15 Best Thai Dishes to Try in 2025 (Local Favorites & Street Food Picks)

Thai cuisine is known for its bold flavors, vibrant colors, and perfect balance of sweet, salty, sour, and spicy. Whether you’re dining in a local market or a high-end restaurant, Thailand offers a rich variety of dishes that are both affordable and unforgettable.

Here’s a list of the 15 best Thai dishes to try during your trip in 2025.

1. Pad Thai (ผัดไทย)

Probably Thailand’s most famous dish. Stir-fried rice noodles with eggs, tofu, peanuts, bean sprouts, and a tangy tamarind-based sauce. Often served with shrimp or chicken.

2. Tom Yum Goong (ต้มยำกุ้ง)

A hot and sour soup made with shrimp, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, chili, and lime juice. Known for its intense flavor and aroma.

3. Som Tum (ส้มตำ)

Green papaya salad pounded in a mortar with fish sauce, lime juice, chili, and peanuts. Spicy, crunchy, and refreshing. A popular street food staple.

4. Massaman Curry (มัสมั่น)

A rich, slightly sweet curry with Indian influences. Made with coconut milk, potatoes, onions, peanuts, and usually chicken or beef.

5. Green Curry (แกงเขียวหวาน)

Spicy and aromatic with green chili paste, coconut milk, Thai basil, and your choice of meat. Best enjoyed with steamed rice.

6. Khao Soi (ข้าวซอย)

Northern Thailand’s signature noodle dish. Egg noodles in a creamy coconut curry broth topped with crispy noodles, lime, pickled mustard greens, and shallots.

7. Pad Kra Pao (ผัดกะเพรา)

Minced pork or chicken stir-fried with holy basil, garlic, and chili. Served with rice and often topped with a fried egg. A quick and spicy local favorite.

8. Thai Fried Rice (ข้าวผัด)

Simple but flavorful fried rice with vegetables, eggs, and your choice of meat or seafood. Often served with cucumber slices and lime.

9. Moo Ping (หมูปิ้ง)

Grilled pork skewers marinated in sweet soy sauce and garlic. Found on nearly every street corner in the mornings or at night markets.

10. Thai Iced Tea (ชาเย็น)

Strong black tea sweetened with condensed milk and served over ice. Creamy and refreshing — perfect for Thailand’s heat.

11. Mango Sticky Rice (ข้าวเหนียวมะม่วง)

Sweet sticky rice served with fresh mango and drizzled with coconut milk. Best enjoyed during mango season (March–June).

12. Larb (ลาบ)

A spicy minced meat salad from northeastern Thailand. Made with lime juice, mint, fish sauce, and toasted rice powder. Usually served with sticky rice.

13. Gaeng Daeng (แกงแดง)

Red curry with coconut milk, red chili paste, meat (often duck or chicken), and Thai basil. A rich and flavorful dish with moderate heat.

14. Kanom Krok (ขนมครก)

Mini coconut pancakes cooked in a cast-iron pan. Crisp on the outside, soft and creamy inside. A popular sweet snack in markets.

15. Thai Omelette (ไข่เจียว)

Fluffy, deep-fried-style omelet served over rice with sweet chili sauce. Common, cheap, and delicious.

Conclusion

Thailand’s cuisine is incredibly diverse, and these 15 dishes are just the beginning. Whether you’re trying street food in Bangkok or dining in a beachside restaurant in Krabi, Thai food is an essential part of your travel experience in 2025.