Planning your first trip to Thailand? This guide introduces 14 must-try Thai dishes, from Pad Thai to Tom Yum Goong, with simple descriptions and spice levels to help you choose what to eat.
You’ll also learn useful Thai phrases for ordering food and asking for less spice, making it easier to enjoy Thai cuisine during your trip.
14 Must-Try Thai Dishes and Their Spice Levels
Thai cuisine offers a wide variety of flavors, from sweet and savory noodle dishes to aromatic curries and spicy soups. If you are visiting Thailand for the first time, knowing what each dish tastes like and how spicy it can be makes ordering food easier.
This guide introduces 14 popular Thai dishes, with simple descriptions and spice-level ratings to help you find dishes that suit your taste.
Thai Food Guide: Dishes and Spice Levels at a Glance
Here is a quick guide to 14 classic Thai dishes and their typical spice levels. Spice levels can vary depending on the restaurant, recipe, and amount of chili used.
| Thai Dish | What Is It? | Spice Level |
|---|---|---|
| Pad Thai | Stir-fried rice noodles with a sweet and tangy sauce | 🌶 ★☆☆ |
| Kuay Teow | Thai noodle soup with a choice of noodles and broth | 🌶 ★☆☆ |
| Khao Man Gai | Thai chicken rice with a dipping sauce | 🌶 ★☆☆ |
| Pad Kra Pao | Stir-fried meat with Thai holy basil and chili, served with rice | 🌶🌶🌶 ★★★ |
| Khao Pad | Thai fried rice with meat or seafood and egg | 🌶 ★☆☆ |
| Khao Soi | Northern Thai curry noodle soup with coconut milk | 🌶🌶 ★★☆ |
| Tom Yum Goong | Hot-and-sour shrimp soup | 🌶🌶🌶 ★★★ |
| Tom Kha Gai | Coconut milk soup with chicken and herbs | 🌶 ★☆☆ |
| Massaman Curry | Aromatic coconut curry with spices | 🌶 ★☆☆ |
| Green Curry | Thai curry made with green chilies and coconut milk | 🌶🌶🌶 ★★★ |
| Pu Pad Pong Curry | Stir-fried crab with egg and curry powder | 🌶 ★☆☆ |
| Som Tam | Spicy green papaya salad | 🌶🌶🌶 ★★★ |
| Moo Ping | Grilled pork skewers with a sweet and savory marinade | 🌶 ★☆☆ |
| Gai Yang | Thai-style grilled chicken seasoned with herbs and spices | 🌶 ★☆☆ |
Spice levels are general guidelines for typical preparations. Actual heat may vary by restaurant and recipe.
Noodle Dishes: Pad Thai and Kuay Teow
Thai noodle dishes are popular choices for travelers because they offer a variety of flavors and textures. Pad Thai is a stir-fried noodle dish, while Kuay Teow usually refers to Thai noodle soup.
Pad Thai (Thai Stir-Fried Noodles)
Pad Thai is a classic Thai stir-fried noodle dish made with rice noodles, shrimp, egg, and vegetables. Its signature sauce combines sweet and tangy flavors, often with tamarind. Crushed peanuts and lime are commonly served on the side.
Pad Thai is often mild when served without added chili, making it a good introduction to Thai cuisine. You can find it everywhere, from street food stalls to restaurants.
Spice level: ★☆☆ Mild
Kuay Teow (Thai Noodle Soup)
Kuay Teow is a popular Thai noodle dish, commonly served as soup with a choice of noodles, broth, and toppings. Depending on the shop, you may find clear broth, rich pork-based soup, or other regional variations.
You can often customize your bowl with different noodle types, meat, and seasonings. Chili and other condiments are usually available separately, so you can adjust the flavor to your preference.
Spice level: ★☆☆ Mild, depending on the broth and seasonings
Rice Dishes: Classic Thai Meals
Rice is a staple of Thai cuisine, and rice-based dishes range from simple comfort food to spicy stir-fries. These options are easy to find at food courts, local restaurants, and street food stalls.
Khao Man Gai (Thai Chicken Rice)
Khao Man Gai is Thai chicken rice made with tender poached chicken served over rice cooked in chicken broth. It usually comes with a flavorful dipping sauce containing ingredients such as ginger, garlic, and soybeans.
The chicken and rice are generally mild, although the sauce may contain chili. It is a popular choice if you prefer a simple meal without much spice.
Spice level: ★☆☆ Mild
Pad Krapow (Thai Basil Stir-Fry)
Pad Kra Pao is a stir-fry made with Thai holy basil, garlic, chili, and minced meat, commonly pork or chicken. It is usually served over rice and often topped with a fried egg.
The dish is known for its savory flavor and fragrant basil, but it can be quite spicy because of the chilies. If you prefer less heat, ask for less chili when ordering.
Spice level: ★★★ Spicy
Khao Pad (Thai Fried Rice)
Khao Pad is Thai fried rice cooked with ingredients such as egg, garlic, vegetables, chicken, pork, or shrimp. It is typically seasoned with fish sauce or soy sauce and often served with cucumber and lime.
Khao Pad is generally mild and familiar in flavor, making it a convenient option if you want a simple Thai meal without strong spices.
Spice level: ★☆☆ Mild
Soups and Curries: Popular Thai Flavors
Thai soups and curries are known for their fragrant herbs, rich coconut milk, and balance of spicy, sour, and savory flavors. Some are creamy and mild, while others have a pronounced chili heat.
Khao Soi (Northern Thai Curry Noodles)
Khao Soi is a famous Northern Thai curry noodle soup, particularly associated with Chiang Mai. It features egg noodles in a fragrant curry broth made with coconut milk, usually topped with crispy fried noodles.
It is often served with lime, pickled mustard greens, shallots, and chili oil on the side. The broth is rich and aromatic, and the spice level depends on the recipe and how much chili oil you add.
Spice level: ★★☆ Mild to medium
Tom Yum Goong (Thai Hot-and-Sour Shrimp Soup)
Tom Yum Goong is Thailand’s well-known hot-and-sour shrimp soup. Lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, lime juice, and chilies create its distinctive combination of citrusy aroma, sourness, and heat.
Some versions are very spicy, while others have a more balanced flavor. If you are sensitive to chili, ask for a milder version before ordering.
Spice level: ★★★ Spicy
Tom Kha Gai (Thai Coconut Chicken Soup)
Tom Kha Gai is a coconut milk soup made with chicken, galangal, lemongrass, and other aromatic ingredients. Coconut milk gives it a creamy texture, while lime adds a gentle tang.
Compared with Tom Yum Goong, Tom Kha Gai is generally creamier and milder. It is a good option if you want to enjoy the flavors of Thai herbs without intense chili heat.
Spice level: ★☆☆ Mild
Massaman Curry (Thai Coconut Curry)
Massaman Curry is a rich Thai curry with influences from South Asian and Malay cooking traditions. It commonly contains coconut milk, potatoes, onions, and chicken or beef, along with fragrant spices.
Its flavor is typically savory, mildly sweet, and less fiery than many other Thai curries. This makes it an appealing choice for travelers who prefer a gentle curry.
Spice level: ★☆☆ Mild
Green Curry (Thai Green Chili Curry)
Green Curry, or Gaeng Keow Wan, is a Thai curry made with green chili paste and coconut milk. It often contains chicken, Thai eggplant, and fragrant herbs, served with steamed rice.
Although the coconut milk gives it a creamy texture, green curry can be surprisingly spicy because of the green chilies. The heat varies by restaurant, so ask about the spice level if you prefer milder food.
Spice level: ★★★ Spicy
Pu Pad Pong Curry (Stir-Fried Crab with Egg and Curry Powder)
Pu Pad Pong Curry is a Thai crab dish stir-fried with egg, curry powder, and seasonings. Some versions also use milk or evaporated milk to create a smooth, creamy sauce.
The combination of crab, egg, and aromatic curry seasoning gives the dish a rich flavor. It is often milder than chili-heavy Thai curries, although recipes vary.
Spice level: ★☆☆ Mild
Appetizers and Street Food Snacks
Thai street food includes plenty of grilled dishes and fresh salads that work well as snacks or as part of a larger meal. These options offer a different way to explore Thai flavors beyond noodles and rice dishes.
Som Tam (Thai Green Papaya Salad)
Som Tam is a Thai green papaya salad made with shredded unripe papaya, tomatoes, lime juice, fish sauce, and palm sugar. Garlic and chilies are commonly pounded together with the other ingredients, creating a refreshing mix of sour, sweet, salty, and spicy flavors.
The amount of chili can vary considerably, and some versions are extremely spicy. If you prefer less heat, ask for less chili or no chili.
Spice level: ★★★ Can be very spicy
Moo Ping (Thai Grilled Pork Skewers)
Moo Ping is Thai grilled pork served on skewers. The pork is marinated in a sweet and savory mixture before being grilled, creating a fragrant, slightly smoky flavor.
You will often find Moo Ping at morning markets and street food stalls, sometimes served with sticky rice. It is a convenient snack or quick breakfast and is generally not spicy.
Spice level: ★☆☆ Mild
Gai Yang (Thai Grilled Chicken)
Gai Yang is Thai-style grilled chicken seasoned with a mixture of herbs, garlic, and other seasonings. The chicken is marinated before grilling, giving it a fragrant aroma and savory flavor.
It is often served with sticky rice and a dipping sauce. The chicken itself is usually mild, although some dipping sauces can be spicy.
Spice level: ★☆☆ Mild
How to Order Thai Food: Spice Levels and Cilantro
Thai food can range from mild and savory to very spicy. Learning a few simple Thai phrases can help you communicate your preferences when ordering at restaurants and street food stalls.
How to Ask for Less Spicy Thai Food
If you prefer mild food, you can ask for less chili or request a dish without chili.
| Thai Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Mai phet (ไม่เผ็ด) | Not spicy, please. |
| Phet nit noi (เผ็ดนิดหน่อย) | A little spicy, please. |
| Mai sai prik (ไม่ใส่พริก) | Please don’t add chili. |
Tip: Mai phet means “not spicy,” but some dishes may still contain chili or spicy ingredients. If you want to avoid chili, use mai sai prik instead. You can also show the Thai phrase on your phone when ordering.
How to Order Thai Food Without Cilantro
If you do not like cilantro, you can ask for it to be left out.
Mai sai phak chi (ไม่ใส่ผักชี) means “Please don’t add cilantro.”
Cilantro may be used as a garnish or included in certain dishes, so it is helpful to mention your preference when ordering. Note that this phrase refers to cilantro leaves and does not necessarily exclude other herbs or seasonings.
Tips for Choosing Mild Thai Dishes
If you are new to Thai food or prefer less spicy meals, start with dishes that are usually mild, such as:
- Pad Thai: Sweet and tangy stir-fried rice noodles.
- Khao Man Gai: Poached chicken served with seasoned rice.
- Khao Pad: Thai fried rice with egg, meat, or seafood.
- Tom Kha Gai: Creamy coconut milk soup with chicken.
- Massaman Curry: A fragrant curry with a rich, mildly sweet flavor.
Spice levels vary by restaurant, so ask before ordering if you are sensitive to chili. You can also choose dishes where chili and other seasonings are served separately.
Where to Eat Thai Food in Thailand
Thailand offers several ways to enjoy local cuisine, from convenient shopping mall food courts to street food stalls and full-service restaurants.
Your best option depends on your budget, preferred atmosphere, and the kind of dining experience you want.
Food Courts: An Easy Way to Try Thai Food
Shopping mall food courts are a convenient starting point for first-time visitors. They offer a range of Thai dishes, often alongside other Asian and international food options.
Many food courts display menus with photographs, and some use prepaid cards or stored-value cards for payment. Check the payment system when you arrive, as procedures vary by location.
Best for: Travelers who want to compare different dishes in one place and enjoy a casual meal in an air-conditioned setting.
Street Food Stalls and Local Restaurants
Street food stalls and local eateries are part of everyday food culture in Thailand. You can find noodle soups, grilled meat skewers, fried rice, and many regional specialties.
Menus and ordering procedures vary, and English may not always be available. Having the dish name or a picture ready on your phone can make ordering easier. Check food handling, cleanliness, and how freshly the food is prepared when choosing a stall.
Best for: Travelers who want to explore local flavors and try everyday Thai dishes.
Restaurants: A Comfortable Dining Option
Restaurants are a good choice for a sit-down meal, especially when you want more time to explore the menu or dine with friends. Options range from casual Thai eateries to upscale restaurants specializing in regional cuisine.
Menus may include English descriptions or photographs, and staff may be able to explain ingredients and adjust spice levels. For popular restaurants or larger groups, check whether a reservation is recommended.
Best for: Travelers looking for a relaxed meal, a wider menu, or a more leisurely dining experience.
Frequently Asked Questions About Thai Food
Conclusion: Discover Your Favorite Thai Dishes
Thai cuisine offers much more than spicy food. From Pad Thai and Khao Man Gai to fragrant curries and grilled street food, there are plenty of dishes to suit different tastes.
Use the spice-level guide to choose what to try, and remember a few simple Thai phrases to make ordering easier. Whether you eat at a shopping mall food court, a local eatery, or a restaurant, exploring Thailand’s food is a great way to experience the country’s diverse flavors.
