Hungry for More? Check out Amazing Thai Street Foods!

Street food in Thailand is a flavorful journey that offers an authentic glimpse into the country's rich culinary culture. With a wide variety of dishes to choose from, every turn and corner presents an opportunity for food lovers to discover something new and exciting. Sweet, sour, salty or spicy - each dish is a delightful explosion of flavors that truly embodies the spirit of Thai cuisine. So if you're planning a visit or just curious about what Thailand has to offer, read on! We've rounded up some must-try street foods that will surely make your taste buds sing with joy.

Must-Try Street Foods

1. Pad Thai (Stir-Fried Rice Noodles)

   

   Pad Thai is a famous street food dish from Thailand known for its rich flavors and unique ingredients. It consists of stir-fried rice noodles with tofu, eggs, spices, and often includes meat or seafood like shrimp or crab. This delicious meal represents Thai culture and is loved by locals as well as tourists worldwide.

2. Pad See Ew (Stir-Fried Wide Rice Noodles)

   

   Pad See Ew is another popular Thai dish made with wide rice noodles, stir-fried with soy sauce and a choice of meat or tofu. The dish is usually accompanied by broccoli or cabbage, providing a mild yet flavorful taste. For those who prefer more spice, vinegar or chili flakes can be added to enhance the flavor.

3. Gai Tod (Thai Fried Chicken)

   

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   Gai Tod is a popular Thai version of fried chicken, marinated in rice flour and spices before being deep-fried. It's often served with a spicy chilli paste or dipping sauce for an added kick. This flavorful dish is commonly enjoyed as street food in Thailand, typically accompanied by sticky rice.

4. Guay Tiew (Noodle Soup)

   

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   Guay Tiew is a popular noodle soup dish in local cuisine, often made with chicken, beef, or pork and either rice noodles or egg noodles. Some versions include meatballs or wontons for added flavor. The robust broth is loved by many and traditionally simmered for hours with pork bones, spices, and aromatic herbs.

5. Som Tam (Green Papaya Salad)

   

   Som Tam is a popular Thai salad made from unripe green papaya, chillies, dried shrimps, green beans, peanuts and tomatoes. The dish is known for its unique blend of spicy, sour, sweet and salty flavors. The combination of the fresh crispiness of the green papaya with the heat from chillies and tangy lime creates a refreshing taste while fish sauce and garlic add depth to the flavor profile.

6. Pad Kra Pao (Basil Stir Fry)

   

   Pad Kra Pao features stir-fried meat with holy basil and garlic. It's traditionally served with rice and can be topped with fried eggs, while its flavor is enhanced by soy sauce, fish sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, and bird's eye chili. However, if you're not a fan of spicy food, you can request the cook to make it less spicy for you.

7. Moo Ping (Grilled Pork Skewers)

   

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   Moo Ping is a popular street food in Thailand that can be enjoyed any time of the day. It consists of pork slices skewered and marinated in a mixture of sweet and savory sauces, with garlic and white pepper adding some spice. Street vendors typically start selling Moo Ping from early morning till late morning.

8. Khao Neeo Mumuang (Sticky Rice With Mango)

   

   Mango sticky rice is a popular Thai dessert made with sweet, ripe mangoes and glutinous rice cooked in coconut milk. The dish has a soft texture and mild sweetness from the coconut milk that enhances the natural sweetness of the mangoes. This beloved treat can be enjoyed all year round in Thailand.

9. Poh Pia Tod (Spring Rolls)

   

   Poh Pia Tod is known in the West as spring rolls. They are typically made from rice or wheat paper filled with meats like chicken, pork, and beef along with vegetables such as mung beans, Asian cabbage, carrot, and spring onion. The filling often includes garlic and soy sauce for flavoring before they're rolled up into small cylinders and deep-fried.il atmosphere while uncovering the remnants of the Sukhothai Kingdom.

10. Malang Tod (Fried Insects)

    

    Malang Tod is a unique Thai dish that includes fried insects like crickets, beetles, and grasshoppers. These insects are seasoned with salt, pepper, chilies, and kaffir lime then served with soy or fish sauce. This snack is not only nutritious due to its high protein content but also offers an interesting mix of nutty, salty and crunchy flavors.

11. Hoi Tod

    

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    Hoi Tod is made by frying mussels, bean sprouts, and an omelet together. It's often served on a hot plate with flavorful additions of cilantro and pepper. To enhance the taste, it comes with fish sauce, tomato sauce and chilli sauce.

12. Sai Krok Isan (Thai Sausage)

    

    Sai Krok Isan is a fermented sausage made with pork and rice from northeastern Thailand. It's usually eaten as a snack and paired with crunchy cabbage, peanuts, Birds Eye chilis, and ginger. The sausage can also be served with sticky rice and comes in both wrapped and sliced forms.

13. Coconut Ice Cream

    

    Thai Coconut Ice Cream is a delightful treat made with coconut milk, coconut water, palm sugar and pandan leaf. This dairy-free dessert offers a pure and authentic taste of Thailand's tropical flavors. Served in a coconut shell with roasted nuts on top, it provides refreshing relief from the country's hot climate.

14. Jok (Rice Porridge)

    

    Jok is a comforting rice porridge often eaten for breakfast in Thailand. It typically contains pork and is served with a soft-boiled egg, ginger, and onions on top. This delicious dish can be customized with various toppings depending on your taste preference.

15. Kluay Tod (Banana Fritters)

    

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    Kluay Tod are fried bananas that have been dipped in a batter of coconut and sesame seeds. They're crispy on the outside, but soft and creamy inside. This makes them an enjoyable quick snack or dessert, particularly popular amongst children.

Tips for Enjoying Thai Street Food

• Carry small change in Thai Baht as vendors often can't break large notes.

• Be prepared for extremely spicy dishes if you choose "Thai spicy."

• Visit night markets like Asiatique in Bangkok, Sunday Walking Street in Chiang Mai, or the Chiang Rai Night Bazaar to find a wide variety of street food options.

• Try local specialties from each region such as Khao Soi in Chiang Mai, Khanom Jeen in the south and Isan-style BBQ in the northeast.

• Follow the locals’ recommendations- if a stall is busy it usually means its food is fresh and tasty.

• Don't be afraid to try new things - sample less common dishes like fried insects or grilled chicken feet.

• Pay attention to hygiene and safety by selecting vendors with clean stalls and high turnover rates which ensures freshness.

• Always use hand sanitizer before handling any food for cleanliness purposes, and consider using bleach-free wipes for utensils when necessary

• Use English or picture menus provided by most vendors to help make your order easier.

• Carry a food allergy card that lists any allergies you have both in Thai and English language if applicable .

• Customize your orders according to your preference; ask the cook not include something if you do not want it included on your plate

DID YOU KNOW?
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