31 Thai Food Dishes That Are Authentic & VERY Tasty

Thai food is arguably one of the best cuisines. And when you visit Thailand and have the authentic dishes, it’s a completely different experience.

Now Thailand was the first Asian country I ever visited, and I can’t recommend the country, and its food, enough.

It was a country where I tried so many new and incredible Thai foods, explored the beautiful temples, walked through street markets, and also found myself in animal cafes. 😂

It really is a fun place to visit as a foodie destination, explore, and make incredible memories.

Now some of these are Thai dishes I’ve had, and others are going to be ones I need to check off the next time I visit Thailand.

And if you’re planning on visiting (or want to cook at home), then I’m gonna give you some suggestions on what to try when it comes to Thai cuisine.

---

31 Authentic Thai Foods

Whether you’re looking for some good Thai food recipes to make at home and try when in Thailand, I’m pretty sure you’ll find what you need in this list!

From popular Thai dishes to the lesser known, I hope you enjoy whatever recipe you choose to have!

Thai Curry Dishes

1. Kaeng Kari (Yellow Curry)

Kaeng kari, translating out as “curry curry,” is what you would say if you wanted to order yellow curry in Thailand.

And if you want to make it at home, then it’s suggested by the American Thai cook, Leela Punyaratabandhu, in her curry recipe, to look for kaeng kari paste specifically.

Apparently, kaeng kari paste, and jars of curry paste labeled as ‘yellow curry,’ are not the same.

But essentially, this type of curry is a mild, creamy, and tangy dish filled with meat, potatoes, and other veggies. It’s kind of like the perfect comfort food to have on a cold night. 👌

2. Phrik Kaeng Phet (Red Curry)

I remember the first time I had red curry in Thailand and it was such a surprise. 😂

I had made it at home and ordered it at Thai restaurants in America so many times.

But the first time I took a bite of it, I thought something like, “This is not what I was expecting.”

But it wasn’t a bad thing!

In fact, it was just really cool to have the authentic dish, instead of some random recipe I found on the internet.

It had this wonderful combinations of aromatic Thai basil, creamy coconut milk, savory curry, and veggies I hadn’t used for the dish before.

And if you want to make this Thai dish at home, then here’s a Phrik Kaeng Phet paste recipe you can try!

3. Kaeng Khiao Wan (Green Curry)

Again, I had a completely different experience when trying this in Thailand.

It had a strong, almost star anise flavor, combined with a nice creaminess from the coconut milk. It was a very comforting dish.

Of course, it will vary depending on who’s making it, but that was just my experience.

Now beyond the flavors, the history of this dish is also very interesting.

One of the first places this curry recipe was mentioned was by Khun Ying Plien Plassakornwong, who in the early 1900s, was a lady in waiting at the royal palace in Bangkok.

Also, when it comes to best practice with Thai culinary traditions, goat is used and it’s served with roti, a delicious flat bread. So I think it’s worth trying the authentic Thai food.

And lastly, here’s a link to a kaeng khiao wan recipe made by a chef from Thailand.

4. Massaman Curry

Massaman curry is one of my favorite traditional Thai dishes; it has so many good warm, rich flavors, and is incredibly savory!

But it’s also completely different than the others.

Being more mild, and taking on the flavors of cardamom and cumin, it’s a wonderful dish to try.

And if you make this Thai dish at home, then here are some suggestions as given by an American Thai cook I’ll link to below:

• Onions and potatoes are best when it comes to produce, use anything more, and it’s not good.
• Use meats that are more tough, and require slow cooking.
• Stick to the spices on the list. Don’t add things like Thai basil, fresh chillies, and other normal ingredients for dishes like red curry. This doesn’t work for massaman.
• Don’t overcook the potatoes.

Also, the massaman curry paste you can get at the store, is apparently pretty close to the original, so no worrying there!

Here’s a Massaman Curry Recipe to try at home. 😊

5. Panang Curry

I love panang curry, it’s a very rich, savory, and sweet Thai curry!

Made with no veggies, and lots of meat (normally beef), it’s a fun dish to have with a hot bowl of rice.

Also, it’s similar to red curry, but has ingredients like peanuts, cumin, and coriander.

So if you’re craving something super hearty, and a bit complex in flavor, then this is a great recipe to try!

Here’s a panang curry recipe that looks pretty tasty!

---

Thai Meat Dishes

6. Thai Fried Chicken

I remember the first time I had Thai fried chicken, and it was life changing.

And you’re probably thinking, “Ok, but it’s just a different version of fried chicken, what makes it so special?

A LOT.

The spices, the flour used, the perfect tenderness of the chicken.

It’s incredible.

I’m going to drop a Thai fried chicken recipe for you here to try at home (if you’re not going to Thailand anytime soon).

But just know that if you do visit Thailand, you can easily get it hot and fresh as street food, and it’s super tasty!

7. Gai Yang (Thai-Style Grilled Chicken)

Marinated Thai street food chicken.

Honestly, I feel tempted to just leave it at that, because it sounds incredible by itself.

Also, it’s made with at TON of flavorful ingredients.

So you’re using things like Thai lemongrass, cilantro, chilies, garlic, soy sauce, and so much more.

This Thai food really does sound amazing, and I’m wondering how I never had it when I visited Thailand.

Gai Yang (Thai-Style Grilled Chicken)

8. Pad Kra Pao

Basically, you’re getting a plate full of a meat stir fry, with flavorful holy basil, garlic, Thai chilis, and lime.

Also, it’s served with rice, and an egg on top which just sounds really good!

And while you might get some complex version of this Thai dish at a restaurant, I think this Pad Kra Pao recipe, that some call the ‘original’ version, might be a lot better!

9. Pad Krapow Gai (Thai Basil Chicken)

I love savory garlicky basil meat dishes, and this one looks really good!

Also, it’s been said to be the equivalent of a burger, or sandwich. It’s quick and easy, and something that Thai people grab for lunch.

Oh, and another authentic way of having it is with a fried egg, which sounds really good.

Here’s the original Pad Krapow Gai recipe I linked to, if you want to try it. But I also found a pad krapow recipe that was a bit more authentic, if you want to try that as well!

Both look pretty good and like they give you a burst of Thai flavors. 😊

10. Laab Moo

Laab is a Thai food that’s been described as a meat salad, so for people who love their meat dishes, this recipe is for you. 👌

Also, the recipe I link to down below includes flavors like….

• Pork
• Chili flakes
• Thai fish sauce
• Limes
• Shallots
• Fresh mint leaves

So you kind of just know that it’s going to be a dish packed with a ton of flavor. 👌

Laab Moo Recipe

11. Crying Tiger

Steak marinated in soy sauce, fish sauce, garlic, and oyster sauce, and then grilled and eaten with a tasty Thai dipping sauce.

I don’t know if I’ve ever had a beef dish this flavorful.

And coming from Norther Thailand, there are apparently plenty of stories as to why it’s called crying tiger beef.

But one of the stories I read was pretty cute!

It was said that tigers would come down into villages, kill their cows, but then just leave the brisket part behind.

The villagers would take the brisket, cook it, and say that if the tigers knew, they would cry that they were missing out on such an incredible feast.

I don’t care what other stories there are for this dish, I’m gonna say that this one is the best.

Here’s a recipe for Crying Tiger, if you want to try it at home!

12. Beef Satay

Coming from Indonesia, Thai beef satay is a well-known dish in a lot of countries.

It originally came made with beef since the predominantly Muslim Indonesia, couldn’t eat pork. 

And since then, pork satay has become a lot more popular Thai food dishes to try in Thailand. However, you can still find beef satay in different spots, and especially in Muslim neighborhoods.

Beef Satay Recipe

13. Khao Kha Moo

Khao Kha Moo is a slow braised pork leg on rice, and it looks like amazing Thai street food.

Apparently, it’s not spicy, and has a nice salty-sweet flavor. When you’re in Thailand, you can grab it at different food courts, and street vendors.

It looks like a very comforting and filling dish!

Khao Kha Moo Recipe

14. Pla Plao

I’m pretty sure I had this exact same traditional Thai fish recipe years ago and loved it!

Pla Plao is a whole grilled fish, that has a thick layer of salt crust. Also, it can be served with a Thai garlic chili seafood dipping sauce.

It could also be made with other types of fish as well, so it’s up to you and how you want to make it at home.

Pla Plao Recipe

15. Thai Chicken Satay

The majority of Thai people make satay with pork, and while you can find it made with chicken in Thailand, it’s not easy.

Now, if you’re not in the mood for pork, then here’s a chicken satay recipe you can try from a Thai food blogger.

It honestly looks pretty good! 👍

---

Thai Mixed Dishes

16. Pad Thai Noodles

Being one of the most famous Thai dishes, I love pad Thai!

But I’m gonna assume that the ones I’ve had so far aren’t authentic. So I really do look forward to trying a good authentic pad Thai when I visit Thailand next.

Also, according to a Thai cook (who I link to below), the best way to get pad Thai outside of Thailand, is in your own kitchen. Here are a few of her tips:

• Make sure to use a stir-fry wok, so that the noodles don’t come out wet, but more dry and a little smoky.
• Have a good balance of sweet, sour, and salty. Don’t have any one flavor being more strong that the others.
• Make sure to load it up with beansprouts to give the dish a nice freshness, and not make it super heavy.

Pad Thai Noodles Recipe

17. Pad See Ew

If you’re craving some fried noodles (like how I almost always do), then this Thai version might just hit the spot.

A dish you can commonly get as street food in Thailand, it includes ingredients like…

• Large flat noodles (the texture has to be amazing 👍).
• Dark soy sauce (super tasty and different than normal soy sauce).
• Garlic 🧄
• Chicken
• Egg
• Also some tasty toppings!

This dish can be traced back to China, and there are other versions of it in other Asian countries, but I think the Thai version sounds incredible.

Pad See Ew Recipe

18. Tod Mun Pla (Thai Fish Cakes)

I love fish cakes.

I’ve visited multiple Asian countries, and have really enjoyed trying so many fish cake recipes. And now I can’t wait to try the Thai version!

You can find this dish in many Thai restaurants and street vendors, and if you want to make it at home, it’s actually not too complicated!

I really like the method this cook uses for Tod Mun Pla, since she shows how to make it taste really good and fresh!

19. Kai Jeow Moo Sab (Thai Omelete)

A Thai pork omelette sounds like an amazing dish to make for breakfast, or at any time of the day. 

Being different than a western omelette, it’s deep-fried, and has tasty ingredients like soy sauce.

I’d personally love to try this with some rice, and if this sounds good to you too, then here’s a good recipe for Kai Jeow Moo Sab here .

20. Khao Pad (Thai Fried Rice with Shrimp)

Being super common at different street food stalls, and restaurants in Thailand, Thai fried rice can come with many different toppings.

Now one of the ways you’ll see it be made is with shrimp, and this version is called, khao pad.

Also, being made with wonderful flavors like chilis, Thai fish sauce, and oyster sauce, you know it’s gonna be packed with flavor.

So if you’d like to try the Thai version of shrimp fried rice, then here’s a good recipe for Khao Pad here.

21. Khao Mok Gai

Apparently being one of the top dishes in Thailand, Khao Mok Gai is the Thai version of chicken biryani (an Indian dish).

And with this dish, you’re getting marinated chicken, fried shallots, cinnamon, cardamom, and other amazing ingredients.

I love biryani, so I would love to try the Thai version of it! And here’s a recipe for Khao Mok Gai if you’re curious as well.

22. Khao Kluk Kapi

Coming from Central Thailand, Khao Kluk Kapi is another version of Thai fried rice, but this time it’s made with shrimp paste.

Coming with lots of different sides and toppings such as green mango, pork, and sausage, it sounds like a really delicious Thai dish to try!

Khao Kluk Kapi recipe

23. Gai Hor Bai Toey

Originally from Bangkok, you’re getting chicken that’s wrapped in pandan leaves.

It has typical ingredients like white pepper, garlic, and palm sugar, so I’m definitely up for trying this dish.

And if you want to serve up this restaurant-style Bangkok dish, then here’s a good recipe for Gai Hor Bai Toey here.

24. Jok

If you like congee, or rice porridge, then you might like trying the Thai version called, jok.

It’s a breakfast dish, but you can have it at any time of the day.

Also, it’s very flavorful with ingredients like soy sauce, chicken stock, fish sauce, and white pepper. And if that sounds amazing to you too, then here’s a good recipe for jok here.

25. Som Tum

Som Tum is a Thai green (unripe) papaya salad, that you can eat with sticky rice, and it sounds super refreshing. 👌

You’ll see it being prepped with ingredients like palm sugar, peanuts, lime juice, and tamarind juice. And to be honest, this sounds like the perfect dish to make for a hot day.

Som Tum Recipe

---

Thai Soup and Side Dishes

26. Tom Kha Gai

Tom kha gai is a comforting coconut milk soup, made with chicken and tasty herbs.

Apparently, it’s one of the most popular Thai soups in different countries. But in Thailand itself, instead of chicken, they typically make it with different meats like fish, or seafood.

Now if this sounds like a very delicious dish to you, then here’s a recipe for tom kha gai here.

27. Khao Soi

If you’re wanting some good authentic Thai dishes to try, then khao soi is a great one to try!

Coming from the north of Thailand, it’s a popular curry noodle soup. And apparently, it’s so popular that some think you didn’t even visit Northern Thailand, if you didn’t have this dish.

It has a nice creamy coconut curry broth, can be made with chicken or beef, and it’s topped with deep fried crispy noodles. Yum.

It sounds like a perfectly satisfying dish to grab. Can’t wait to try it!

Khao Soi Recipe

28. Khao Niao (Thai Sticky Rice)

A very common Thai recipe, it’s chewier and more dense than normal white rice. Also, it’s nice to pair with different meat dishes, or to have in desserts like mango sticky rice.

Also, being made with long grain sticky rice, and in a bamboo cone steamer, it has a super satisfying texture, and it’s worth making. Definitely give this foundational Thai recipe a try!

Khao Niao Recipe

29. Tom Yum

Being one of the most popular Thai foods, and a soup I’ve seen in basically every country I’ve ever visited, it’s a great first-time Thai dish to try.

It’s a bold, hot and sour soup, with yummy Thai ingredients like lemon grass and kaffir lime leaves.

Also, it can be made with seafood (like shrimp) or meat.

And whether you’re having it at a nice Thai restaurant or at a street side eatery, I think you’re going to like it.

Tom Yum Recipe

---

Thai Desserts

30. Khao Niao Mamuang (Mango Sticky Rice)

Probably the most famous Thai dessert, it’s incredibly creamy, sweet, and fresh.

Also, if you want to make this at home, then I highly recommend getting nam dok mai mangoes, if at all possible.

I thought I knew what a good mango was, until I had this type in Thailand.

They’re these super soft and sweet golden mangos, that go with so many dishes!

But getting back to mango sticky rice, it’s a tasty dessert served with sliced mango, glutinous rice, coconut milk, and palm sugar.

And if you wanna try this classic traditional Thai dish at home, then here’s an authentic recipe for mango sticky rice.

31. Kluai Buat Chi

Kluai Buat Chi is a super simple Thai cuisine food that consists of bananas and coconut milk.

And being made with palm sugar, it sounds incredibly sweet and delicious!

Also, if you can, try looking for Thai bananas at your Asian grocery store, to get a more authentic experience.

Kluai Buat Chi Recipe

---

What is Typical Thai Food?

I feel that one of the main dishes a lot of people think of when it comes to Thai food are creamy coconut curries or pad Thai.

However, I’ve found and learned that traditional Thai dishes are so much more than that since it sits at one of the culinary crossroads in Asia.

And depending on the region you’re visiting, you can have Thai cuisines and dishes that have been influences by countries such as…

• Indonesia, India, and Malaysia, which have influenced the south with ingredients such as coconut milk and turmeric.
• Laos, Burma, and China, who have influenced northern Thai food cuisine with certain noodle dishes, glutinous rice, and different spicy curries.
• Vietnam which has some culinary influences in parts of eastern Thailand.
• Western influences from Portugal and Spain who brought over ingredients like chilis and tomatoes.

Also, you’ll be seeing a lot of changes depending on the climate, geography, and cultural history.

So as you can see, the answer to the question isn’t so simple.

I could say something like, “Well there’s a lot of different curries, rice and Thai noodle dishes, and soups,” but that just wouldn’t cover all the regional variations.

Thailand is a complex and diverse country when it comes to food. And it is so worth exploring!