20 Must-Try Thai Dishes for Every Food Lover
The first time I had real Thai food, it blew my mind. Sweet, spicy, sour, and savory—all in one bite? I had never tasted anything like it. Every dish felt like an ideal balance of bold flavors, crafted with care and tradition.
From sizzling street food to fragrant curries, Thailand’s cuisine is pure magic. Every meal tells a story, shaped by generations of cooks who know how to make simple ingredients shine.
These 20 must-try Thai dishes will take you on a flavor-packed journey. Get ready to crave them forever.
1. Pad Thai
A beloved staple of Thai cuisine, Pad Thai is a stir-fried noodle dish that offers a harmonious blend of sweet, salty, and tangy flavors. Its popularity has soared globally, yet authentic Pad Thai remains a culinary masterpiece found on the streets of Thailand.
Made with rice noodles, shrimp, tofu, eggs, and bean sprouts, this dish is typically garnished with crushed peanuts and a wedge of lime. The magic of Pad Thai lies in its sauce—a mix of tamarind paste, fish sauce, and palm sugar, creating a taste sensation that dances across your palate.
2. Tom Yum Goong
Tom Yum Goong is Thailand’s renowned hot and sour soup, celebrated for its bold, aromatic flavors. This iconic dish features succulent shrimp, mushrooms, and a broth infused with lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and galangal, giving it a distinctive herbal kick.
The soup’s fiery edge comes from bird’s eye chilies, balanced by the sour tang of lime juice and the sweetness of fresh tomatoes. Tom Yum Goong is typically garnished with fresh cilantro, adding a vibrant color and refreshing taste.
3. Green Curry
Gaeng Kiew Wan, also known as ‘green curry,’ is a smooth, creamy dish that packs a punch of flavor. Known for its vibrant green hue, this curry is made with a paste of green chilies, garlic, lemongrass, and kaffir lime.
The dish usually contains tender chunks of chicken or beef, simmered with eggplant, bamboo shoots, and aromatic basil leaves in a rich coconut milk sauce. Its spicy, sweet, and slightly bitter taste reflects the complexity and depth of Thai culinary traditions.
4. Som Tam
A quintessential Thai salad, Som Tam is a spicy, tangy delight made from shredded green papaya. Known for its crunchy texture and explosive flavor, it’s a dish that excites the taste buds with every bite.
Mixed with cherry tomatoes, green beans, peanuts, and dried shrimp, the salad is tossed in a dressing of lime juice, fish sauce, and chilies. This combination creates the best balance of spicy, sour, and sweet flavors. It is a common feature of Thai street food culture and is best enjoyed fresh from a local vendor.
5. Massaman Curry
Massaman Curry is a fragrant, mild curry that reflects the influence of Indian and Malay cuisines on Thai food. Its unique flavor comes from a blend of spices such as cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom, mixed with tamarind and coconut milk.
The curry is typically made with beef or chicken and includes potatoes and peanuts, adding richness and texture. Massaman Curry’s savory sweetness and nutty undertones make it a beloved dish for those who prefer a milder spice.
6. Khao Soi
This Northern Thai, known as Khao Soi, combines rich, creamy flavors with a delightful crunch. This dish features egg noodles swimming in a coconut curry broth, topped with crispy fried noodles for added texture.
Often made with chicken or beef, Khao Soi is seasoned with curry paste and garnished with lime, shallots, and pickled mustard greens. The interplay of ingredients creates a symphony of flavors—spicy, tangy, and savory.
7. Larb
Larb is a zesty, savory salad from Northeast Thailand, known for its bold flavors and refreshing ingredients. Typically made with minced chicken, pork, or beef, Larb features a mix of lime juice, fish sauce, and roasted rice powder.
The dish is further enhanced with fresh mint leaves and shallots, offering a combination of spicy, sour, and herbal notes. Traditionally served with lettuce leaves, Larb can be wrapped and eaten as a flavorful bite-sized snack.
8. Moo Ping
A popular street food delicacy, Moo Ping consists of tender, marinated pork skewers grilled over charcoal. These skewers are known for their smoky sweetness, achieved through a marinade of garlic, coriander root, and soy sauce.
The grilling process caramelizes the marinade, creating a delectable glaze that enhances the pork’s natural flavors. Moo Ping is often paired with sticky rice and a spicy dipping sauce, adding an extra layer of taste.
9. Pla Kapong Neung Manao
Pla Kapong Neung Manao is a classic Thai dish featuring steamed barramundi or sea bass, renowned for its fresh, clean flavors. The fish is steamed and topped with a zesty sauce made from lime juice, garlic, and chili.
Typically garnished with cilantro and lime slices, enhances its vibrant presentation and refreshing taste. Pla Kapong Neung Manao is a popular choice in coastal Thai restaurants, where fresh seafood is a staple.
10. Pad Kee Mao
Known as “Drunken Noodles,” Pad Kee Mao is a spicy, aromatic delight favored by Thai food enthusiasts. This stir-fried dish features wide rice noodles, vegetables, and your choice of protein, such as chicken or seafood.
The secret to its intense flavor lies in the combination of holy basil, garlic, and bird’s eye chilies, creating a dish that’s both intoxicating and invigorating. Pad Kee Mao’s bold flavors make it a popular late-night snack among locals.
11. Kai Jeow
Kai Jeow is a humble yet satisfying Thai omelette, often enjoyed as a quick meal or snack. Made with eggs, fish sauce, and a splash of lime juice, this omelette is fluffy, crispy, and full of flavor.
Unlike Western omelettes, Kai Jeow is deep-fried, giving it a unique texture and golden-brown appearance. It is typically garnished with herbs like cilantro and served with steamed rice and a spicy chili sauce for dipping.
12. Panang Curry
Known for its rich, Panang Curry creamy texture and sweet, nutty flavor, is a favorite among Thai curry lovers. Made with a thick red curry paste, it includes ingredients like kaffir lime leaves and coconut milk.
This curry is often cooked with beef, though chicken and tofu are popular alternatives, providing a tender, melt-in-the-mouth experience. The dish is typically garnished with thinly sliced chilies and basil leaves, adding vibrancy and aroma.
13. Yam Talay
Yam Talay is a refreshing Thai seafood salad that showcases the bounty of the sea. This dish is a colorful medley of shrimp, squid, and mussels, tossed with onions, tomatoes, and fresh herbs.
The magic of Yam Talay lies in its dressing—a blend of lime juice, fish sauce, and chilies, which adds a punch of flavor and depth. Each bite is a delightful mix of tangy, spicy, and sweet tastes.
14. Pad See Ew
Pad See Ew is a beloved Thai noodle dish known for its savory, smoky flavors and satisfying texture. Made with wide rice noodles, this stir-fry typically includes Chinese broccoli, eggs, and a choice of protein like pork or chicken.
The key to Pad See Ew’s deliciousness is in the sauce—a mix of dark soy sauce and oyster sauce, which adds a rich umami flavor. The dish is often cooked over high heat, giving it a delightful smoky aroma.
15. Gang Jued
The mild, calming soup known as Gang Jued makes a pleasant contrast to Thailand’s more robust cuisine. This clear soup is made with tofu, glass noodles, and a variety of vegetables, creating a light yet nourishing meal.
The broth is typically flavored with a subtle blend of fish sauce, garlic, and pepper, allowing the natural sweetness of the vegetables to shine. Gang Jued is usually garnished with fresh herbs, adding a fragrant touch to its delicate taste.
16. Nam Tok
Nam Tok, meaning “waterfall” in Thai, is a grilled beef salad known for its juicy, vibrant flavors. This dish features tender slices of grilled beef, tossed with fresh mint, shallots, and a zesty lime dressing.
The salad is further enhanced by roasted rice powder, adding a nutty crunch that complements the meat’s richness. Nam Tok’s combination of spicy, sour, and savory notes makes it a favorite among Thai food enthusiasts.
17. Tom Kha Gai
Tom Kha Gai is a rich, aromatic soup that combines the creaminess of coconut milk with the sharpness of galangal and lemongrass. This dish features tender chicken pieces and mushrooms, creating a delightful balance of flavors.
The soup is seasoned with fish sauce, lime juice, and chilies, adding layers of spicy and tangy taste. Tom Kha Gai is often garnished with fresh cilantro, enhancing its vibrant appeal.
18. Sticky Rice with Mango
A quintessential Thai dessert, Sticky Rice with Mango offers a delightful combination of textures and flavors. This dish features glutinous rice, cooked with coconut milk to create a sweet, sticky base.
Ripe, juicy mango slices are artfully arranged on top, providing a refreshing contrast to the rich rice. The dish is often garnished with sesame seeds or mung beans.
19. Gaeng Daeng
Red Curry or Gaeng Daeng is a vibrant and fragrant Thai dish that showcases the bold flavors of red curry paste. Made with coconut milk, this curry features tender pieces of chicken or tofu, creating a rich, creamy base.
The dish is often adorned with basil leaves and sliced red chilies, adding both color and spice. Gaeng Daeng’s harmonious blend of hot, sweet, and savory flavors makes it a favorite among curry enthusiasts.
20. Pad Prik King
Pad Prik King is a dry red curry that offers a fiery taste, combining aromatic red curry paste with crispy green beans and succulent pork slices. This dish is renowned for its robust flavors, achieved through the harmonious blend of herbs and spices that infuse the meat with a delightful heat.
The absence of coconut milk allows the spices to shine, making Pad Prik King a favorite for those who enjoy a bit of spice. It’s often served with a generous sprinkling of kaffir lime leaves, adding a refreshing note to the dish.