One of the joys of travelling around Thailand is the chance to try different regional dishes. First-time visitors are often surprised by the diversity of the food in the various regions. While staple dishes like pad Thai and pad kaprao can be found across the country, each region also has their own speciality dishes. To tempt your tastebuds, we’ve put together a selection of regional dishes to try on your next trip to Thailand.
Bangkok and Central Thailand
As you might expect from the largest city in Thailand, you can find dishes from all over the country in Bangkok. There are, though, a variety of dishes which are associated with Bangkok and the Central region where the capital is located. These are probably the most famous Thai dishes because they feature on the menus of Thai restaurants across the world. Dishes like tom yam kung (spicy shrimp soup), tom kha gai (chicken in coconut milk soup) and the eternal favourite, kaeng khiao wan (sweet green curry)
A traditional sweet green curry can be made with various ingredients such as chicken, pork, or beef. It typically includes pea aubergines, coconut cream, fish sauce, and curry paste, and is garnished with basil leaves and chillies. Kaeng khiao wan gai (green curry with chicken) is the most common version and is often served as part of a shared meal rather than as an individual dish. Try this dish in Thailand and see how it compares to the version you may have tried elsewhere.
Chiang Mai and North Thailand
Large areas of North Thailand were once part of the independent kingdom of Lanna. This region boasts a distinctive culinary tradition influenced by neighbouring Burma, Laos, and southern China. If you visit North Thailand, our pick for the must-try dish is khao soi.
(Photo: Roy Cavanagh)
Khao soi is a delightful blend of soft egg noodles immersed in a rich curry broth, accompanied by a choice of chicken, pork, or beef, and garnished with crispy fried noodles. You’ll find this dish at restaurants across the north including Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Mae Hong Son. Khao soi is typically eaten as a lunchtime dish with an average price of around 50-60 Baht per bowl.
Isaan, North-East Thailand
In a country known for its spicy cuisine, the North East region of Isaan is famous for elevating spiciness to new heights. Of all the dishes to be found in Isaan, it is som tam which is undoubtedly the most famous. This chilli-packed papaya salad can be found on menus across the country, so even if you don’t make it to Isaan on your travels you can still try it elsewhere in Thailand.
If you see a food vendor with a mortar and pestle, there’s a fair chance they will have som tam for sale. The key ingredient is unripe green papaya, which is mixed with chillies, green beans, peanuts, dried shrimps, lime juice, and tomatoes. It’s a simple dish prepared in a rustic manner, resulting in an explosion of flavours: sour, spicy, sweet, and savoury. Order som tam with gai yang (grilled chicken) and khao niao (sticky rice) for a classic Thai food combination.
Chanthaburi and East Thailand
The east of Thailand, and Chanthaburi in particular, is renowned for its fruit orchards. This means that fruit is often used creatively in the regional cuisine. Seafood also features alongside herbs and vegetables, but for our selection we’ve opted for a dish which you may struggle to find anywhere other than Chanthaburi and Trat in Eastern Thailand: kaeng massaman durian (massaman curry with durian).
The eastern region of Thailand is particularly famous for the quality of durians produced here. The so-called ‘King of Fruits’ can have a pungent smell and can be an acquired taste, but is given a new dimension when added to dishes like massaman curry. A unique sweet and savoury dish and one to look out for in your travels along Thailand’s East Coast.
Ko Samui and Gulf Coast
Ko Samui is located in the province of Surat Thani and this corner of Thailand is well-known for its seafood dishes. One of the most famous of these for Thai people is a seafood curry known as kaeng som. On the mainland, kaeng som can be exceptionally fiery. However, on Ko Samui the same dish tends to be more mellow thanks to the addition of coconut which the island is famous for.
This spicy and sour yellow-orange soup will wake up the taste buds. Kaeng som, a beloved dish in southern Thailand, combines fish, curry paste, turmeric, bamboo shoots, and green papaya. It’s a go-to choice for many local people in Ko Samui and Surat Thani and is worth trying if you want to experience authentic regional cuisine.
Phuket and Andaman Coast
With a long history of migration from various parts of Asia, the Andaman Coast region of Southern Thailand is an assortment of cultures. This cultural diversity is evident in the wide range of cuisine found in the region, which is influenced by flavours from China, India, and Malaysia. Travellers exploring the Andaman Coast provinces can expect to savour a delightful variety of dishes. The local food tends to be less spicy compared to other parts of Thailand and that is the case for our selection for this region: Hokkien mee.
(Photo: Luke Charny)
Hokkien mee consists of chewy egg noodles, red-tinged char siu barbecue pork, squid and prawns, and Chinese cabbage. A smoky sauce made from soy, white pepper, and pork broth gives it a wonderful flavour. Be sure to add the optional soft-poached egg.
