Thailand's street food is a global icon — Bangkok held UNESCO's status as a Creative City of Gastronomy since 2015. Prices range from 40 to 150 THB per dish for exceptional quality if you know where to look. Here are 20 dishes every visitor should try, with pronunciation and finding tips.
Noodles and rice
1. Pad Thai (ผัดไทย) — stir-fried rice noodles with tamarind, egg, tofu, dried shrimp and crushed peanuts. Best at Thipsamai on Maha Chai Road, Bangkok (in business since 1966, queue after 18:00).
2. Khao Soi (ข้าวซอย) — northern Thai curry noodle soup with crispy noodles on top. Chiang Mai speciality. Try Khao Soi Khun Yai near Wat Umong for the classic version.
3. Boat Noodles (ก๋วยเตี๋ยวเรือ) — small bowls of rich pork or beef broth with morning glory and blood sausage. Victory Monument's Boat Noodle Alley is the classic Bangkok spot, 15-20 THB per tiny bowl.
4. Kuay Teow Reua (ก๋วยเตี๋ยว) — general rice noodle soup, endless variations. Wattana Panich in Chinatown serves the legendary 45-year-old master stock beef broth.
5. Khao Man Gai (ข้าวมันไก่) — poached chicken over rice cooked in the poaching broth, with ginger-soy dipping sauce. Go Ang Pratunam is famous but Kaiton Pratunam next door is arguably better and half the queue.
6. Khao Kha Moo (ข้าวขาหมู) — slow-braised pork leg over rice with egg and pickled greens. Chang Phueak Pork Leg Rice in Chiang Mai (the seller wears a cowboy hat) opens 17:00 daily.
Soups and salads
7. Tom Yum Goong (ต้มยำกุ้ง) — hot-sour prawn soup with lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime and chilli. The clear version is nam sai; the creamy is nam khon.
8. Tom Kha Gai (ต้มข่าไก่) — coconut galangal chicken soup, milder than tom yum and beloved by first-timers.
9. Som Tam (ส้มตำ) — green papaya salad pounded in a clay mortar. Ask for pu (crab) or thai (dried shrimp) style. Warning: request pet nid noi (a little spicy) unless you enjoy real heat.
10. Yam Wun Sen (ยำวุ้นเส้น) — glass noodle salad with prawns, minced pork, red onion and lime dressing.
Curries and stir-fries
11. Green Curry (แกงเขียวหวาน — gaeng khiao wan) — coconut curry with Thai basil, aubergine and chicken or fish balls. Sweeter than red.
12. Massaman Curry (แกงมัสมั่น) — Muslim-influenced curry with peanuts, potato, cinnamon and beef or chicken. Ranked #1 in CNN's World's 50 Best Foods list.
13. Pad Krapao (ผัดกะเพรา) — minced pork or chicken with holy basil and chilli, over rice with a fried egg on top. The Thai comfort food, eaten daily by locals. Under 60 THB anywhere.
14. Pad See Ew (ผัดซีอิ๊ว) — wide rice noodles stir-fried with dark soy, egg and Chinese broccoli. Milder than pad thai, better for people who dislike sweet dishes.
Grilled and fried
15. Moo Ping (หมูปิ้ง) — grilled pork skewers, usually served with sticky rice for 10-15 THB each. Perfect breakfast for locals.
16. Gai Yang (ไก่ย่าง) — Isaan-style grilled chicken marinated in lemongrass and garlic. Best at Gai Yang Boran near Victory Monument.
17. Pla Pao (ปลาเผา) — whole fish stuffed with lemongrass and covered in salt crust, grilled over charcoal. Chinatown and Rot Fai Market are best hunting grounds.
Desserts and drinks
18. Khao Niao Mamuang (ข้าวเหนียวมะม่วง) — mango with sticky rice and coconut cream. In season March-June. Mae Varee on Sukhumvit Soi 55 is the Bangkok landmark.
19. Roti Gluay Kai (โรตี) — pan-fried flatbread with banana and egg, drizzled with condensed milk. Muslim-Thai speciality found near mosques and night markets.
20. Cha Yen (ชาเย็น) — Thai iced tea with condensed milk. Bright orange, sweet and refreshing. 25-40 THB from any street cart.
Eating tips: cash is king at street stalls; carry small notes. If a stall has a line of local Thai customers, join it. Avoid stalls with pre-cooked food sitting in the sun. Ice at reputable places comes from ice factories and is safe. Sit-down street restaurants often use pak boong lay (morning glory sink) and are hygienic — trust your nose and eyes.