There are range of typical dishes that are well-known also outside of Thailand, but they are of course best savored in local Thai restaurants:

Tom Yum Goong: A hot and sour soup featuring shrimp, mushrooms, tomatoes, lemongrass, galangal, and kaffir lime leaves.

Green Curry (Gaeng Keow Wan): Made with green chili paste, coconut milk, meat (like chicken or beef), eggplant, and basil. It’s aromatic and can range from mildly spicy to very hot.

Som Tam: A spicy green papaya salad that combines all five flavors with green papaya, chilies, garlic, lime juice, fish sauce, and peanuts.

Thai Drunken Noodles: Known as Pad Kee Mao (ผัดขี้เมา) in Thai, this is a popular street food dish characterized by its bold flavors and slightly spicy taste. The name "drunken noodles" is said to come from the idea that these spicy noodles could either cure a hangover or require a high level of spice tolerance that only a drunk person would not mind. However, there's no alcohol in the recipe itself.

Meals are typically shared, with several dishes served at once, allowing diners to enjoy a variety of flavors and textures. Rice, either jasmine or sticky (especially in the north and northeast), is a staple of every meal.

Thai desserts and beverages are as diverse and flavorful as the country's savory dishes, often characterized by the use of coconut, rice, tropical fruits, and a delicate balance of flavors. Well-known to many travelers are mango sticky rice and thai iced tea.

Mango sticky rice is a simple yet irresistible combination of sweet, ripe mangoes with glutinous sticky rice, all drizzled with a sweet coconut milk sauce.

Thai iced tea is a creamy, sweet, and refreshing beverage, often enjoyed in the hot climate of Thailand. It is distinctive for its orange color and mix of flavors.

Thai street food markets are culinary treasure troves. Vendors whip up everything from spicy soups and salads to grilled meats and sweet treats, all infused with the quintessential blend of spicy, sour, sweet, and salty flavors.

Why not try the famous dish Thai fried rice? This dish transforms simple ingredients into something extraordinary. Made with jasmine rice, Thai fried rice is stir-fried with a mix of proteins (such as chicken, shrimp, or tofu), egg, and vegetables, seasoned with soy sauce, garlic, and sometimes a hint of sugar.

What sets it apart is the use of thai basil and the option to add a spicy edge with fresh chilies. 

Discover the best dining spots in Bangkok with our reviews that cover a spectrum of cuisines, flavors, and atmospheres – and budgets!

Bangkok is a true food lover's paradise, where the ancient blends with the modern. The city's restaurant scene is a vibrant mix of traditional street food stalls, bustling markets, and high-end dining establishments. From the aromatic street food in Yaowarat (Chinatown) to innovative Thai cuisine in Sukhumvit, the city offers an eclectic range of dining experiences.

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