Must Try Food in Thailand
One of my favorite parts of traveling is trying new food and drinks in each new destination. Thailand provided a lot of new unique and delicious foods, unlike anything we had tried before. I’m not talking about Pad Thai, people although I’ll admit we had to try it while we were there. We made a point to try things we had never tried before that we probably would never get to try outside of Thailand.
My word of advice would be to save your appetite and venture down to some of the amazing night markets Thailand has to offer as that’s will find some of the best food. We found the night markets in Thailand to be a great way to get out and explore the culture, food, bargaining, and shopping without the afternoon heat! We especially loved that we could get a three course meal for two people for under $7 (~200 baht) which was on one of our most expensive night market experiences. Bring your appetites and don’t miss these must try foods on your next visit to Thailand.
Also check out our post on must try drinks in Thailand.
Khao Soi
Where we found it: Ran Kru Bella Address: Suthep Rd, Tambon Su Thep, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
How much we paid: 45 baht
Khao Soi is a soup that is common and traditional to Northern Thailand and may be harder find outside of the Northern region of Thailand. This soup dish generally is a coconut curry based broth containing noodles, shallots, lime, and some kind of meat, often chicken or beef. The version I tried was chicken and extremely flavorful with a very spicy kick, so be prepared if you aren’t a fan of spicy food.
Som Tam/Green Papaya Salad
Where we found it: Old City Sunday Night Market Address: Rachadamnoen Rd, Tambon Si Phum, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Kalare Food & Shopping Centre Address: 89/2 Chang Khlan Rd., Chang Khlan, Muang, Chiang Mai, 50000, Thailand
How much we paid: 40-80 baht
Green papaya salad is a refreshing salad made with underripe/green papayas. This is a spicy salad that contains ingredients such as lime, Thai chili, fish sauce, tomato, garlic, and often peanuts (although ingredients may vary depending on who’s preparing it). All the ingredients are mixed and pounded in a large often wooden mortar and pedestal. We had this multiple times while in Thailand and each version was slightly different but always delicious!
Pamelo Salad/Yam Som-o
Where we found it: Choei Cafe and Bistro Address: 187/24 Chang Khlan Rd., Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand
Yam Som-o is a another refreshing salad that has the perfect balance of sweet, sour, and spicy! This was one of the last dishes I had before leaving Thailand and I’m so glad I got to try this. This Pamela salad had shredded pamelo, garlic, Thai chilis, shredded coconut, peanuts, and was topped with shrimp. I loved not only the flavor but the coconut and peanuts added the perfect crunch and texture. If you see this in the menu on your visit to Thailand go ahead and order it because you’ll be hard pressed to find anywhere else!
Mango Sticky Rice
Where we found it: Old City Sunday Night Market Address: Rachadamnoen Rd, Tambon Si Phum, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
How much we paid: 40-60 baht
I hope you saved room for dessert because mango sticky rice will be the perfect finish to your night market food tour. Mango sticky rice is a rice dish made with sweeten coconut milk and fresh mango. This is a very simple dish with very few ingredients making it both simple and delicious. If you have a sweet tooth definitely don’t pass up on this dish. If you can’t make it to Thailand any time soon turn up the heat and make this at home with our next recipe post coming soon.
Have a favorite Thai dish that I missed? Please share in the comments so others can check them out and I have another reason to go back to Thailand!
Chôhk dee,
Jessica