The 20 Most Important Thai Dishes

These dishes should be tried by every traveler to Thailand — sorted by category:

Soups

1. Tom Yum Goong (ต้มยำกุ้ง) — Thailand's most famous soup: sour-spicy shrimp soup with lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, and chili. Available clear (Nam Sai) or creamy (Nam Khon).
2. Tom Kha Gai (ต้มข่าไก่) — Coconut milk soup with chicken, galangal, and mushrooms. Milder than Tom Yum, velvety taste.
3. Khao Soi (ข้าวซอย) — Northern Thai curry noodle soup with soft and crispy egg noodles, chicken or beef. Authentic only in Northern Thailand.

Curries

4. Gaeng Keow Wan (แกงเขียวหวาน) — Green curry: coconut milk, green chili paste, Thai eggplants, basil. Sweeter and milder than expected.
5. Gaeng Phet (แกงเผ็ด) — Red curry: stronger and spicier than green, with red chilies, coconut milk, and often duck or pork.
6. Massaman (มัสมั่น) — Persian-inspired curry with potatoes, peanuts, cinnamon. The mildest Thai curry.
7. Panang (พะแนง) — Thick, rich curry with peanuts and kaffir lime leaves. Creamier than other curries.

Rice & Noodle Dishes

8. Pad Thai (ผัดไทย) — Fried rice noodles with egg, tofu, shrimp, peanuts, bean sprouts, lime. The national dish — but often disappointing in tourist areas; look for stalls that only make Pad Thai!
9. Pad Kra Pao (ผัดกระเพรา) — Minced pork or chicken with holy basil and chili, served over rice with a fried egg. THE quintessential Thai everyday dish.
10. Khao Pad (ข้าวผัด) — Fried rice. Simple, but in Thailand a work of art. With chicken, pork, shrimp, or crab.
11. Pad See Ew (ผัดซีอิ๊ว) — Wide rice noodles with dark soy sauce, broccoli, and meat. Thailand's comfort food.
12. Kuay Tiaw (ก๋วยเตี๋ยว) — Noodle soup: Choose noodles (thin, wide, egg), broth (clear, Tom Yum, stew), and meat (pork, beef, duck, fish balls). Thailand's breakfast.

Salads & Grilled Dishes

13. Som Tam (ส้มตำ) — Green papaya salad: shredded green papaya, tomatoes, peanuts, dried shrimp, lime, fish sauce, chili — pounded in a mortar. Beware: "Thai spicy" is serious!
14. Larb (ลาบ) — Minced meat salad with mint, coriander, shallots, lime, and roasted rice powder. Available with pork, chicken, duck, or fish.
15. Gai Yang (ไก่ย่าง) — Grilled chicken with herb marinade. Simple and perfect, often by the roadside.
16. Moo Ping (หมูปิ้ง) — Grilled pork skewers, sweetly marinated. The perfect snack — often available from 6 AM.

Desserts & Snacks

17. Mango Sticky Rice (ข้าวเหนียวมะม่วง) — Sticky rice with coconut milk and fresh mango. The most famous Thai dessert — only truly perfect during mango season (March–June).
18. Roti (โรตี) — Crispy flatbread with banana and condensed milk. From the south, but available everywhere.
19. Khanom Buang (ขนมเบื้อง) — Thai crêpes: wafer-thin, crispy shells with sweet or savory fillings.
20. Luk Chup (ลูกชุบ) — Miniature fruits and vegetables made from mung bean paste and coconut milk, coated with gelatin. Too beautiful to eat.