In many parts of East Asia, there is spicy food, and then there is spicy Thai food. Thai food is known throughout the region and the world for its fiery heat and fresh herbs. Thai cuisine is also among the healthiest world cuisines, with many vegan-friendly dishes or options that are lower in fat and processed sugar than Western foods. Because of this, StudyFinds has compiled a list of the best Thai food dishes most recommended by foodies.
Thai food often displays a mastery of chili peppers. It’s no secret that chili peppers give many Thai dishes their spicy kick. Now, a recent study from Marshall University is looking at the best way to use this ingredient as a cancer treatment. Researchers say capsaicin — the substance that gives chili peppers their hot and spicy taste — can also keep multiple forms of cancer from growing. Sounds like just another reason to order something spicy for dinner.
Cooking the same old recipes time and time again makes everyday meals a total bore, leading many to chase new flavors. It turns out the average American would travel nearly a half-hour to eat their favorite food, a new survey revealed. According to a recent survey of 2,000 Americans, we crave adventure in our taste buds as nearly half (47%) are tired of cooking the same types of food at home. That’s where Thai food can play a role in your culinary adventure!
The quest for authentic flavors can be very serious for some adventurous eaters or for those craving a taste of home. Thai food represents the powerfully complex flavor profiles that make up their most iconic dishes. Thanks to the recommendations of 10 experts, StudyFinds has put together a list of the best Thai dishes that will surely tickle your taste buds. Let us know your favorite Thai dishes in the comments below!
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The 7 Best Thai Dishes, According to Food Reviewers
1. Tom Yum Goong Soup
Tom Yum is the iconic soup of Thailand. It is a marvelous balance of spicy, sweet, sour, salt, and umami flavors. Restaurant Clicks notes, “In Thai, ‘Tom’ refers to the process of boiling the ingredients and ‘Yum’ translates to mixed. ‘Goong’ is also the Thai term for prawns.”
Shrimp is commonly used in this favorite Thai soup. However, as Rainforest Cruises points out, other variations of Tom Yum Goong Soup include chicken, fish or mixed seafood.
The distinctive flavor of this soup comes from fragrant lemongrass, Thai lime leaves, shallots, lime juice, fish sauce, fresh chilies and juicy prawns. “Its fresh and rich exotic flavor instinctively sets your definition of the flavor of Thailand!” says Asia Highlights.
2. Pad Kra Pao Moo and Rice
Pad Kra Pao Moo is a street-food, lunch-plate special. Those lucky enough to try an authentic rendition of this dish will enjoy the balance of flavors when combined with steamed jasmine rice. It’s a classic dish eaten nearly daily by Thai locals and is also very popular with visitors. Chef’s Pencil writes, “This dish consists of stir-fried minced pork with lots of chilies, garlic, onion, green beans, and Thai basil served over rice.”
This Thai dish represents a sweet-spicy balance to one’s palate. “Fresh chilies, garlic, green beans, shallots, fish sauce and palm sugar, along with minced pork and peppery basil leaves are all stir-fried in a searing hot wok, piled onto a plate of steamed white rice then crowned with a fried egg,” notes Rainforest Cruises.
When ordering the popular Pad Kra Pao Moo, you are usually asked if you would like to have an egg with it or not. “With a nice touch of fish sauce, oyster sauce, and a little sugar, the flavor of this wonderful dish will be nicely balanced between sweet and spicy,” explains Asia Highlights.
3. Laab Moo Spicy Salad
Sometimes spelled “larb,” this dish is a spicy salad with plenty of fresh mint. It typically includes a protein like pork, chicken or tofu. The salad is also complimented with fresh sweet basil, cabbage, and long beans, making it perfect with sticky rice. Even though it’s considered Thai food, the Laab Moo Spicy Salad is synonymous with Isan and neighboring Laos. Live Less Ordinary notes, “The signature ‘Laab’ flavors include red chilies, spring onion, shallot, and ground/toasted rice.”
If you can’t handle a hefty kick, the Laab Moo Spicy Salad is not recommended for you. “Laab comes in a variety of styles including chicken, pork, and mushroom,” writes Culture Trip.
The Laab Moo Spicy Salad is a classic and traditional Thai dish made with pork in Thailand, however it can also be made with chicken, with fresh mint being a key ingredient. “Enjoy it hot over cold greens or on rice,” recommends The Spruce Eats.
4. Khao Soi Soup
This hearty soup is rich with layered flavors and spice. When enjoyed with crispy noodles, Khao Soi becomes a delight for the palate. It’s a slightly spicy broth that combines coconut milk and red curry paste. TasteAtlas writes, “A signature dish of Northern Thailand, khao soi is a delicious coconut soup in which numerous regional influences were combined to create a truly spectacular dish.”
Eating a bowl of Khao Soi Soup can be a life-altering experience. The ingredients make this soup a must-have, with sharp, pickled mustard greens, raw shallots, and crispy egg noodles mixed into the creamy coconut broth. “The best khao soi I’ve ever had was in Northern Thailand, where the dish is considered a regional specialty,” writes Thrillist.
The dish is a Burmese-inspired coconut curry noodle soup. Options include chicken, beef, pork or vegetarian. “Khao soi should be on every traveler’s ‘must eat’ list in northern Thailand with Chiang Mai being considered the khao soi mecca,” says Culture Trip.
5. Pad Thai Noodle
Pad Thai is a world-famous noodle dish. Like the other fantastic foods on this list, Pad Thai is all about balance of flavors. You can find this dish at every Thai restaurant, and maybe even other Asian establishments that offer a range of dishes. Restaurant Clicks notes, “It is a street food style dish that consists of noodles, bean sprouts, scrambled eggs, chicken, tofu or beef, peanuts, and a few other vegetables.”
Pad Thai has a very unique flavor thanks to ingredients like soy sauce, fish sauce, red chili pepper, and lime juice. According to CuddlyNest, the dish is made of flat rice noodles that are stir-fried with egg, shallots and garlic. Protein, including chicken, shrimp or vegetables, along with veggies, like scallions, are also added.
Pad Thai is Thailand’s national dish. Some of the more popular flavors of Pad Thai include meat, chicken and pork. “The flavors are an intricate combination of sweet, sour, and salty, with a well-balanced contrast of textures,” writes TasteAtlas.
6. Tod Mun Pla Fish Cake
Tasty fried appetizers are abundant on many Thai menus. Tod Mun Pla is typically deep-fried to achieve a crisp texture. Thrillist writes, “Tod mun pla is usually served with a sweet and refreshing dipping sauce, or nam jim.”
Tod Mun Pla is made using fresh fish, Thai basil, lime leaves and green beans. It is then formed into patties before it’s deep-fried. “Piled high on a plate, Tod Mun Pla are served with a spicy dip, usually containing cucumber, peanut, shallot, chili, vinegar, sugar and, fish sauce,” says Chef’s Pencil. This fish cake dish is a favorite pick as an appetizer.
7. Kai Jeow Omelet
Kai Jeow is eggs with rice, and it is very satisfying when eaten fresh. This tasty plate uses eggs as a platform to deliver mouth-watering Thai flavors. “Unlike the traditional western-style omelet, Thai Kai Jeow is cooked at very high heats with the egg mix floating and bubbling on the surface of the boiling wok of oil, creating a fluffier, crispy fried texture,” explains Live Less Ordinary.
Kai Jeow is a simple Thai dish to make. It packs a protein punch and is a tasty quick meal on-the-go. It’s usually served on rice with sweet chili sauce. “Ask for ‘kai jeow pak’ if you would like some vegetables added to your Thai omelet,” recommends Culture Trip.
Thrillist refers to Kai Jeow as the “unsung hero of Thailand.” The website recommends fillings of either moo sab (which is garlicky and peppery ground pork) or nam (which is a sour and fermented Thai sausage). “The trick to getting a perfect kai jeow is cook over very high heat, resulting in a crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside egg dish. You’ll never be able to go back to regular omelets after this.”
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Sources:
- Chef’s Pencil
- Rainforest Cruises
- Asia Highlights
- Live Less Ordinary
- Culture Trip
- The Spruce Eats
- TasteAtlas
- Thrillist
- CuddlyNest
- Restaurant Clicks
Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This article may contain affiliate links in which we receive a commission if you make a purchase.