In Thailand, every meal is a distinct celebration of colour, aroma, and flavour. From the crowded streets of Bangkok to the tranquil markets of Chiang Mai in the north, nearly every corner presents an eatery waiting to be uncovered, beckoning food lovers to embark on an exciting gastronomic journey that never gets dull.

Here are 10 essential Thai dishes that will tantalise the taste buds and warm the soul, each a masterpiece in its own right – plus our recommendations for the best spots to savour them.

Pad Thai

Thailand’s signature street food dish, Pad Thai, comprises rice noodles stir-fried in a tangy tamarind-based sauce and paired with fish sauce, sugar, lime juice, and ground peanuts. Toppings typically include eggs, bean sprouts and tofu, as well as your choice of protein like shrimp or chicken, garnished with more crushed peanuts and fresh lime wedges. Thip Samai in Bangkok has been perfecting this dish since 1966 and even offers a crab variation.

Thip Samai Pad Thai
315, Maha Chai Rd, Samran Rat, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, Thailand
Opening hours: 9:00AM to 12:00AM daily (Closed on Tuesdays)

Khao Soi

This creamy coconut curry noodle soup is a Burmese-inspired northern Thai treasure, known for its crispy deep-fried egg noodles noodles, spicy coconut broth, and soft-cooked chicken, pork, or beef. Khao Soi Lam Duan, having been in operation for decades, offers some of the best renditions of this beloved dish in Chiang Mai.

Khao Soi Lam Duan
6, 1 Lampang – Chiang Mai Superhighway, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50300, Thailand
Opening hours: 8:30AM to 4:30PM daily

Khao Niao Mamuang (Mango Sticky Rice)

No Thai culinary adventure is complete without trying this dessert of fresh mango slices, served beside a bed of sticky rice drizzled with creamy coconut milk on top that is both sweet and savory at the same time. It is an all-time crowd pleaser for a definite reason, and Mae Varee, a Bangkok favourite, has been serving this iconic dessert for over 20 years. They only do takeaways and deliveries though!

Mae Varee
1, Thong Lo, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
Opening hours: 6:00AM to 10:00PM daily

Som Tum (Papaya Salad)

Probably one of Thailand’s best known salad dishes, Som Tum balances sweet, sour, and spicy flavours with shredded green papaya, tomatoes, peanuts, red chilies, lime juice, fish sauce, tamarind pulp, and palm sugar. This is usually topped with roasted peanuts and dried shrimp for an added crunch and umami. There are other regional variations that swap papaya for mango, and Somtum Der in Bangkok is particularly well-loved by locals.

Somtum Der
5, Sala Daeng Rd, Si Lom, Khet Bang Rak, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10500, Thailand
Opening hours: 11:00AM to 11:00PM daily

Tom Yum Goong

With its fiery and aromatic notes, Tom Yum Goong is a soul-soothing, appetising soup made with shrimp, lemongrass, lime leaves, chilli, and galangal. Although shrimp (Goong) is the most common main ingredient for Tom Yum, there are other variations that include mixed seafood, fish, pork or chicken. Pe Aor Tom Yum Kung Noodle in Bangkok serves up this dish with an assortment of seafood options, including shrimp.

Pe Aor Tom Yum Kung Noodle
68, 51 Phetchaburi Rd, Thung Phaya Thai, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
Opening hours: 10:00AM to 9:00PM daily

Gaeng Keow Wan (Green Curry)

A true Thai classic, green curry is made from fresh green chilies, Thai eggplants, bamboo shoots, basil, and tender meat in a creamy coconut base that occasionally helps to slightly tone down the spiciness. Krua Apsorn in Bangkok has on offer a particularly flavourful and rich green curry that strikes a harmonious balance between spiciness and sweetness.

Krua Apsorn
169, Dinso Rd, Wat Bowon Niwet, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, Thailand
Opening hours: 10:30AM to 7:30PM daily

Pad Kra Pao (Basil Stir-Fry)

Found in nearly every eatery across Thailand, Pad Kra Pao is a Thai Basil Stir-Fry that is a staple in Thai cuisine and a go-to comfort food for many. This classic dish, usually made up of minced pork, chicken, or beef, is super aromatic thanks to its key ingredient, holy basil, which gives the dish its distinctive flavour and name. It is best served on a bed of steamed rice and topped with a fried egg. Phed Mark, opened by YouTuber Mark Wiens and friends, is a great place to sink your teeth into a plate of a yummy Pad Kra Pao.

Phed Mark
300, Sukhumvit Rd, Phra Khanong, Khlong Toei, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
Opening hours: 10:00AM to 7:00PM daily

Kuay Teow Reua (Boat Noodles)

A rich noodle soup historically served by boat vendors on Bangkok’s canals, this luscious dish includes tender beef or pork, fresh herbs, and a dash of blood to enrich the flavour of the broth. It is particularly popular at the Victory Monument boat noodle alley in Bangkok, but one of our favourites is the lesser-known Doy Kuay Teow Reua that extends a thick, rich, dark and oh-so-satisfying broth.

Doy Kuay Teow Reua
Ratchawithi 18 Alley, Thung Phaya Thai, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
Opening hours: 8:00AM to 5:00PM daily

Pad See Ew

Pad See Ew is a popular Thai stir-fried noodle dish demonstrating a savoury-sweet flavour profile, but tastes nothing like a Pad Thai. Hearty, flavourful, and comforting, this dish is quintessentially made with wide rice noodles stir-fried with a protein like chicken or pork, Chinese broccoli, garlic, and eggs, paired with dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, sugar, and some oyster sauce for a deeper flavour. The better the char, the smokier the flavour – and Grand Sanyod, a Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant specialising in Thai Cantonese cuisine, does this particularly well.

Grand Sanyod
89, Charat Wiang Rd, Si Lom, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500, Thailand
Opening hours: 10:00AM to 9:00PM daily

Laab

This spicy minced meat salad from northeastern Thailand (also known as Isan) really packs a flavour punch. Also originating from Laos, Laab is traditionally made with minced meat, mushrooms, mint leaves, coriander, shallots, lime juice, fish sauce, and of course, lots of chillies. While there are plenty of good ones in Thailand, Phed Phed, which specialises in Isan cuisine, is one of the top restaurants to try authentic Laab.

Phed Phed
Phed Phed operates eight branches in Phahonyothin Soi 8, Pradiphat 20, Central Chidlom, Central Bangna, The Circle, Klong Ladmayom, King Power Rangnam, and King Power Mahanakhon.
Opening hours: Varies according to the different branches

Featured image: Selwyn van Haaren via Unsplash