At the mention of Thai food, the most popular dishes that are likely to come to mind are things like pad Thai and spring rolls. While these are two of the more popular dishes to come out of Thailand, there's so much more to this incredible cuisine than just that. And we're not just talking about the dishes that exist in Thailand's restaurants, we're talking about food that can be found by simply walking down the street.
Some of the best meals a person could ever have in Thailand are those that are made, quite simply, out in the open. Travelers who have been to this beautiful country are probably quite familiar with the sheer size of the street markets that occur, as well as the delicious scents that waft through the air at all times of the day. This is why street food is so popular in Thailand, and why travelers should be taking advantage of it.
The Culture Of Street Food In Thailand
It's pretty challenging to walk through Thailand and not notice that there's food practically everywhere. Whether it's at an outdoor market or coming from a food vendor on a city street, there's no getting away from it. Sometimes, travelers are hesitant to try street food in another country because it's just something that's entirely unfamiliar, but Thailand is not a place where this fear should exist. Some of the most popular foods in the country come from vendors who have been cooking traditional dishes for decades, and they're entirely worth trying.
There are two benefits to eating the food in Thailand: The first is that it's so cheap that many people can afford to eat out more often, which is why street food is so popular. The second is that it's convenient since there are many homes in Thailand that either don't have kitchens or don't have kitchens large enough to feed family and friends. Therefore, it's not uncommon to see groups of people eating street food together and just having a good time - it's part of the culture!
What To Expect When Trying Thai Street Food
Newcomers to Thailand should ready their palate for just about anything because just about anything can be found on this country's streets. Traditionally, the bigger the street - or sois - is, the more street food vendors can be found. This is a great rule of thumb for those trying these foods for the first time, as a larger street will provide many more options. It's pretty easy to find streets such as these in places like Bangkok and Phuket, but it might take a bit more work for those staying in smaller cities or towns. If nothing else, it's definitely worth a visit to Bangkok just to sample its delicious offerings.
When perusing Thailand's street food vendors, the most popular food items one is likely to find will be skewered meats, fried rice (usually served with chicken), and even fruits. Specifically, these are the most popular foods:
- Pad Thai: An iconic Thai dish that consists of noodles, bean sprouts, fried egg, peanuts, and meat (unless it's vegetarian), all flavored with lime and tamarind.
- Khao Pad: With a base of jasmine rice, vegetables, egg, and occasionally meat are added to this dish before being tossed with soy sauce, sugar, salt, and fish sauce.
- Som Tam: This is a very popular salad in Thailand and is made with shredded carrots, papaya, and tomatoes, all of which are tossed with a blend of sugar, lime, garlic, chilies, and peanuts.
- Massaman Curry: No trip to Thailand is complete without trying curry, and this dish has it all starting with coconut milk, potatoes, bay leaves, tamarind sauce, sugar, cinnamon, roasted peanuts, and a meat such as chicken, tofu, or beef.
- Satay: Speaking of skewers, satay is the most popular skewered meat dish in Thailand. It's the most popular food to take and eat on the go and starts out with chicken, buffalo, beef, pork, fish, or tofu, all of which are grilled and served with a delicious peanut-based sauce.
- Poh Pia Tod: This dish resembles spring rolls and they're the perfect thing to eat while strolling the streets in Thailand. Street vendors are known for cutting up large rolls into smaller, bite-sized pieces that are then eaten with a toothpick, but not before first being tossed in a bag with sweet chili sauce.
- Roti: For those seeking something sweet for a change, roti is a must. This is an iconic staple when it comes to Thailand's food scene, and starts with a crêpe or a thin pancake that's filled with fruit, chocolate sauce, and even condensed milk.