The Best Thai Street Food: Your Delicious Guide

Thailand is a beloved travel destination for many reasons, one of which is the abundance of delicious street food. Although the most famous place for Thai cuisine is Bangkok — which has certainly earned a place on this list — it’s worth exploring other areas, too. When it comes to finding the best Thai street food, not only is there the potential to go off the beaten path, but you may well discover something you might not have tried otherwise.

Where to Go for the Very Best Thai Street Food

Bangkok

We had to start this list with Bangkok. Thailand’s capital has no shortage of stalls, so you won’t struggle to find somewhere to eat.

Street food was first introduced in an area of Bangkok called Chinatown, so it makes sense to start there. Look out for classic dishes like rice and noodles, or why not try an oyster omelette? Meanwhile, Banglamphu is ideal if you’re a fan of seafood, thanks to the tasty fish cakes.

You can’t visit the capital without sampling the national dish, Pad Thai. You can find it on pretty much every street corner, but if you want the very best version, grab a place in the queue for Pad Thai Thip Samai, which is Michelin-rated and serves their version of the dish with prawns, crab, squid and mango.

(If you miss it when you get home, try this recipe for fifteen-minute Pad Thai to satisfy your cravings.)

Got a sweet tooth? Try kanompang sankaya — toasted custard bread with an orange Thai tea filling.

Chiang Mai

Foodies were first made aware of Chiang Mai’s cuisine by celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain, who sang the praises of a dish called khao kha muu. Khao kha muu consists of stewed pork leg, rice, hard-boiled egg, garlic and chillies. The best version is made by a woman known only as Cowboy Hat Lady, whose stall is across the road from Chang Phuek Gate.

More adventurous eaters will be pleased to hear that Chiang Mai really delivers. Roasted snails are a popular snack, or you could dig into a spicy raw ant egg salad (yes, really!). Made up of raw ant eggs, lemongrass, spring onion, and chilies, it’s a delicacy with a surprisingly sweet flavor.

Phuket

Phuket is known more for its balmy, tropical climate and stretches of beautiful, sandy beaches than for its developing culinary scene. However, pay attention to the food available, and your stomach will thank you.

As well as tasty Thai food (think tender grilled satay, banana pancakes, and sticky rice and mango), Phuket also offers an eclectic mix of dishes from other cultures, courtesy of the people who choose to emigrate there.

Influences on Phuket’s Cuisine

• China can claim credit for the noodle dish Hokkien mee, where yellow egg noodles are topped with strips of meat or fish such as shrimp.
• You can buy fresh roti, a type of Indian bread, from street food stalls.
• Malay curries are also a popular choice, and the variety of meats and spices means there’s something for every taste.

Dishes You Can Find Everywhere

Guay Teow

This noodle soup has the same base of meat stock and noodles, but vendors will add different meats and vegetables depending on their tastes, plus healthy helpings of chilli peppers, lime juice, fish sauce and sugar.

Poh Pia Tod/Pa Pia Sod

Spring rolls like you’ve never tasted them before. Poh pia tod are deep fried, while pa pia sod are served fresh. Both are equally delightful.

Som Tam

Som tam is a salad, but not as you know it. Green papayas are shredded, then mixed with tomatoes, garlic, peanuts and chilli peppers and topped with shrimp. 

Remember, no matter where you end up or what you end up eating, look for the stalls where the locals are lining up — a surefire sign the food is excellent. (Be sure to keep your valuables safe while you’re waiting; according to 1Cover, theft is the most common crime experienced by tourists in Thailand.)

Have you tried Thai street food before? Where would you recommend we go? Let us know in the comments!

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