Top Traditional Thai Dishes You Must Try While Exploring Thailand

Introduction: Exploring Thailand Through Its Food

One of the best ways to truly experience Thailand is through its food. And the very first thing we did upon arrival is to go explore the 7 Eleven at the airport! Every region has its own flavors, ingredients, and cooking styles, making Thai cuisine as diverse as the country itself. From bustling street markets to small family-run restaurants near temples and landmarks, food is woven into everyday life in Thailand.

As food-loving travelers, we believe tasting traditional dishes is just as important as sightseeing. If you’re planning your itinerary, make sure food is part of the journey. We’ll soon be sharing a full guide to experiences and landmarks in Thailand, including temples, markets, and cultural highlights. Top Things to Do in Thailand 

Below, we’re sharing our favorite traditional Thai dishes, starting with the ones we loved most—Pad Thai and Khao Soi—and ending with our least favorite, Panang curry. This list reflects what we actually ate while exploring Thailand.

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🍽️ Traditional Thai Dishes You Must Try While Exploring Thailand

🥇 Pad Thai (Central Thailand) – Our Favorite

Region: Central Thailand

Pad Thai is Thailand’s most famous dish, and for good reason. This stir-fried noodle dish balances sweet, sour, salty, and umami flavors perfectly. It’s commonly made with rice noodles, egg, tofu or chicken, bean sprouts, and peanuts.

How to eat it:
Pad Thai is best eaten hot, straight from the wok. Add lime juice before your first bite, then adjust with chili flakes or sugar if needed. Street stalls often serve it wrapped in banana leaves, which adds to the experience.

🥈 Khao Soi (Northern Thailand) – A Close Second

Region: Northern Thailand (Chiang Mai & Chiang Rai)

Khao Soi is a rich and comforting coconut curry noodle soup, usually made with chicken and topped with crispy noodles. We had one of the best versions outside the White Temple, making it both a cultural and culinary highlight.

How to eat it:
Start by mixing the crispy noodles into the broth. Add pickled mustard greens, shallots, and a squeeze of lime. The contrast of textures is what makes this dish special.

🍛 Massaman Curry (Southern Thailand) – One of Our Favorites

Region: Southern Thailand

Massaman curry quickly became one of our favorite Thai dishes. Rich, mildly spiced, and comforting, it blends Thai flavors with influences from Indian and Middle Eastern cuisine. Made with coconut milk, tender meat, potatoes, and warm spices, it’s less spicy than other Thai curries but incredibly flavorful. We loved it so much that we brought home a ready-to-use Massaman curry paste, mixed it with coconut milk and fresh ingredients, and recreated the dish to share with family. Cooking it again at home instantly brought us back to Thailand and reminded us how food connects travel memories with everyday life.

How to eat it:
Massaman curry is best enjoyed slowly, served with steamed rice. Let the flavors develop with each bite—it’s a dish made for savoring.

🌿 Chicken Wrapped in Pandan Leaves (Central Thailand)

Region: Central Thailand

This dish features marinated chicken wrapped in fragrant pandan leaves and fried until golden. It’s often served as a snack or appetizer near tourist landmarks like the Bridge over the River Kwai.

How to eat it:
Unwrap the pandan leaves and dip the chicken into the accompanying sweet sauce. It’s meant to be eaten with your hands.

🍛 Green Curry Chicken Soup (Central Thailand)

Region: Central Thailand

Green curry is spicier and fresher than other Thai curries, thanks to green chilies and herbs. This version is lighter and soup-like, perfect for warm weather.

How to eat it:
Serve with jasmine rice. Take small bites to balance the heat and coconut richness.

🥗 Thai Papaya Salad (Som Tam) + Pad Thai Combo (Northeastern Thailand)

Region: Isaan (Northeastern Thailand)

Som Tam is spicy, tangy, and refreshing. Pairing it with Pad Thai creates a balanced meal that combines heat, sweetness, and crunch.

How to eat it:
Mix everything well before eating. Adjust spice levels if ordering at a local stall.

🍜 Tom Yum Noodle Soup (Central Thailand)

Region: Central Thailand

This version of Tom Yum includes noodles, making it more filling while keeping the signature spicy-sour flavor.

How to eat it:
Slurp the broth first, then enjoy the noodles. Add chili oil only after tasting.

🦐 Tom Yum Goong Soup with Rice (Central Thailand)

Region: Central Thailand

Tom Yum Goong is one of Thailand’s most iconic soups, made with shrimp, lemongrass, galangal, and lime leaves.

How to eat it:
Eat it alongside steamed rice to soften the intense flavors.

🍰 Mango Sticky Rice (Central Thailand)

Region: Central Thailand

This beloved dessert combines ripe mango, sweet sticky rice, and coconut milk.

How to eat it:
Mix rice and mango slightly for the best balance. It’s especially popular during mango season.

🥞 Kanom Krok (Central Thailand)

Region: Central Thailand

Kanom Krok are coconut pancakes cooked in cast-iron pans. Crispy on the outside and creamy inside, they’re a classic street food dessert.

How to eat it:
Eat them warm, in two-bite portions.

🍛 Panang Curry (Central Thailand) – Our Least Favorite

Region: Central Thailand

Panang curry is thick, rich, and mildly sweet. While many travelers love it, we personally found it heavier than other Thai curries.

How to eat it:
Best enjoyed with plenty of rice. Try a small portion if you’re new to Thai curries.

🛶 Our Visit to a Floating Market in Thailand

Visiting a floating market in Thailand was much more than a food experience. As we moved through the canals by boat, we discovered stalls selling hand-painted artwork, colorful souvenirs, local handicrafts, and even ice cream, all from small wooden boats and canal-side stands. Of course, there was plenty of food to taste, but what made the experience special was the mix of everyday life, creativity, and tradition. The floating market felt lively yet relaxed, making it a perfect place to wander, browse, and take in the atmosphere beyond just eating.

🚆 The Railway Market: A Unique and Adrenaline-Filled Experience

The Maeklong Railway Market was one of the most unique markets we’ve ever visited. The narrow railway track runs straight through the middle of the market, lined with stalls selling souvenirs, handcrafted items, clothing, and local products. As the sound of the approaching train echoed down the track, vendors calmly and skillfully pulled back their awnings and moved their goods to make way. Watching the train pass just inches away, then seeing the market instantly return to normal, was both thrilling and unforgettable—a true reminder of how daily life and tradition coexist in Thailand.

Top Culinary Day Tours in Bangkok

If you’re visiting Bangkok and want to combine food, culture, and local life, booking a tour is one of the best ways to see the city with an expert guide. Tours can help you discover hidden food gems, taste local favorites, and explore vibrant neighborhoods safely and confidently. Here are three highly recommended GetYourGuide experiences you might enjoy:

1️⃣ Bangkok: The Newest Luxury 5-Star Bangkok Chao Phraya Cruise

Experience Bangkok from a different perspective on the newest luxury 5-star Chao Phraya River cruise.  It’s a perfect way to unwind after a day of exploring the city and see Bangkok illuminated at night in true style. Get Your Guide

2️⃣ Bangkok: Floating Market and Train Market Experience

Visit the Maeklong Railway Market, famous for stalls pulled back as the train passes, then glide through the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market by boat — a vibrant and colorful cultural experience just outside Bangkok. Get Your Guide

3️⃣ Must-Try Hidden Bike & Food Experience

For active and curious travelers, this tour combines cycling through hidden alleys and local neighborhoods with tastings of delicious Thai dishes. You’ll meet locals, stop at food stalls and small eateries, and enjoy regional specialties you might otherwise miss. Get Your Guide

Tip: Booking tours ahead of time on GetYourGuide gives you flexibility with free cancellation and access to expert guides — especially useful in a big city like Bangkok where traffic and crowds are part of the adventure.

🏪 Must-Try Food From 7-Eleven in Thailand (Surprisingly Good)

One thing that surprises many travelers is how good the food at 7-Eleven in Thailand actually is. It’s affordable, everywhere, and perfect for quick meals between sightseeing stops. Our top recommendation is the chocolate lava cake, which you can heat in-store and enjoy warm within minutes. We also loved the squid snacks, a popular Thai snack with bold flavors, and the vitamin C drinks, which are refreshing and easy to grab on hot days. For something more filling, 7-Eleven offers ready-to-heat meals with rice, including chicken and pork options, ideal for a fast and satisfying bite while exploring Thailand.

🦗 Other Regional Foods in Thailand (For the Adventurous Eater)

Thailand’s food culture also includes dishes that reflect regional traditions and local protein sources. In some areas, especially in markets, you’ll find insects ready to eat, such as crickets or other crunchy snacks. While not everyone’s first choice, these foods are part of Thailand’s culinary heritage and are commonly enjoyed as street food in certain regions. Trying them is optional—but seeing them gives you a deeper understanding of how diverse Thai cuisine really is.

🌏 Why Trying Traditional Thai Food Matters

Traditional Thai dishes reflect local ingredients, regional history, and daily life. From northern noodle soups to central curries and street desserts, food tells the story of Thailand in every bite.

For additional travel information, travel guide, maps, hotels, accommodation, attractions, visit the Tourism Authority of Thailand 

✅ Conclusion

Exploring Thailand through its food is one of the most rewarding parts of traveling there. Whether you’re eating Pad Thai at a street stall, enjoying Khao Soi near a temple, or tasting coconut desserts at a local market, these dishes create memories that last far beyond the trip. If you’re planning your journey, make sure these traditional Thai dishes are part of your experience.

Ready to plan your trip?  Let us know which dish is your favorite in the comments below.

Enjoy!

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It’s a great source of practical tips, detailed maps, and cultural insights to help you plan your route and make the most of your time in the country. I especially like having a hard copy version, where I can take notes, mark places to eat, and keep everything handy while exploring Thailand.

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