By Introduction
Thailand is a country located in Southeast Asia. Thai cuisine is one of the most popular cuisines in the world. Thai food is known for its use of fresh ingredients, strong flavors, and complex spices. Thai dishes often include rice, noodles, vegetables, and meat.
Some of the most popular Thai dishes include pad thai, tom yum soup, green curry, massaman curry, and pineapple fried rice. Pad thai is a dish made with rice noodles, chicken or shrimp, vegetables, and peanuts. Tom yum soup is a hot and sour soup made with lemongrass, ginger, chili peppers, and fish sauce. Green curry is a coconut milk-based curry made with green chili peppers, Thailand basil leaves, and kaffir lime leaves. Massaman curry is a coconut milk-based curry made with potatoes, onions, peanuts, and beef or chicken. Pineapple fried rice is a dish made with rice that has been stir-fried with pineapple chunks, cashews, raisins, and fish sauce.
Popular Thai Foods
Thai food is gaining popularity all over the world. And it’s no wonder why! Thai cuisine is known for its balance of five flavors: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and spice. This unique blend of flavors can be found in popular Thai dishes like pad thai, green curry, and massaman curry.
If you’re new to Thai food, a good place to start is with pad thai. This dish is made with rice noodles, chicken or shrimp, vegetables, and a signature sauce made with tamarind paste, fish sauce, and palm sugar. Pad thai is typically served with a wedge of lime and crushed peanuts on top.
Green curry is another popular Thai dish that features a balance of sweet, sour, and spice. The base of this curry is made with green chilies, garlic, ginger, and onion simmered in coconut milk. Then it’s typically loaded up with vegetables like bell peppers and eggplant, as well as chicken or shrimp.
Finally, massaman curry is a must-try for anyone who enjoys Thai food. This curry gets its characteristic flavor from ingredients like cardamom pods, cloves, star anise, and cinnamon. These spices are simmered in coconut milk with potatoes and onions before being added to the protein of your choice (chicken or beef are most common).
1. Pad Kra Pao Moo
Pad Kra Pao Moo, or stir-fried pork with Thai basil, is one of the most popular dishes in Thailand. It is a simple dish that is packed with flavor, and can be made in minutes. Pad Kra Pao Moo is typically served with rice and a fried egg, and can be made as spicy or as mild as you like.
2. Gaeng Panang
Gaeng panang is a stir-fried curry that is typically made with chicken or beef, but can also be made with shrimp, pork, or tofu. The dish is usually served with rice and a side of vegetables. Gaeng panang is a popular dish because it is relatively easy to make and can be made with many different types of meat.
3. Pla Kapung Nueng Manao
Pla kapung nueng manao is a popular Thai dish made with steamed fish in a lime and chili sauce. It is often served with rice and vegetables. This dish is simple to make and can be made with any type of fish.
4. Khao Niew Mamuang
Khao Niew Mamuang, or Thai sticky rice with mango, is one of the most popular desserts in Thailand. The combination of sweet sticky rice and ripe mangoes is irresistible, and it’s no wonder this dish is so popular with both locals and tourists alike.
If you’re lucky enough to be in Thailand during mango season (March-April), then you absolutely must try this dish. The best sticky rice is cooked using traditional methods – wrapped in bamboo leaves and steamed over boiling water. Once cooked, the rice is then mixed with chunks of fresh mango and served as a dessert. It’s simple, yet incredibly delicious.
Whether you’re looking for a quick snack or a decadent dessert, Khao Niew Mamuang is sure to please. So next time you’re in Thailand, make sure to give this popular dish a try!
5. Moo Ping
Moo ping is a popular Thai dish made with grilled pork. The pork is marinated in a sweet and savory sauce, then grilled to perfection. Moo ping is often served with a dipping sauce, such as a sweet chili sauce or a peanut sauce. It can also be served with rice and vegetables.
6. Khao Pad
Khao pad is a popular Thai dish made with rice and vegetables. It is usually served with chicken or pork, and can be made with either white or brown rice. Khao pad is a healthy and hearty dish that is perfect for any meal.
7. Gaeng Massaman
Gaeng Massaman is a Thai curry that gets its unique flavor from a blend of spices including cardamom, cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon. The word “massaman” is actually derived from the Persian word for “cardamom”. This dish is often made with chicken or beef, but can also be made vegetarian.
Gaeng Massaman is usually served with steamed rice, but can also be enjoyed on its own. If you’re looking for a truly authentic Thai experience, this is one dish you don’t want to miss!
8. Gai Pad Med Ma Muang
For those who love peanuts, this dish is a must-try. Gai pad med ma muang is a fried chicken dish that is cooked with dry chilies, garlic, and roasted peanuts. The result is a slightly spicy and nutty dish that is absolutely delicious. This dish is typically served with steamed rice and a simple salad on the side.
9. Tom Yum Goong
Tom yum goong is a popular Thai soup that is typically made with shrimp. The soup is often quite spicy and is flavored with lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, and fish sauce. Tom yum goong is usually served with rice or noodles.
10. Sai Ooah
A popular street food in Thailand, sai ooah is a type of sausage typically made from pork and garlic. It is often grilled or fried and served with a dipping sauce.
11. Laab Moo
Laab Moo is a Thai dish that consists of minced pork that is cooked in a variety of spices and then served with rice. The dish is typically made with a combination of pork, beef, or chicken, but can also be made with fish or shrimp. Laab Moo is often served as a main course, but can also be eaten as an appetizer or side dish.
12. Kai Yad Sai
Kai yad sai is a popular Thai dish that consists of chicken, mushrooms, and onions stir-fried together and served over rice. This dish is often made with dark meat chicken, but you can use any type of chicken you like. The key to making this dish successfully is to get the chicken nicely browned before adding the other ingredients. Then, the mushrooms and onions are added and cooked until they are soft. Finally, everything is stirred together and served over steamed rice.
13. Durian
If you’re traveling to Thailand, you’ll definitely want to try some of the most popular Thai foods! And one food that you’ll see everywhere is durian.
Durian is a large, spiky fruit that grows in Southeast Asia. It’s often called the “king of fruits” because of its size and unique taste. Durian has a strong, pungent smell that some people love and others find incredibly offensive. But if you can get past the smell, durian is actually really delicious! It’s sweet and creamy with a hint of bitterness.
If you’re curious about trying durian, you can find it at most markets in Thailand. It’s usually sold by the pound, so you can buy as much or as little as you want. Durian is also used in a lot of Thai desserts, so if you have a sweet tooth, be on the lookout for dishes like durian ice cream or sticky rice with durian!
14. Tod Mun Pla
A fish cake dish originating from central Thailand, tod mun pla is a popular street food and appetizer. It is made with ground fish, green beans, garlic, red curry paste, and kaffir lime leaves. The mixture is shaped into small patties or balls, fried until golden brown, and served with a sweet chili sauce.
15. Tom Kha Gai
A coconut milk-based soup, Tom Kha Gai is flavored with galangal (a type of ginger), lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and chili peppers. Its sweetness comes from the addition of palm sugar, and it’s usually served with chicken.
16. Som Tam
Som tam is a popular Thai dish made with shredded green papaya, chili peppers, fish sauce, sugar, and lime juice. It is often served with sticky rice and grilled chicken.
17. Khao Soi
Khao soi is a coconut milk curry noodle soup that is popular in Northern Thailand. It is made with egg noodles, chicken, and a variety of spices. The soup is usually served with a side of pickled cabbage and lime wedges.
18. Gaeng Ped
Gaeng ped is a type of Thai curry that is typically made with chicken, pork, or beef. The word gaeng means “curry” in Thai, and ped means “red.” Gaeng ped is one of the most popular types of Thai curry, and it is often served with rice.
Gaeng ped is usually made with a red curry paste that is made from a variety of ingredients, including chili peppers, garlic, lemongrass, cumin, and coriander. The paste is then combined with coconut milk and water to create the curry sauce. Chicken, pork, or beef is added to the sauce, and the dish is usually served with rice.
Gaeng ped can be mild or spicy depending on the amount of chili peppers used in the paste. If you want a milder curry, you can request that your gaeng ped be made with less chili pepper paste.
19. Pad Thai
Pad Thai is a rice noodle dish that is stir fried with eggs, tofu, and vegetables. It is a popular street food in Thailand and is often served with a side of peanuts and lime wedges.
20. Pad See Ew
Pad See Ew is a stir-fried noodle dish that is popular in Thailand. It is made with rice noodles, chicken, and vegetables. The noodles are stir-fried in a wok with soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sugar. This dish is usually served with a side of pickled vegetables.
21. Poh Pia Tod
Poh Pia Tod is a fried spring roll that is popular in Thailand. The spring roll is filled with a variety of ingredients, including cabbage, carrots, and mushrooms. Poh Pia Tod is often served with a dipping sauce, such as sweet chili sauce.
22. Moo Satay
Moo satay is a popular Thai dish that is made with grilled pork and served with a peanut sauce. It is often served as an appetizer or as a main course.
Conclusion
With such a wide variety of delicious and unique dishes, it’s no wonder why Thai cuisine is so popular around the world. From spicy noodles to sweet desserts, there is something for everyone. Whether you are looking for a quick snack or a full meal, Thailand has plenty of options to choose from. With these most popular Thai foods in mind, your next trip to Thailand will surely be one filled with culinary delight!
