could not forget. The mix of Thai ingredients with a touch of spice mix from the Middle East makes this Thai food one of the most appreciated dishes by tourists.
Massaman curry is a delicious and flavorful Thai dish that is always made with a main protein (meat, fish or tofu) that is simmered in a creamy curry sauce. The base of this sauce is seasoned with tamarind juice and fish sauce, which gives it a savory and savory taste.
The use of spices, such as cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, coriander and nutmeg, gives this Thai dish complexity and many, many nuances.
Massaman curry is known for its complex and fragrant flavor and is considered one of the mildest Thai curries.
Coconut milk soup with chicken and crispy noodles (Khao Soy) – popular thai dishesa
Khao Soy is a typical dish from the North of Thailand and Laos (Isan region) that is not only part of this list, but it’s also one of our top 3 of the most popular dishes in Thailand.
The creamy, aromatic coconut milk-based sauce, seasoned with a blend of spices like turmeric, cumin, and coriander, gives this dish its complex, warm, and satisfying flavor.
Slow-cooked tender chicken (or sometimes beef) is accompanied by noodles in two textures. Regular noodles add substance to the dish, while the characteristic crispy noodles provide a satisfying crunch and help balance out the richness of this amazing Thai dish.
It is often accompanied with fresh coriander, pickled mustard greens, chili powder and sliced shallots, which add the last layers of flavors to make this Thai food a true wonder.
Enjoying eating Khao Soy is an understatement, it is a culinary experience that every human being should try once in their life.
Panang Curry – popular thai dishes
Panang curry is one of the most popular Thai dishes. It’s similar to other curries for having a coconut milk base, but totally different in nuances and flavors.
Like all curries in Thai cuisine (and other dishes as well), the use of protein can be at the discretion of the diner, such as meat, fish, or tofu. Instead, the main ingredients of this sauce are usually always the same, which makes it such a special curry.
The creamy coconut milk base is flavored with garlic, lime leaves, kefir, lemongrass, black pepper, chili, and other spices. Palm sugar, fish sauce, and lime juice are also added to season and give depth of flavor to this incredible Thai dish, which balances the spiciness and gives it its classic salty and slightly sweet Thai flavor.
One of the characteristics of Panang Curry is the use of peanuts, which gives the sauce a very peculiar creamy texture. Naturally, the dish is usually served on a bed of steamed jasmine rice, which helps to flavor the rich sauce and also makes the meal more filling.
Stir-fried rice noodles (Pad thai)
Pad Thai is probably the most popular Thai dish among tourists and the best-known outside of Thailand.
Pad Thai is a popular Thai dish that is loved by foodies for its savory and satisfying taste.
This stir-fried noodle dish is composed (in its original version) of thin rice noodles stir-fried in a wok, with a mixture of proteins and vegetables. The main ingredients are usually shrimp, chicken, or tofu, plus eggs, bean sprouts, and peanuts are also added.
This Thai dish is seasoned with a sauce made from a mixture of other sauces and ingredients, such as fish sauce, tamarind paste, palm sugar, and chili peppers, which give it its sweet and salty flavor.
Being quite sweet a lot of the time (Thais love sweet) we prefer Pad Thai with soy sauce that gives it a tastier touch and a rich combination of flavors.
Rice with minced meat and Thai basil (Pad Kra Pao)– popular thai dishes
Pad Kra Pao is probably the most popular dish among locals for these four simple reasons: it is cheap, filling, delicious, and highly addictive.
The steamed jasmine rice is accompanied by a stir-fry of chopped meat, (usually almost minced at the moment with a knife) that is accompanied by fresh chilies, garlic, and aromatic Thai basil leaves that give it its characteristic flavor. This popular Thai dish is often served with a fried egg on top to make this dish a complete meal.
The meat is seasoned with a sauce, which is none other than a mixture of three other sauces, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and fish sauce, which give the dish its umami-rich flavor.
Personally, we think that another of the reasons why Pad Kra Pao is so appreciated and consumed is its quick and easy preparation. This factor together with its powerful and delicious taste makes this typical Thai food a dish that you absolutely cannot miss!
Fried rice (Khao Pad)– popular thai dishes
Another of the most popular and appreciated dishes of Thai cuisine for its simplicity and taste is fried rice, a super classic that even the most skeptical and picky eaters eat.
The dish is prepared by sautéing cooked rice (better the day before) with vegetables such as cabbage and carrots, among others, and also the unbeatable broken fried egg.
Normally, a protein of the diner’s free choice is usually added. On some occasions, chopped spring onion, fish sauce and the secret ingredient, a good pinch of monosodium glutamate, are added at the end to enhance the flavor and give it that irresistible taste (the infallible trick of the great-great-great-grandmother of Thailand passed down from generation to generation).
To define it as an authentic Thai dish it is accompanied by a lime wedge and a mix made with fish sauce and chili.
Either the Khao Pad or the Pad Kra Pao have been the comfort food dishes on our 4 and a half-month trip to Thailand, simply because they have it all.
Cellophone Noodles with steamed Crab ( Somsak Pu Ob ) – popular thai dishes
The first time we tried this delicacy of Thai cuisine, it was in the capital of the country, Bangkok. It must be said that we were totally surprised by how rich this dish was.
Somsak Pu Ob, also known in English as Crab Glass Noodles, is a dish that showcases the best of Thai cuisine and its bold flavors.
The crab that is typically used in this dish is blue crab, which has a sweet and delicate flavor. This precious seafood combines perfectly with the seasoned sauce that accompanies it and the texture of the glass noodles.
The sauce is made with a mixture of oyster sauce, soy sauce, sugar, chili paste, and various spices, which give this popular Thai dish not only its sweet and salty flavor, but its unique and incredible nuances.
When this dish is served, it is usually presented on a metal casserole where the sauce and seafood stay hot and steaming throughout the meal.
Needless to say, if you are one who is looking for an elevated dining experience, Somsak Pu Ob is a dish that you absolutely have to try.
Chicken Stir Fry with Cashews (Gai Pad Med Mamuang) – popular thai dishes
The Thai cashew chicken stir fry is one of the most popular Thai food dishes that you can easily find in any restaurant in the country.
Its combination of ingredients are tender chicken, cashews, and crunchy sautéed vegetables (onion, peppers, and carrots), deliciously mixed with a thick and flavorful sauce.
This dish is part of the basic recipe book of Thai cuisine and is loved for its delicious combination of sweet, salty, and slightly spicy flavors.
The final result is a delicious and aromatic dish that, accompanied by a good portion of rice, fills and satisfies.
In conclusion, Cashew Chicken Stir Fry is a delicious and versatile dish that is perfect for anyone looking to try something different and delicious without being totally fancy.
Mango sticky rice ( Khao Niao Mamuang) – popular thai dishes
Also known as Mango Sticky Rice, Khao Niao Mamuang is undoubtedly the most popular Thai dessert in the world, and probably the most loved for that reason as well.
The glutinous rice used in this dish is cooked in a mixture of coconut milk and sugar, giving it a rich sweet flavor and creamy texture.
On the other hand, the mangoes that are typically used are ripe and juicy, providing a sweet and tart contrast. This rich fruit contrasts with the sweetness and creaminess of the rice, achieving a perfect mix of flavors.
It is often served with crunchy mung seed, to give it a crunch and add wow effect to each bite.
For lovers of sweets who are looking for a unique and delicious dessert, mango sticky rice is the mandatory option to enjoy something delicious.
Coconut pancake (Khanom Ba Bin) – comida tailandesa
Grilled coconut pancake, also known as “Khanom Ba Bin”, is one of the classic Thai street food desserts that is very popular especially in Bangkok.
The batter for this pancake is the jewel in the crown, because it gives the dish its distinctive flavor and unmistakable texture.
This dough is made with few ingredients, coconut milk, flour, sugar and eggs. Once the base is ready, it is grilled over high heat until crispy on the outside and cooked and chewy on the inside.
Coconut pancakes are cheap, easy to make and can also be tasted in different flavors as they are easily customizable.
For example, you can add different flavors to the batter, such as pandan leaves or shredded coconut, to give this dessert a unique twist with different shades.
As we said before, this dessert is a very popular street food in Bangkok, even so, it will not be difficult for you to find them in the street markets of other towns and cities.
Key recommendations for savoring Thai cuisine – popular thai dishes
- Thais are super exaggerated with spiciness, their tolerance level is very high.
- According to Thai palates, a non-spicy dish is not delicious, so they will always serve you a spicy dish.
- If you don’t like spicy food or you can’t tolerate it, remember to always say “no spicy”.
- If you like spicy it is better to say a little spicy, you can always add more spicy if necessary.
- In the South of Thailand they eat more spicy food than in the North, and probably much more than in the capital Bangkok (don’t ask us why ah ah).
- Thai food in general has a lot of added sugars, keep that in mind.
- If you are allergic to something (like shellfish or prawns) you should be more careful when ordering Thai food. Find the words in your language to which you are allergic, remember that Thai dishes are rich in sauces and ingredients that are part of the category of ingredients that create allergies.
Conclusions – popular thai dishes
We have reached the final part of this post and we don’t know about you, but reading everything again has made us hungry and very eager to eat all popular Thai dishes again.
It has been very difficult to choose only 13 dishes of Thai cuisine since during our trip we tried many more, equally delicious dishes, but we had to set a limit, otherwise, we would never stop writing ahahah.
Probably, given the number of dishes that Thai cuisine offers one day, we will have to do version 2.0 of this article. In fact, if you want to give us some suggestions or names of dishes that you liked and that are not on this list, you are totally free to write to us in the comments or via email.
I hope you enjoy your stay in Thailand and all the dishes that we have listed for you. The country of smiles awaits you with open arms, and your stomach is the most privileged in all of this.
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