Thai cuisine is renowned for its unique blend of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors, making it a favorite among food lovers worldwide. From aromatic curries to tangy salads, Thai dishes are known for their complexity and depth of flavor, making them a truly unique experience for your palate. If you have already mastered the coconut rice and want to experiment, read on. If you’re still working on it, you can find an easy recipe to follow here: mahatmarice.com/recipes/easy-coconut-rice/.
In this article, we will be exploring the top 20 dishes of Thai food, each with its own distinctive flavor and ingredients. So, whether you are a seasoned Thai food lover or just starting out, get ready to discover some of the most delicious and unforgettable dishes that Thailand has to offer.
1.Tom Yum Goong
A spicy and sour soup made with shrimp, lemongrass, chili, kaffir lime leaves, and other herbs. This iconic Thai soup is characterized by its distinct hot and sour flavors, which are created by a combination of ingredients such as lime juice, fish sauce, and chili. The dish is typically served with a handful of fresh cilantro leaves and can be enjoyed as a starter or main course.
2.Pad Thai
A stir-fried rice noodle dish with vegetables, peanuts, and either shrimp or chicken. This quintessential Thai street food is a favorite around the world, thanks to its irresistible combination of sweet, sour, and savory flavors. The dish features rice noodles that are stir-fried with a sauce made from tamarind paste, palm sugar, fish sauce, and chili. The noodles are then tossed with bean sprouts, scallions, and crushed peanuts.
3.Som Tum
A spicy and tangy salad made with green papaya, chili, peanuts, and lime. This refreshing salad is a staple of Northeastern Thai cuisine and is known for its bold, spicy flavors. The dish is typically made with shredded green papaya, which is pounded with a mortar and pestle along with chili, garlic, fish sauce, lime juice, and palm sugar. The salad is then garnished with roasted peanuts and served with sticky rice.
4.Gaeng Keow Wan Gai
A green curry made with chicken, coconut milk, and green chilies. This classic Thai curry is famous for its rich and creamy texture and bright green color, which comes from the use of fresh green chilies and herbs such as coriander, basil, and kaffir lime leaves. The dish is typically served with steamed rice and can be customized with different types of meat or vegetables.
5.Pad Kra Pao
A stir-fried dish made with meat, chili, basil leaves, and garlic. This simple yet flavorful dish is a favorite of Thai locals and visitors alike. The dish is typically made with ground pork or chicken, which is stir-fried with garlic, chili, and soy sauce. The dish is then finished with fresh basil leaves and served with steamed rice.
6.Khao Soi
A spicy noodle soup made with curry paste, coconut milk, and either chicken or beef. This hearty soup is a specialty of Northern Thailand and is known for its complex flavors and textures. The dish features egg noodles that are cooked in a rich broth made from a blend of coconut milk, curry paste, and other spices. The soup is typically served with crispy noodles on top and garnished with pickled mustard greens, lime, and chili.
7.Massaman Curry
A mild and creamy curry made with beef or chicken, potatoes, peanuts, and other aromatics. This popular curry is believed to have originated in Southern Thailand and features a blend of Indian and Thai spices. The dish is typically made with tender chunks of beef or chicken that are simmered in a rich and creamy sauce made from coconut milk, tamarind, cinnamon, and star anise.
8.Tom Kha Gai
This classic Thai soup is made with chicken, coconut milk, galangal, lemongrass, and other aromatic herbs and spices. It has a creamy, slightly sour, and slightly sweet flavor that is very comforting. It is usually served with rice or noodles, and some fresh herbs like cilantro and basil.
9.Larb
This traditional dish from northeastern Thailand is a spicy minced meat salad made with either pork, chicken, or beef. It is seasoned with fish sauce, lime juice, chili flakes, and roasted rice powder, and served with lettuce leaves and fresh herbs. It has a tangy, spicy, and nutty flavor that is very refreshing.
10.Pad See Ew
This stir-fried noodle dish is made with wide rice noodles, dark soy sauce, Chinese broccoli, and your choice of meat or seafood. It is usually served with some chili flakes, vinegar, and sugar on the side to adjust the flavor to your liking. It has a sweet, savory, and slightly smoky taste that is very satisfying.
11.Yum Woon Sen
This spicy and sour glass noodle salad is made with shrimp, ground pork, tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and mint. It is seasoned with fish sauce, lime juice, chili flakes, and roasted peanuts, and served cold. It has a crunchy, tangy, and nutty flavor that is very addictive.
12.Gang Som
This sour curry is a popular dish from southern Thailand that is made with fish, shrimp, or chicken, tamarind paste, garlic, shallots, and a variety of vegetables. It has a tangy, slightly sweet, and spicy flavor that is very refreshing. It is usually served with rice and some fresh herbs.
13.Pla Rad Prik
This crispy fried fish is topped with a spicy sauce made with garlic, chili peppers, fish sauce, and sugar. It is usually served with steamed vegetables and rice. It has a sweet, spicy, and savory taste that is very satisfying.
14.Pad Prik King
This stir-fried dish is made with your choice of meat or tofu, green beans, red chili paste, and kaffir lime leaves. It is usually served with rice and some fresh herbs. It has a spicy, slightly sweet, and aromatic flavor that is very flavorful.
15.Kaeng Pa
This spicy jungle curry is a traditional dish from northern Thailand that is made with a variety of meat, vegetables, and herbs. It is seasoned with wild ginger, turmeric, galangal, lemongrass, and other aromatic spices, and has a very strong and distinct flavor. It is usually served with rice and some fresh herbs.
16.Kuay Teow Tom Yum
This spicy noodle soup is similar to Tom Yum Goong but with noodles instead of rice. It is made with shrimp or chicken, lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, and chili peppers, and has a sour, spicy, and savory taste that is very comforting. It is usually served with some fresh herbs and lime wedges.
17.Pad Krapow Moo Saap
This stir-fried dish is made with minced pork, Thai basil, chili peppers, and garlic. It is usually served with rice and a fried egg on top. It has a spicy, slightly sweet, and aromatic flavor that is very satisfying.
18.Gaeng Massaman Nuea
This is a fragrant and rich Thai curry that is made with beef, potatoes, peanuts, and a variety of aromatic spices. The dish has a distinct Muslim influence and is often eaten with steamed rice or roti.
19.Khao Man Gai
This is a popular Thai street food made with boiled chicken, fragrant rice, and a flavorful broth. The chicken is typically served with a dipping sauce made from soy sauce, ginger, garlic, chili, and vinegar. This dish is simple, yet satisfying, and is often eaten for breakfast or lunch.
20.Pla Neung Manao
This is a healthy and flavorful Thai dish that consists of steamed fish with a tangy lime and chili sauce. The fish is typically seasoned with garlic, cilantro, and soy sauce, and then wrapped in a banana leaf before being steamed to perfection. The dish is often served with a side of steamed vegetables and rice. The lime and chili sauce adds a refreshing and zesty flavor to the dish, making it a favorite among seafood lovers.
