Explore Bangkok Thai Cuisine: Dive into 19 delectable Thai specialties you must savor in the heart of Thailand. Discover the flavors of Bangkok and indulge in authentic culinary delights!
Thailand’s vibrant capital is known not only for its impressive temples, bustling markets, and exciting nightlife.
The gigantic variety of culinary highlights is an absolute highlight on every Bangkok trip.
Because the city offers an absolute treasure trove of sweet and savory delicacies that will delight any foodie.
In this article, we take you on a culinary journey through the city streets and tell you about 19 Thai specialties you should try in Bangkok.
What makes Thai cuisine in Bangkok so special?
Bangkok is a melting pot of cultures – and, accordingly, of tastes. Here, Thai flavors meet Chinese, Indian, Malaysian, and many other Asian influences.
The result is a fantastic variety of dishes that range from hot and spicy to sweet and creamy.
If you want to experience different Thai specialties, Bangkok’s street markets are the best place. (Chatuchak Weekend Market is our recommendation).
They are at the heart of the local food culture and offer a seemingly endless selection of dishes, so you don’t have to limit yourself to just one or two.
From fragrant cookshop food to freshly prepared snacks like som tam (green papaya salad), gai yang (grilled chicken), moo ping (garnished pork skewers), and various desserts, there’s nothing here that you can’t find.
Our tip: This Bangkok Food Tour is perfect to learn more about Bangkok’s local cuisine, history, and culture.
During the tour, your guide will take you to a total of 6 tasting stations – enjoy delicious dishes and the city’s lively atmosphere.
Here, we show you the best street food tours in Bangkok.
But the City of Angels is also known for its top-notch restaurants (you’ll often find them in Bangkok’s luxury hotels) and cafes, which offer traditional Thai cuisine and modern dishes.
Last but not least, visiting the floating markets around Bangkok is also worthwhile. You can buy fresh products and local delicacies directly from the locals’ boats here.
The Floating Markets are a culinary paradise and a unique cultural experience. They are pretty rightly among the most famous Bangkok sights.
Here, we show you the best-floating markets in Bangkok.
Our tip: This organized floating market tour takes you to the Damnoen Saduak floating market early in the morning.
You will visit a traditional Thai house before taking a boat through the narrow canals to the market.
You will have enough time to soak up the atmosphere and try Thai dishes like Pad Thai, Mango Sticky Rice, boat noodles, or coconut ice cream sold along the canal.
19 Thai specialties you can’t miss in Bangkok
The culinary offer will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of your Bangkok trip.
Of course, you will also find plenty of Thai specialties on the islands and other regions of Thailand.
The diversity in the capital, however, can’t be topped. Here we present 19 Thai specialties that you should definitely try:
1. Tom Yum Goong
Tom Yum Goong is an iconic Thai dish known for its intense spice and delicious combination of shrimp, lemongrass, cilantro, and chili.
The spicy shrimp soup offers a taste experience of sour, spicy, and slightly sweet that delights the senses and is one of Thailand’s most popular dishes.
2. Pad Thai – Bangkok Thai Cuisine
Pad Thai is a popular Thai noodle dish known for its unique flavor and versatility.
It consists of fried rice noodles, eggs, tofu or shrimp, and a delicious mixture of soy sauce, tamarind, peanuts, and lime juice.
3. Gai Yang
Gai Yang is a delicious Thai grilled dish with marinated and grilled chicken.
The chicken is often marinated in a mixture of spices, garlic, coriander roots, and fish sauce before being grilled.
The result is a juicy, aromatic dish with a slightly smoky note. Gai Yang is a popular street food in Thailand.
Tip: Take a Michelin Guide street food tour by tuk-tuk.
You’ll explore the street food stalls in Bangkok recommended by the Michelin Guide and learn about the dishes for which they are particularly famous.
4. Som Tam / Papaya Salad
Som Tam, also known as green papaya salad, is a refreshing and spicy dish from Thailand. It comprises green papaya, chili, garlic, lime juice, fish sauce, and peanuts.
The ingenious combination of sweet, sour, and spicy makes Som Tam a popular street food and a culinary highlight in Thailand.
5. Hoy Tod
Hoy Tod is a popular Thai street food consisting of crispy oyster pancakes.
The oysters are dipped in a batter of rice flour, eggs, and spices and then deep-fried in hot oil until crispy and golden brown.
Hoy Tod is often served with sweet chili sauce and is one of the savory Thai specialties.
6. Green Curry
Green curry, or green curry, is a signature dish of Thai cuisine.
It consists of a creamy coconut milk base, green curry paste, and various ingredients, including chicken, vegetables, and fresh herbs.
The result is a spicy, aromatic, yet refreshing curry – and a real flavor explosion.
7. Massaman Curry
Massaman Curry is a delicious Thai curry dish with rich flavors and Middle Eastern influences.
It often includes tender meat (usually beef or chicken), potatoes, peanuts, and a rich, spicy sauce.
The savory and slightly sweet curry is often offered with shrimp, fish, or tofu.
8. Khao Pad / fried rice
Khao Pad, or fried rice, is a simple but delicious Thai dish. It consists of fried rice, eggs, and various ingredients such as vegetables, chicken, or shrimp.
Enhanced with soy sauce and spices, Khao Pad offers a harmonious taste experience that quickly becomes the favorite dish of many visitors.
9. Kuay Tiew – thai specialties
Kuay Tiew, also known as Thai rice noodle soup, is a hearty and versatile dish.
It consists of thin rice noodles served in a spicy broth, often with meat (such as beef or pork) or seafood.
Fresh herbs, lime, and chili give the soup an extraordinary depth of flavor.
10. Laab
Laab, or larb or laap, is a spicy meat salad from Thailand made from chopped meat (usually chicken or pork).
The mixture of fresh lime juice, fish sauce, chili, mint, and roasted rice powder gives laab its unique flavor.
Tip: This Bangkok street food tour takes you to Chinatown, where you’ll learn more about the neighborhood’s history and food scene from your local guide.
Besides delicious snacks like fish balls with noodles or fried dough sticks, you will also discover sights like Wat Mangkon.
11. Poh Pia Tod / Spring Rolls
Poh Pia Tod are crispy Thai spring rolls filled with a mixture of vegetables and glass noodles, and sometimes shrimp and ground meat.
They are deep-fried in a thin pastry shell until golden brown and crispy. Poh Pia Tod are often served with sweet chili sauce and are a popular snack and appetizer in Thailand.
12. Pla Wheel Prik
Pla Rad Prik is a delicious Thai dish with deep-frying fish (usually perch or snapper) in a spicy chili garlic sauce.
The fish is fried until crispy and then doused with the spicy sauce, which consists of chili, garlic, fish sauce, and tamarind. Pla Rad Prik is a taste experience of sweet, sour, and spicy.
13. Yam Talay
Yam Talay is a refreshing Thai seafood salad with lime juice, chili, fish sauce, and fresh herbs like mint and cilantro.
This hot and sour salad combines shrimp, squid, mussels, and other seafood for an intense taste experience with various textures and flavors.
14. Pad Krapow Moo
Pad Krapow Moo is a popular Thai stir-fry dish of minced pork stir-fried with basil and chili.
It is known for its spicy flavor and is often served with jasmine rice and a fried egg. The blend of spicy flavors makes it a popular street food in Thailand.
Tip: Here, we show you Bangkok’s best street food and night markets.
15. Moo Ping
Moo Ping is grilled pork skewers marinated in spices, coconut milk, and soy sauce.
The pork is grilled on skewers for a hearty, juicy flavor. This popular Thai street food is a spicy treat and a perfect snack or snack.
16. Wharf Jeow
Kai Jeow is a famous Thai omelet. It is prepared with eggs and often flavored with various ingredients such as scallions, tomatoes, chili, and fish sauce.
The omelet is fried in hot oil until golden brown and crispy. Kai Jeow is one of the simple but delicious specialties in Thailand.
17. Khao Soi
Khao Soi is a traditional northern Thai curry dish. It consists of egg noodles served in a creamy coconut curry soup, often with chicken, beef, or tofu.
The dish is topped with fresh ingredients like onions, limes, chili, and crispy fried noodles. Khao Soi is known for its rich flavors and textural variety.
Tip: Take a Michelin Guide street food tour by tuk-tuk.
You’ll explore the street food stalls in Bangkok recommended by the Michelin Guide and learn about the dishes for which they are particularly famous.
18. Kao Niew Ma Muang / mango sticky rice
Kao Niew Ma Muang – better known as Mango Sticky Rice – is a sweet and refreshing Thai dessert made with sticky rice, fresh mango, and sweet coconut milk.
The combination of sticky rice, sweet mango, and creamy coconut milk makes the dish incredibly delicious and filling.
19. Khanom Krok
Khanom Krok are small, round coconut pancakes baked in special pans.
The dough is made of rice flour, coconut milk, and sugar; the consistency is crispy on the outside and tender and creamy on the inside. They are sweet and often served as a snack or dessert in Thai markets.
Tip: This Bangkok street food tour takes you to Chinatown, where you’ll learn more about the neighborhood’s history and food scene from your local guide.
Besides delicious snacks like fish balls with noodles or fried dough sticks, you will also discover sights like Wat Mangkon.
Frequently asked questions about Bangkok Thai Cuisine.
Here, we answer some frequently asked questions about Bangkok Thai Cuisine.
What are the most famous Thai specialties in Bangkok?
The most famous Thai specialties in Bangkok Thai Cuisine are dishes like Pad Thai, Tom Yum Goong, Som Tam, Massaman Curry, Green Curry, and Gai Yang.
Where can you enjoy authentic Bangkok Thai Cuisine?
You can enjoy authentic Thai specialties at street markets, cookshops, restaurants and cafes in Bangkok.
What are the best street markets for Bangkok Thai Cuisine?
The best street markets for Bangkok Thai Cuisine are Chatuchak Weekend Market, Yaowarat (Chinatown), Asiatique The Riverfront, and the floating markets around the city.
What are some popular Thai desserts in Bangkok?
Popular Thai desserts in Bangkok include Mango Sticky Rice (Kao Niew Ma Muang), Khanom Krok, Roti, and Tub Tim Grob.
Which street food dishes should you definitely try in Bangkok?
You should definitely try street food dishes in Bangkok such as Pad Thai, Som Tam, Gai Yang, Moo Ping, Hoy Tod and Poh Pia Tod.
Which Thai specialties are particularly spicy?
Some Thai specialties that can be particularly spicy are Tom Yum Goong, Green Curry and Pad Krapow Moo.
Can you find vegetarian or vegan Thai specialties in Bangkok?
Yes, there are many restaurants and stalls in Bangkok that offer vegetarian and vegan Thai specialties, including curry varieties, spring rolls, Pad Thai and vegetable dishes.
What are the best times for street food in Bangkok?
The best times for street food in Bangkok are in the evening and at night, when the street markets and food stalls are open and the atmosphere is lively.
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Franzi is a long-term travel blogger, online editor, and content creator specializing in Tourism in Bangkok and Thailand.