Best Food in Thailand

What to Eat in Thailand

Thailand is far more than just tropical beaches and golden temples — it’s one of the world’s greatest food destinations. Every dish is a perfect balance of flavors: sweet, sour, salty, spicy, and bitter, all working together in harmony. Thai cuisine is deeply rooted in tradition, shaped by Chinese, Indian, and Southeast Asian influences, yet it remains proudly unique. From street food stalls to family-run eateries, food in Thailand is vibrant, bold, and unforgettable.

What makes Thai food truly special is its freshness and intensity. Herbs like lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and Thai basil, combined with chilies, coconut milk, and fish sauce, create dishes that explode with flavor. Whether it’s noodles, curries, soups, seafood, or desserts, every meal feels alive and full of character.

As a passionate traveler and food lover, I strongly believe that food is one of the best ways to understand a country — and Thailand proves this beautifully. Eating like a local here isn’t just about taste; it’s about culture, community, and everyday life. Sitting on a plastic stool, sharing dishes, and watching the world go by is part of the experience.

👉 In this guide, I’ll share:

🍜 What to eat in Thailand
🍴 My favorite places to eat

Heads up: this page may include affiliate links. By clicking and/or purchasing, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost for you. I only recommend tools I have personally vetted.

👉Where I stayed in Thailand

• Bangkok: Lamphu House Bangkok 🅱️ Booking🔗🆃 Trip.com🔗
• Chiang Mai: Kavil Guesthouse 🅱️ Booking🔗🆃 Trip.com🔗
• Chiang Rai: Tourist Inn Home & Bread 🅱️ Booking🔗
• Khao Sok National Park: Coco Hostel Khao Sok 🅱️ Booking🔗🆃 Trip.com🔗
• Suratthani: Me Dream Residence🅱️ Booking🔗🆃 Trip.com🔗
• Koh Chang: Elephant & Castle Resort 🅱️ Booking🔗
• Ko Kut: Suan Maprao Ko Kut Resort 🅱️ Booking🔗🆃 Trip.com🔗

What is the best food in Thailand

Street Food & Quick Bites

Thai street food is legendary — fast, flavorful, affordable, and deeply connected to everyday life. From buzzing night markets to humble roadside carts, this is where you’ll taste some of the most authentic dishes in the country. Locals eat street food daily, and as a traveler, it’s one of the best (and most fun) ways to explore Thai cuisine.

Moo Ping (Grilled Pork Skewers)

Sweet, juicy grilled pork skewers are often sold in the morning or late evening. Perfect as a quick snack or paired with sticky rice for a simple street-side meal.

Khao Niew Mamuang (Mango Sticky Rice)

A classic Thai dessert. Sweet sticky rice topped with ripe mango slices and coconut milk. Simple, fresh, and absolutely irresistible.

🍴 Where to Go: All of these street food specialties can be found at night markets across Thailand. Every city, no matter how small, has at least one night market where you can shop, wander, and feast on local food. That said, the standout for me is Chiang Rai’s night market—authentic, relaxed, and packed with genuinely excellent street food rather than touristy imitations.

Savory Dishes

Pad Thai

Probably Thailand’s most famous dish. Stir-fried rice noodles with egg, tofu or shrimp, bean sprouts, and peanuts, finished with lime. Simple, balanced, and best enjoyed from a busy street stall.

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🍴 Where to Go: Pad Thai is everywhere, but in Bangkok one dish truly stood out—the unforgettable Pad Thai at Pad Thai Fai Ta Lu🔗 

Pad Kra Pao (Holy Basil Stir-Fry)

A true local favorite. Minced pork or chicken stir-fried with garlic, chilies, and holy basil, usually topped with a crispy fried egg and served over rice. Spicy, savory, and incredibly addictive.

Khao Soi

Khao Soi is one of northern Thailand’s most iconic and comforting dishes, especially associated with Chiang Mai. This rich coconut curry noodle soup perfectly balances creamy, spicy, and slightly tangy flavors. It’s made with soft egg noodles swimming in a fragrant curry broth, usually topped with tender chicken or beef, crispy fried noodles, pickled mustard greens, shallots, and a squeeze of lime. The contrast between the silky soup and the crunchy noodles on top makes every bite incredibly satisfying. Influenced by Burmese cuisine, Khao Soi feels both hearty and complex, yet deeply comforting — a dish you’ll want to eat more than once during your time in Thailand.

🍴 Where to Go: Khao soi is a signature dish of Northern Thailand, and this region is the best place to try it. My favorite bowls were in Chiang Rai, where the food was incredibly cheap and easily among the best in Thailand. Stop by Barrab Restaurant🔗, where you can find all the Northern Thai specialties, including khao soi. 

Chim Chum

Chim Chum is a traditional dish from northeastern Thailand (Isan), often described as a more rustic and aromatic version of hot pot. It is served in a clay pot placed over charcoal, filled with a fragrant broth infused with herbs such as lemongrass, galangal, and kaffir lime leaves. Raw meat—usually pork or beef—is added at the table, along with vegetables, mushrooms, and noodles, all slowly cooked in the broth. Simple yet deeply flavorful, Chim Chum is a social meal meant to be shared, offering a genuine taste of local Thai food culture.

🍴 Where to Go: I tried this at the Chiang Rai Night Market, and it quickly became one of the best dishes I tasted in Thailand.

Fish

Fish plays an important role in Thai cuisine, especially in coastal areas and along rivers, where it is often prepared fresh and simply to highlight its natural flavor. Thai fish dishes range from grilled whole fish served with spicy seafood sauce, to deep-fried fish topped with tangy tamarind or chili sauces, and steamed fish with lime, garlic, and chili for a lighter option. Freshwater fish is also common in soups and curries, while dried and fermented fish add depth to many regional recipes. Whether eaten at a street stall or in a local restaurant, fish dishes in Thailand are flavorful, balanced, and deeply connected to the country’s geography and food traditions.

⚠️ Be cautious when eating fish, as there is a higher chance of getting sick—even when it’s well-cooked. Some fish at local markets didn’t look particularly fresh, so it’s always a good idea to check restaurant reviews before going.

Fishball Noodle

Fishball noodles are a beloved street-food staple across Thailand, especially in Bangkok and coastal regions. The dish features springy, flavorful fishballs served with chewy egg or rice noodles in a savory broth, often topped with fresh herbs, fried garlic, and chili for an extra kick. You can find it in countless variations—dry or in soup, spicy or mild—and vendors often add pork, wontons, or vegetables to make it even heartier.

🍴 Where to Go: I recommend trying this dish at Lim Lao Sar Fishball Noodle🔗 in Bangkok, where you can sample this local specialty. It’s a small, low-key kiosk, but the flavors are unforgettable.

Restaurant Recommendations in Thailand

Below, you’ll find my full list of places I enjoyed eating in Thailand. I’ve also included a variety of cuisines, as I tried some excellent Indian and Chinese restaurants as well. The "€" reflects the price range.

Best thai food in Bangkok Thailand

• Ten Suns ไร้เทียมทาน 十光🔗 €: This is a small, unassuming spot where you can enjoy authentic Chinese food.
• Kolun.h🔗 €: Another fantastic Chinese spot where you can also sample some Thai dishes—everything I tried was absolutely delicious!
• Lim Lao Ngow Fishball Noodle🔗 € or Lim Lao Sar Fishball Noodle🔗 €: Two different spots, run by the same owner, both serving fantastic fishballs.
• Pad Thai Fai Ta Lu🔗 €€: Here, you can enjoy traditional Thai dishes that are full of flavor, though a bit pricier than what you’d find at the street markets. It’s a great choice if you’re looking for quality and authenticity in a more comfortable setting.
• Anya Authentic Thai Cuisine🔗 €€: I absolutely loved this place—the flavors were incredible, and it was totally worth a visit!
• Laoteng🔗 €€€: This charming Chinese restaurant was truly amazing. I tried many dishes I had never eaten before, making it a wonderfully memorable experience!

Best food in Chiang Mai Thailand​ 

• PADTHAI THAI FOOD🔗 €: Another casual spot in Chiang Mai where you can enjoy authentic Thai food.
• Guay Jub Chang Moi Tat Mai🔗 €: Another relaxed spot in Chiang Mai that’s perfect for enjoying classic Thai flavors.
• THE HOUSE by Ginger🔗 €€€: This is a proper restaurant with a full menu, and it’s a bit on the pricier side. In my opinion, in Thailand it’s sometimes worth spending a little extra to enjoy a more refined take on this cuisine—it’s a special experience you won’t forget.

Best food in Chiang Rai Thailand

• Barrab restaurant🔗€€: One of the best restaurants I’ve been to in Thailand, offering truly unique dishes. Keep in mind, it’s very popular, so it’s wise to stop by and reserve your spot in advance.
• Pad Thai Jet Yod🔗€: Pad Thai that’s incredibly cheap but absolutely unforgettable.
• Accha Authentic Indian Cuisine Chiang Rai 🔗€€: Amazing Indian food that I’d recommend without hesitation—every dish was full of flavor and completely satisfying.

Surat Thani

• YAKI GYOZA🔗€: I happened to be in Surat Thani for just one night and stumbled upon this Japanese restaurant. It was absolutely amazing—I even had to come back a second time! A truly authentic experience, made even better by the fact that there are no tourists here.

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