Thai street food culture is like no other. Whether you’re by a busy Bangkok throughfare or on a sand-covered path in Phuket, you’ll find someone selling dishes that have no right to be as good as they are. Even with all its amazing natural scenescapes and cultural gems, food will be a highlight of anyone’s trips to Thailand.
Of course, this delicious facet of their culture is aided by the fact that many of the best dishes in Thailand lend themselves well to street food environments, thus allowing any talented cook to set up a little stall and spread the unique joy that comes alongside a tasty meal. And, while we love classics like Pad Thai, there’s so much more of this country’s wide culinary landscape to explore .
If you’re visiting the Southeast Asian nation and want to know what Thai street food is a must eat, then you’re in the right place. We’ve had the absolute pleasure of munching our way through the country and have used that unforgettable experience to come up with the best street food dishes to try on your trip to Thailand!
1. Khao soi
This moreish noodle soup dish is seen more often in the North of Thailand than other regions, but if you do get the chance to indulge in it, you must.
Like many dishes, coconut milk and spices form the basis of the delicious broth, but what makes Khao Soi unique is the fact that deep fried noodles add a satisfying crunch to each bite.
The north of the country is one of the best places to visit in Thailand for a number of reasons, and for us Khao Soi ranks pretty high on that list.
2. Som tam (green papaya salad)
One of the best things to do in Thailand is to lounge on the bone-white beaches and take in the picture-perfect scenery. And nothing tops off this idyllic scene as well as a refreshing (but with a kick) Som tam, or Green papaya salad.
Sweet and sour, hot and refreshing, crunchy and soft: this is a dish of opposites that blend together to make for an addictive combination. Unripened green papaya is the base of the salad, but it’s the uniquely flavoured dressing that makes this Thai street food classic hit the spot. While it is best enjoyed on the beach, that doesn’t mean you can’t indulge elsewhere.
3. Pad kee mow (drunken noodles)
Some believe this Thai street food dish is named as such because they’re the perfect post-beer snack, whereas others argue it’s because the spice can shake you out of any hangover. All we know is that they’re delicious, whether enjoyed after a few beverages or while completely sober.
Generally broader noodles are used in this dish, which utilises a lot of Thailand’s favourite ingredients like holy basil and soy sauce. The combination of satisfyingly thick noodle and umami will hit the spot, no matter what you’ve spent the night doing!
4. Pork satay
Thai street food is impressively complex when you take into account the bare bones equipment available, but sometimes simplicity is key. No Thai street food favourite makes this more obvious than Pork satay.
The meat is marinated in a mixture of soy sauce, lemongrass, shallots, and a few other staples, before being grilled until a char appears. It’s served with an addictive coconut and peanut dip, which could easily be eaten alone.
5. Khao niao mamuang (mango and sticky rice)
When you think of Thai street food, your mind might wander to thoughts of smoky woks and spiced broths, but some of the best dishes you can find from food stalls are quite the opposite. Kaho niao mamuang, or Mango with sticky rice, is one such dish, and is a staple for locals all over the country.
Glutinous rice is cooked and placed alongside ripened mango, then covered in coconut milk, delivering a rice-pudding-esque dish with Thai flavours. Perfect for those hot days on the islands in Thailand, or after a particularly spicy meal.
6. Pad see ew
It’s hard to go wrong with stir-fried noodle dishes, and Pad see ew is one of the best of the bunch. Similar to Pad Thai but with thicker noodles and more of an emphasis on an umami, soy sauce-based flavour, this Thai street food staple will blow your mind despite its seemingly simple construction.
7. Congee / Jok (rice pudding)
Thai street food isn’t just for lunch and dinner, but any time of the day. And nothing proves this more than Jok, a Thai breakfast staple. It’s a savoury rice porridge that’s flavoured differently depending on what you want, or how each particular vendor decides to make it.
Usually, you’ll be delighted by the taste of shallots, garlic, dried shrimp, and a fried egg to top it all off. But the main event is the rice, so you can customise your Jok until it’s your ideal breakfast meal.
8. Tom yum noodle soup
Fiery and addictive, the Tom Yum is a firm favourite all across Thailand. If you’re not great with spice, don’t be afraid to try it: you can ask for heat to be turned down in most places.
A thick, delicious, sour broth makes up the bulk of this dish. The classic is cooked with shrimps for extra flavour, but there are chicken and coconut-inspired stocks too, as well as a number of other different flavourings. This dish will hit all of your tastebuds, and they’ll thank you for it.
9. Pad kra pao
Holy basil is the heart and soul of this simple stir-fried dish that you can find at Thai street food stalls all over the country. Pork, beef, or chicken is fried alongside the basil in a sauce that consists of soy sauce, fish sauce, garlic, chilli, and sugar. Often some vegetables are added, and it’s usually eaten with rice.
It might be easy to make, but this meal is hard to forget. A perfect example of why Thai street food dishes are so beloved.
10. Moo ping (pork skewers)
Similar to satay but with more of a subtle flavouring, this uncomplicated dish relies on a sweet and salty marinade that imparts a great flavour on the meat before it’s grilled to perfection. More of a Thai street food snack than a full meal, they’re great to munch on while wandering around a night market.
11. Fried bananas
Another self-explanatory one, this delicious sweet treat can be found all over Thailand, and is often served alongside condensed milk or thickened coconut milk. One of the most popular Thai street food dishes and, thankfully, one of the easiest to replicate at home.
