When it comes to the best Thai food, I have good news and bad news.

The good news? After living in Thailand for more than three years in several stages, I've compiled a list of dishes (and places to eat them!) that goes far beyond the Khao San Road Pad Thai you've probably eaten many times before.

The bad news? Although I'm quite knowledgeable about Thai food, this list – and my knowledge – is constantly evolving. You'd probably have to travel to Thailand a dozen times to try everything. Tragic, I know!

Myths about Thai food debunked

Is Thai food always spicy? No, and as someone with a high spice tolerance, I find that a little disappointing. Only a little, though, because I really enjoy the wide variety of flavors in Thai cuisine. In fact, this is just one of the misconceptions many people have about Thai food (not to mention how many dishes in Thai restaurants in Europe, America, and even Asia you would never find in restaurants in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, or Phuket).

Another common misconception about authentic Thai cuisine is that "real" Thai food is somehow unattainable or that you have to seek out remote stalls in remote (and even dirty) street markets to find it. In fact, some of the most delicious and affordable Thai dishes can be found in the food courts of shopping malls in major Thai cities. These hidden gems combine the homemade flavor of street food with the hygiene (and air conditioning!) of modern shopping centers!

The best Thai food (except Pad Thai)

Jok (โจ๊ก) – Thai-style rice porridge

During my last stay in Bangkok, I loved visiting a nice woman's jok stall near Thanon Suan Phlu. She was a bit unreliable—I never knew if she'd actually be there—but she had the best jok in town; it was perhaps my favorite breakfast in the neighborhood. I especially loved how she cracked a raw egg into the hot, pork-based rice porridge, which then slowly cooked while I enjoyed it, spiced with ginger.

Khaaw Man Gai (ข้าวมันไก่) – Hainanese chicken rice

Another contender for the best Thai breakfast (at least in the area where I used to live) is Khaaw Man Gai, or Hainanese chicken rice. Although every country in Southeast Asia claims this dish as its own, I prefer the Thai version. It's typically served with a spicy dipping sauce (Nam Jim Jaew), but the real highlight is the fatty juices from the chicken (Man) that drip into the rice, flavoring it. Alternatively, you can opt for Khaaw Man Gai Tord, which is stir-fried.

Khaaw Mok Gai (ข้าวหมกไก่) – Thai style chicken biryani

Curious about Thai-Muslim cuisine? Whether in the food courts of Bangkok (more on that in a moment) or in the south (I once walked 2 km on Koh Samui to find some!), this Thai-style chicken biryani has a delicious, delicate flavor, especially when it's freshly prepared (and topped with fried onions)! Speaking of food courts: My favorite spot in Bangkok for Khaaw Mok Gai is Terminal 21 Mall, near the Asok BTS/Sukhumvit MRT station.

Som Tam (ส้มตำ) – Thai-style papaya salad

If, however, you're looking for typical Isaan cuisine, there's no more representative dish than the spicy papaya salad Som Tam, especially when served with Khaaw Niaw (sticky rice) and Gai Yang (grilled chicken). Can't travel to Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, or another city in Thailand's rugged northeast? You can find this dish almost everywhere in the country at street stalls—the best Som Tam in Bangkok is usually found at one of these stalls—and even in many upscale Thai restaurants.

Pad Grapraw Gai (ผัดกระเพราไก่) – Fried chicken with holy basil

Pad Grapraw Gai is by far my favorite Thai stir-fry dish. I especially love eating it on the street – and not just because Thais really take your request for "spicy, please!" seriously. The secret to a truly delicious Pad Grapraw Gai (Thais often don't pronounce words very clearly) is a fried egg (Kai Daaw) on top. In Bangkok, I love the yellow stall right in front of the BNH Hospital in Soi Convent!

Miang Kham (เมี่ยงคำ) – Shared starter plate

Although miang kham isn't necessarily (and exclusively) a staple of fine Thai cuisine, I see it more often served as an appetizer before a Thai meal in air-conditioned restaurants than on the street. What's stuffed into the leaves (traditionally betel leaves, although I particularly like the beautiful lotus petals used by the chili restaurant at Siam Paragon) varies, but toasted coconut flakes, shallots, or chili peppers are among the common ingredients.

Khaaw Niaw Ma Muang (ข้าวเหนียวมะม่วง) – Mango with sticky rice

The king of Thai desserts, mango with sticky rice, is something I don't indulge in too often. This is partly due to the price: while you can get this sweet, sticky treat at local stalls for 20 or 30 baht, in more touristy areas you can easily pay up to 200 baht. Be that as it may, wherever you eat Khaaw Niaw Ma Muang and however much it costs, make sure it's topped with plenty of ga-ti (coconut milk) and, if possible, toasted coconut flakes.

Fantastic food cities in Thailand

Where can you find the best food in Thailand? Apart from Bangkok, which as the capital of Thailand offers a wide cross-section of Thai cuisine, here are some of my other favorite cities for eating in Thailand:

  • Chiang Mai, the center of North Korean cuisine (unsurprisingly), is a place where you can always get a bowl of Khao Soi curry noodle soup.
  • Like Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai is a paradise for lovers of North Korean cuisine. My personal favorite among the locals is the Four Stars Restaurant near the Clown Tower.
  • While Udon Thani is not necessarily the only place in Isaan where you can get Gai Yang or Som Tam, due to the size of the city there are many opportunities to enjoy these dishes, especially at the night market near the train station.
  • As you might guess, there is a wide variety of Sukhothai noodles (gway-tiao Sukhothai) in Sukhothai, although I personally prefer the dry (haang) noodles to the noodles with soup (nam).
  • The pedestrian zone at the Sunday evening market in Phuket's old town is an excellent place to sample southern Thai cuisine, whether eating on the street or going to a local restaurant.

    • What is the fine dining scene like in Thailand?

    To be honest, most of the best meals I've ever eaten in Thailand cost less than 100 baht. That said, I don't want to dismiss good restaurants in Bangkok or fine dining in Thailand in general. On the other hand, since you can get so much great Thai food very cheaply, I usually spend the majority of my food budget on international cuisine in Bangkok (and throughout Thailand). Sometimes you just need a good burrito (or even a really good burger – they're surprisingly hard to find, given the questionable quality of beef in Thailand!).

    When it comes to recommended restaurants in Thailand, most of the best-known are located in the capital. For example, if you're visiting the old town of Rattanakosin, I recommend a boat trip to Thonburi. There, the Supatra River House has been my favorite restaurant for lunch and dinner for years, right on the river. Back in the new town, I can personally highly recommend the lunch menus at Celadon in the Sukhothai Hotel on Sathorn Road.

    Frequently asked questions about Thai food

    What is the most popular Thai dish?

    Pad Thai noodles are probably the most popular and widely eaten Thai dish worldwide. Other competitors include Gaeng Kiaw Wan Gai (green curry with chicken) and Cha Thai Yen (Thai iced tea with milk).

    Why is Thai food so popular?

    Thai cuisine is popular for three main reasons: A) A complex range of flavors with hot, sour, sweet, and salty aromas; B) Availability in cities and countries around the world; and C) The impression of being more "exotic" than other Asian cuisines, such as Chinese and Japanese.

    Is Thai food healthy or unhealthy?

    Many people believe that Thai food is generally healthy, but this isn't necessarily true. Popular Thai dishes like Pad Thai are deep-fried in oil, and many Thai main courses and desserts are prepared with coconut milk, which has a high fat and sugar content.

    Conclusion

    While one could argue that the best Thai food is what's local and fresh, I have some more specific recommendations for you. Whether you're staying in Bangkok or traveling north and south to the origins of my favorite Thai dishes, I've compiled a wide range of culinary adventures. From the spicy papaya salad Som Tam from Isaan to the Thai chicken biryani breakfast you're likely to enjoy at the street food stalls in Thailand's predominantly Muslim south, from Hat Yai to Satun. Want a Thailand trip that doesn't miss a single culinary challenge? Then let me create a bespoke Thailand itinerary for you—I'll take care of the details while you savor the heat of the chilies!