From fresh fruit to grilled meats, Thailand’s street food is a true feast for the senses. It plays a vital part to its cuisine scene by showcasing authentic flavours at an affordable price. So, say no more than aroy khap – it’s delicious! – and check out this ultimate street food guide to Thailand.
Pad Thai
It would be remiss of us to not begin with one of the most popular street food meals – pad thai. You can find this across Thailand, but it’s especially popular in Bangkok with locals and visitors alike. Rice noodles are stir-fried with egg, a protein like prawns or chicken, bean sprouts and tamarind sauce. Served with a sprinkle of crushed peanuts and a wedge of lime for a lick of sour to balance it out.
Som Tum
Look up the definition for a perfectly refreshing snack, and you’ll find som tum. It’s no wonder you can find this green papaya salad sold at beachside carts in northern Thailand. With a beautiful balance of spice, savoury, sour and crunch, each bite is a flavour bomb.
Khao Soi
Eating a bowl of khao soi is like a hug in a bowl with its creamy and rich flavour profile. Khao soi is a northern Thailand specialty – think Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai. The core components are egg noodles doused in a coconut milk-based curry soup, paired with chicken or beef and topped with crispy fried noodles. You can then customise your bowl with pickled vegetables, lime juice, shallots and/or coriander for some added pizzaz.
Mango sticky rice
With such tropical weather, mangoes flourish in Thailand. Mango season typically lasts from March to July; however, you can find them in different parts of the country outside of these months due to their climates. While mango eaten on its own is delicious, don’t miss trying mango served with sticky rice and coconut milk for an extra sweet hit.
Satay skewers
You’ll likely smell satay skewers before you see them, with the scent of grilled meat wafting through the air. Whether you’re in a city, or a more rural part of Thailand, there are plenty of street food vendors who sell skewers upon skewers. There’s something fun about using your hands to dip the skewers in peanut sauce before tearing off the juicy meat.
Roti
Often you may think of roti as a savoury accompaniment to a meal, however in the south of Thailand, you’ll find a delightfully sweet version. We adore this dessert – picture a flaky roti covered in banana, condensed milk and chocolate sauce.
Kuay Teow Rua (boat noodles)
As the name suggests, this street food is served from canal boats. Historically sold to people on shore or on other boats, you’ll find boat noodles mainly in and around Bangkok. Bangkok even has a special boat noodle alley which is a must-visit! Slurp up a heavenly bowl of rice noodles with an umami broth, topped with braised pork or beef.
Thailand is calling! Explore the street food scene on an Avalon Waterways Mekong cruise extension, or on a Globus or Cosmos tour.
