Thai food is like a friendly hug from that wild friend — comforting yet full of surprises. Tangy salads, fiery spices, and savory desserts. I dare say no cuisine in the world packs as much punch as Thai food. To help you savor the best bits of the local food fare and experience it all, TourHero’s here for you, as always.
There’s a plethora of Thai foods you should try, but we’ve narrowed it down to 10 that you must try when you visit the Land of Smiles. We’ve sorted the dishes according to their dominant flavor profiles so you get an idea of what to expect.
Whether you’re an uninitiated foodie looking to try the best of the best or a Thai food veteran looking for an adventure, there’s something in this guide for everyone. Read on to discover these must-try Thai foods and where to find them in Bangkok! (There’s a bonus dish that will TRULY excite, so stick around and read till the end.)
Savory
Crab meat omelet (khai jiao phu)
Thai omelet is arguably one of my favorite ways to cook an egg. Fried over high heat, it’s simple yet devilishly good. Pair it with soft and sweet crab meat, and you’ll have yourself a masterpiece. You can either have crab meat omelette on its own or paired with white rice. You can also have crabmeat omelet fried rice, adding a twist to the classic dish.
Where to eat crab meat omelet in Bangkok: Jay Fai, with one Michelin star, is an institution in Bangkok. It has been graced by notable figures, from Dua Lipa to Jack Ma. The restaurant is famous for its crab meat omelet, known to be crispy on the outside but fluffy on the inside. The venerated dish speaks for itself after you’ve tasted it.
Grilled pork with sticky rice (khao niao moo ping)
Walk through Bangkok’s streets in the morning and you’ll likely see pushcarts selling all sorts of grilled meats. The most iconic of them is moo ping (grilled pork skewers). Essentially honeyed grilled pork on a skewer, it’s a simple yet addictive Thai snack. You can enjoy moo ping on its own or with sticky rice to make it a complete meal. Since it’s a skewer, moo ping is an excellent option for breakfast on the go.
Where to eat grilled pork with sticky rice in Bangkok: To be frank, the best moo ping I’ve had are the ones sold from street-side pushcarts. Stop and try some whenever you see a pushcart selling moo ping. You can also find them in food courts around the city.
Pad thai
What’s a Thai foods list without pad thai? Sweet, savory, and umami flavors paired with soft broth-soaked rice noodles and the crunchiness of crushed peanuts and fried tofu. Honestly, does pad thai even need an introduction? The rich-flavored, stir-fried noodle is often paired with a protein of choice, from chicken to prawns and even pork belly. If you haven’t had pad thai before, you MUST add it to your bucket list the next time you’re in Thailand. It’s quintessential to the Thai experience.
Where to eat pad thai in Bangkok: Head to Thipsamai Padthai Pratu Phi. It’s a legendary establishment and their pad thai will hit the spot. Alternatively, you can check out Pad Thai Fai Ta Lu, a recipient of the Michelin Bib Gourmand Award.
Spicy
Basil minced pork rice (pad kra pao moo saap)
Pad kra pao moo saap, or basil minced pork rice, is an iconic staple in the Thai foods hall of fame. Minced pork stir-fried with basil and chili, then served with aromatic jasmine rice — the dish is simple in design yet sophisticated in flavor. Enjoy it with a fried egg, and you’ll have a satisfying lunch.
Where to eat basil minced pork rice in Bangkok: Visit Phed Mark, a local restaurant chain owned by renowned food blogger Mark Wiens, dedicated to the art of pad kra pao moo saap. What makes Phed Mark special is their fried egg — perfectly runny egg yolk sitting atop egg white that’s fried to a crisp. You can also choose how spicy you want your pork rice to be. Otherwise, the dish is a standard menu item at eateries, too.
Spicy pork bone soup (leng zabb)
If you visit a street food fair, you might come across a tower of pork bones stacked like a volcano. That’s leng zabb, or spicy pork bone soup. Full of flavor and personality, leng zabb is for those with a taste for adventure. Apart from its eye-catching presentation, the other thing that stands out about the dish is the green garnish sprinkled all over it. The color itself should serve as a fair warning. It’s green not only from the cilantro but also from the green chilies that give the dish its spicy bite.
Where to eat spicy pork bone soup in Bangkok: Head to Maeklong Noodles & Leng Zabb at Jodd Fairs Ratchada. If you just want to sample the dish, avoid ordering the larger portions.
Tom yum noodles (tom yum mama)
If you’re looking for something that’s the best of both worlds, try tom yum mama. The dish’s name has an interesting origin story. It combines the classic tom yum with instant noodles from a local brand, ‘mama’. The noodles are springy and usually quite al-dente, giving the dish a fresh texture. Various ingredients can be added as toppings, from your basics like meatballs to the extravagant like whole lobsters. You’re the artist, and the bowl of tom yum mama is your canvas. The broth is just like any tom yum base — tangy, spicy, and absolutely hearty.
Where to eat tom yum mama in Bangkok: Jeh-O Chula. It’s a tom yum mama institution, so expect long queues! Be sure to also try their crispy pork belly and spicy salmon sashimi salad. Alternatively, head to Pe Aor Tom Yum Kung Noodle. It’s quieter but no less impressive. Pe Aor Tom Yung Kung Noodle is popular for its lobster and seafood tom yum noodles.
Dancing shrimp (goong ten)
From the depths of the sea comes one of Thailand’s most sensational foods — goong ten (dancing shrimp) — made famous by TikTok and the internet. Hailing from northern Thailand (or Isan), dancing shrimp is a salad mix of ground chili, lime juice, shallots, lemon grass, and live freshwater shrimps. Yes. Live. It’s nicknamed ‘dancing shrimp’ because you’ll often see the shrimps moving and hopping inside the bowl. Not quite a dance, but certainly a sight to behold. Not for the faint of heart. If you like sashimi, maybe you’ll enjoy this one.
Where to eat dancing shrimp in Bangkok: You can find goong ten at Jodd Fairs Ratchada, a street food fair where you can find a variety of Thai foods, including leng zabb.
Sweet
Mango sticky rice (khao niao mamuang)
Mango sticky rice is a dessert that has become synonymous with Thai cuisine. The sweetness of fresh Thai mango, the chewiness of sticky rice, and the creaminess of coconut milk all comes together to create the perfect symphony. Need we say more? Don’t leave Thailand without giving authentic mango sticky rice a try.
Where to eat mango sticky rice in Bangkok: K. Panich earned itself the Michelin Bib Gourmand with their mango sticky rice. Their recipe has been perfected over almost 80 years. Start your mango sticky rice experience there.
Bread with flavored custard filling or dips
Need a sugar rush? Enjoy some bread. Now, hear me out. I’m not talking about bread bread. I’m talking about bread with all sorts of sweet and satisfying dips, from condensed milk to Thai milk tea custard. The Thais have added their own twist to enjoying the staple, creating new sweet treats in the process. The bread itself comes in many forms too. Some shops serve up dinner roll-style bread, while others offer Indian-style roti or Japanese-style shokupan. Whatever it is, it’s the perfect post-meal treat, and you’ll always have room for this one.
Where to eat bread with sweet dips in Bangkok: For bread that overflows with fillings, visit Yaowarat Toasted Buns along (you guessed it) Yaowarat Road.
Alternatively, head to Nueng Nom Nua at Banthat Thong Road. Look out for the giant red logo of a boy with bread in his hands. Nueng Nom Nua serves Japanese-style shokupan with a creative range of dips. They’re also popular for other menu items, so feel free to explore your options. It’s also right across from Jeh-O, the tom yum mama restaurant.
Mini flower pancakes (kanom kroc bai tuey)
For a little sweet treat, try unique mini pandan pancakes. The fun dessert is sometimes called ‘kanom kroc Singapore’, apparently because Thais used to call tapioca flour ‘Singapore flour’. Made with tapioca starch, coconut milk, and pandan extract, this is a dense snack that will remind you of mochi. The slightly charred bits add a little smokiness and crispness to its taste, giving the sweet treat a savory twist.
Where to eat mini flower pancakes in Bangkok: Visit Siam Pandan at Siam Square or kanomsiam at Emsphere to taste kanom kroc bai tuey.
BONUS: Wild
Red ant eggs (khai mot daeng)
This might pique the curiosity of the adventurous foodie. In northern Thailand, red ant eggs are often served as a delicacy. It’s a versatile dish and can be prepared in many ways — in soups, salads, or an omelet. You’ll have to try it yourself to figure out what it tastes like. You might find restaurants selling the dish in Chiang Mai rather than Bangkok.
Craving Thai food now?
Pork noodles, pork leg rice, Isan sausages — I could go on. But the 10 in this guide should give you a taste of some of the best Thai foods every first-timer must try. If reading this has made your stomach start to rumble, you aren’t alone, because same. We hope this guide has introduced you to some delicious new Thai dishes — and that it inspires your next culinary adventure in the Land of Smiles!
Craving everything on this Thai foods guide? Round up your besties and get ready to eat your way through Thailand! Plan the ultimate foodie adventure with TourHero — we’ll craft the perfect itinerary so you can savor Thailand’s boldest, most delicious flavors without the stress. All you have to do is gather your community… and bring your appetites! 🍜 ✈️
About TourHero
TourHero is a social travel platform that enables you to travel with like-minded people and fall in love with the journey. We work closely with handpicked local operators to ensure every experience curated is unique and exclusive to your travel group. Come with us on epic adventures and create memories that last a lifetime. Get started here!
