10 Thai food meals to try in Thailand
The food from the oriental land of Thailand is a confounding journey for a connoisseur while making a Thailand travel planner. The several attempts of culinary exploration in Thailand can often perplex even the most experienced tourists. Here is a guide to the best Thai drinks, snacks, and foods that you can try – rest assured that they will be lip smacking!
10 Thai food meals to try in Thailand:
Food in Thailand by Christopher Johnson
1. Cha Nom Yen – Iced Tea with Milk
The direct translation of cha nom yen is ‘tea milk cold’, which means iced tea with milk. It is milky and has an orange colour. It is made from Thai black tea mix with sweetened condensed milk and sugar and then poured over crushed ice. This is the most common drink available across the streets of Thailand in small carts and is loved by all.
Iced Tea with Milk, Thailand by stu_spivack
2. Pad Thai Noodles
Another world-famous dish besides Tom Yum Goong is Pad Thai Noodles. This is Thai-style noodles fried in a wok along with veggies, seafood, and egg. Thip Samai is the go-to restaurant in Bangkok for Pad Thai.
3. Thai Prawn Cracker
The prawn crackers are crispy snacks made using prawn and flour. A great snack at any time of the day, these are good accompaniments with a fish dish and rice. These crackers are very addictive and come in Hot Chili, Garlic and Pepper Paste. You can find them in any departmental store in Thailand.
4. Thai Banana Roti
The Thai roti is very different from roti (flat bread) served in other parts of the world. The dough is placed on the pan and is kept as thin as possible and the egg is poured on top along with a lot of bananas. Once the roti is cooked, it is folded into a thick square-shaped pocket, filled with chocolate or condensed milk. This is a moist and fluffy dish that melts in your mouth.
5. Khanom Bueang
These are quick crispy snack treats available on the streets of Thailand. Made with flour and rice cream, seasoned with shrimp or coconut, they can be sweet or salty. These pancakes resemble a taco and are so crispy that they will instantly crunch in your mouth leaving a sumptuous taste of the rice cream and coconut, making you want some more.
6. Gaeng Keow Wan Kai
Popularly known as the Thai Green Curry, is one of the dishes in Thailand that is coconut-milk-based. This green curry is very authentic and rich in basil and bamboo shoots. Thai Green Curry is best eaten with a bowl of fragrant Thai rice. Also vegetarian/vegan options are available all around Thailand. I had green curry with soy and rice for example at the Thavorn Beach Village & Spa hotel in Phuket.
Thai Chicken Green Curry, Thailand by Takahiro Yamagiwa
7. Laab Pla Duk
Laab Pla Duk is nothing but grilled and minced catfish salad. Catfish is the most commonly available fish in Thailand, fresh from the Thai Sea, and this is a great dish to try as you explore the Thai cuisine.
8. Tom Yum Goong
Tom Yum Goong – Spicy and Sour Shrimp soups – are among the top two Thai dishes that are famous worldwide. But no other place makes it better than P’Aor, the trendy restaurant in Bangkok. Make sure you visit this place to try the legendary soup.
9. Mango Sticky Rice
Coconut sticky rice is made to complement the mango that goes in the dish and this dessert is a kingdom of heaven in hand. It takes a lot of skill to master the recipe of mango sticky rice due to its challenge of making the rice sticky. The balance of taste between the mango, rice, and coconut milk, and the crunchy yellow dish is certainly a treat for a sweet tooth. This traditional Thai dessert is highly recommended to all the travellers.
Mango Sticky Rice, Thailand by Jonathan Lin
10. Kanom Krok
Kanom Krok is Thai coconut pudding. This dish is commonly available in the local street markets of Bangkok. It is a small, round coconut dessert poured over a mould and is cooked on a grill. They are not over-the-top sweet and are instead sweetened just right. Another advantage of this dessert is that it is handy and can be eaten on the go.
Besides these Thai food dishes, you can also try other experimental dishes when visiting Thai palaces, such as the oyster omelette, Yam Plah Duk Foo (crispy catfish salad), and Khao phat. If you are in the mood to be more adventurous, you can also explore this notorious fruit in Thailand called Durian. To some, this fruit smells like rotting socks and fermented garlic and onions, while to others, it smells like the best odour in the world. Make sure you include these suggestions in you Thailand trip.
