Signature Thai Cuisine: Top 10 Must-Try Thai Dishes in 2024!

Thailand is globally renowned not only for its tourism but also for its captivating cuisine. Thai cuisine offers a true feast for the senses and is often a key motivation for travelers eager to explore this Land of Smiles. So, what makes Thai cuisine so famous? Which special dishes should you absolutely try when visiting Thailand? In 2024, are those considered signature Thai cuisine? In this article, we will answer all your questions and introduce you to wonderful places where you can savor this exceptional cuisine.

Written by Adam LE (Local Expert) Updated on 09-04-2024

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What is Thai Cuisine?

Thai cuisine has long been famous for its exquisite combination of sour, spicy, salty, and sweet flavors, showcasing remarkable finesse. Sourness and spiciness are the predominant characteristics of this cuisine, blending harmoniously to create a distinctive flavor. Thai gastronomy is also a true spectacle for the senses. Those dishes are not only delicious but also visually appealing, with vibrant colors that entice tasting. Each plate is a culinary work of art.

It is important to emphasize that each culinary experience in Thailand is unique, as cuisine varies greatly from one region to another. The North, Central, and South of the country have their own recipes, specialties, and cooking techniques, with significant differences in the ingredients used, offering a wide range of delicious dishes to discover.
For example, Northern Thai cuisine, influenced by the former Burmese kingdom, is known for its mildness and frequent use of vegetables, pork, and sticky rice. Central cuisine, with Bangkok as its epicenter, offers a delicate balance of sweet, salty, and spicy flavors. Southern Thailand offers dishes rich in spicy flavors, showcasing ingredients such as turmeric and coconut. Each region thus presents its own culinary identity, providing visitors with a varied and exciting taste experience. What do you

What Are Thai Spices?

The most remarkable spices in Thai cuisine are chili and lime. Thai cuisine is famous for its spicy and sour taste. Thais believe that spicy taste can refresh the body and improve mood. Almost all Thai dishes use chili as the main spice. Lime is also a highly appreciated spice by Thais.
In addition to that, there are also lemongrass, aromatic spices, ginger, turmeric, garlic, onion, pepper, and aromatic herbs such as mint, parsley, coriander, and basil. Thai cuisine uses these spices to create distinctive flavors in dishes such as Tom Yum, Pad Thai, curry, and many other famous dishes.

The 10 Best Thai Dishes You Must Try in 2024

1. Tom Yum (lemongrass and shrimp soup)

Tom Yum, this delicious dish, has gained international fame by crossing national borders. Travel and gastronomy enthusiasts have surely heard of it. The word "Tom" means broth, and "Yum" refers to a kind of spicy and sour salad.
It is a traditional Thai soup distinguished by its complexity of flavors combining sour and spicy, with freshness brought by aromatic herbs. Its basic ingredients include meat or vegetable broth, lime juice, aromatic plants such as kaffir lime leaves, galangal, lemongrass, mushrooms, coriander, and chilies.
Tom Yum has several variations. Some are prepared with chicken, pork, intestines, or tofu, but the classic version remains the one with shrimp.

2. Pad Thai (Thai-style stir-fried noodles)

Pad Thai, a traditional Thai dish, exerts an irresistible appeal on both locals and visitors. It consists of stir-fried rice noodles in a wok, accompanied by a variety of ingredients such as shrimp, vegetables, tofu, onions, and more. Everything is coated with a flavorful sauce made from tamarind, fish sauce, and chili, to achieve a balance of sour, salty, and sweet flavors.
The key to making this dish even more appetizing lies in the recipe of the sauce and the spices used. It is a subtle mixture that requires some culinary mastery. The chef must carefully select the ingredients to preserve their freshness and carefully monitor the temperature of the wok or pan to prevent the sauce from burning. Indeed, palm sugar and tamarind are prone to easily catching fire, which would alter the taste of the dish by giving it a bitter note.
Accessible to everyone, this dish proves to be very versatile and can be adapted according to your personal preferences. Whether you enjoy it in prestigious restaurants in Bangkok or from street vendors in Thailand, Pad Thai will delight your taste buds.
>>> Learn more about: Pad Thai: 7 Things to Know About Thailand's National Dish

3. Gaeng Kaew Wan Gai (green chicken curry)

Gaeng Kaew Wan Gai, also known as green chicken curry, is a Thai dish appreciated for its distinctive blend of spicy and creamy flavors.
It consists of tender and juicy chicken pieces, cooked in a delicious green curry paste made from fresh herbs such as green chili, Thai basil, galangal, lemongrass, and coriander. The curry paste is then mixed with creamy coconut milk to obtain a luscious sauce.
The combination of spices and aromatic herbs gives Gaeng Kaew Wan Gai its characteristic green color and a lively, fragrant taste. This dish is usually served with Thai fragrant rice, offering a balanced taste experience between the spicy heat of the curry, the freshness of the herbs, and the creamy sweetness of the coconut milk. Gaeng Kaew Wan Gai is a must-try in Thai cuisine, appreciated for its combination of exotic flavors and culinary complexity.

4. Som Tam (green papaya salad)

Som Tam Thai, also known as Thai green papaya salad, is prepared using slices of green papaya, tomatoes, green beans, peanuts, coriander, lime juice, fish sauce, palm sugar, and chili.
All these ingredients are mixed in a mortar, which allows crushing the green papaya and blending the flavors. Som Tam Thai is famous for its spicy, salty, sweet, and sour taste, as well as its crunchy texture.
Unlike Western salads that often have sour and sweet flavors, Som Tam is known for its very spicy character.

According to Thais, this salad has many health benefits and can be enjoyed on its own as a main dish or as a side dish with sticky rice or grilled meats. Some popular versions of Som Tam include:

• Som Tam Pu: Adding crabs to the salad.
• Som Tam Boo Pla Ra: Using fermented fish (pla ra) in the salad.
• Som Tam Thai Pu Nim: Incorporating fried river crabs (pu nim).

5. Khao Phat (Thai fried rice with chicken) 

If you love rice, don't miss Khao Phat, a popular Thai street food dish. Simple but delicious, it offers great versatility in terms of ingredients and meats, with shrimp being a popular option. Khao Phat is mainly made of fragrant jasmine rice, adding a subtle dimension to the dish. Precooked in a rice cooker, the rice is then stir-fried in a wok with vegetables, eggs, meat, or seafood.
Another characteristic of Khao Phat is its systematic accompaniment with a lime wedge to add a sour note. It is often served with prik nam pla, a condiment made from fish sauce and chili. This dish is appreciated for its simplicity and quickness. If you're feeling a little hungry while strolling around downtown, Khao Phat is an excellent choice to satisfy your taste buds with pleasure.

6. Massaman Curry (Chicken Massaman Curry)

Massaman curry is a Thai dish influenced by Muslim cuisine from Southern Thailand. It stands out for its fragrant spices, including cinnamon, cumin, and coriander, which blend harmoniously with creamy coconut milk.
The main ingredients of Massaman curry are usually chicken, potatoes, and peanuts. However, there are variations that use other meats such as duck, beef, or lamb. The Massaman curry paste highlights Middle Eastern flavors but also integrates traditional Thai ingredients such as lemongrass, galangal, dried chilies, and coriander, to preserve the authenticity of Thai flavors.
This curry is typically enjoyed as a main dish, accompanied by fragrant rice to enhance its flavors. It is also common to find marinated ginger as a side dish, bringing a note of freshness to this dish.

7. Pad Krapow Moo (stir-fried pork with holy basil leaves)

To thrill your taste buds, be sure to try the popular Pad Krapow Moo for lunch or dinner. This dish showcases minced pork with holy basil leaves, chilies, garlic, onions, green beans, and a sauce made from soy sauce and oyster sauce.
The taste of Pad Krapow Moo is often described as spicy, aromatic, and full of flavors, thanks to the basil leaves. It is usually served with white rice to balance the flavors. Pad Krapow Moo is appreciated for its simplicity and quick preparation. It is an excellent choice for a simple and delicious meal.

8. Gai Yang (BBQ grilled chicken)

Not a fan of bland steamed chicken? Gai Yang, grilled chicken from the Land of Smiles, could be the perfect solution. It is a very popular street food in Thailand, renowned for its intense flavor and irresistible grilled aspect. The chicken is often marinated with fish sauce, garlic, ginger, and palm sugar before being grilled on the barbecue. To enhance the flavors, the chef will then add cilantro and lemongrass to the marinade.
As an accompaniment, you can enjoy a special sauce prepared with chili, garlic, fish sauce, and lime juice. This sauce complements the dish with a touch of acidity and spiciness that harmonizes with the tenderness of the grilled chicken.

9. Khao Soi (curry noodle soup)

Khao Soi is a specialty of the Northern region of Thailand, particularly the Chiang Mai region. It is a delicious curry soup with meat, usually beef or chicken, and noodles. What sets it apart are the noodles it uses, thicker and slightly al dente, made from wheat or rice.
This dish is even more special thanks to its creamy consistency obtained through the use of coconut milk, curry paste, and a blend of spices and aromatic herbs that impart deep flavors. To complete the dish, you can add fried onions, coriander, and lime slices, which bring a fresh and acidic note to create a gustatory balance in the dish. Khao Soi is considered one of the iconic dishes of Northern Thai cuisine not to be missed.

10. Tom Kha Gai (Thai chicken soup)

Tom kha gai is one of the most popular soups among Thai cuisine enthusiasts. Tom means "boil", kha means "galangal", and gai means "chicken". So, it's a chicken soup whose main flavor comes from galangal. Another key element of this soup is coconut milk. Coconut milk plays a major role in the recipe by contributing to obtaining a creamy texture and subtle sweetness, while lemongrass brings a refreshing note. Galangal completes the dish by adding a spicy and aromatic flavor.
Making Tom Kha Gai requires some expertise in Thai cuisine to properly combine the three main ingredients with other elements such as mushrooms and kaffir lime leaves. This recipe requires knowledge of Thai flavors and cooking techniques to achieve the right balance of tastes.
Tom Kha Gai (Thai chicken soup)

Where to Taste the Best Thai Dishes?

Thailand is known for its lively and popular streets, offering an authentic and appealing culinary experience. Here are some of the most famous neighborhoods where you can taste a variety of Thai dishes.

• Khao San Road (Bangkok):

This famous street in Bangkok is a must-visit for travelers seeking lively nightlife and festive atmosphere. It is filled with street food stalls where you can taste a variety of Thai dishes and discover the local culinary culture.

• Soi Rambuttri (Bangkok):

Located near Khao San Road, this quieter street offers a relaxed atmosphere and is an ideal alternative for those looking for authentic culinary experiences.

• Walking Street (Pattaya):

This bustling street in Pattaya is known for its vibrant nightlife and numerous street food stalls. It's the perfect place to taste a variety of Thai dishes while exploring the many entertainment and attractions of the street.

• Night Bazaar (Chiang Mai):

Chiang Mai's night market is a must-visit experience for tourists. In addition to handicrafts and souvenirs, you can taste traditional Thai dishes in a lively atmosphere. It's the perfect place to immerse yourself in local cuisine and discover new flavors.

Our Final Words

In conclusion, Thai cuisine offers an exceptional culinary experience with its sour and spicy flavors that make it unforgettable. Its diversity and authenticity make it a true gustatory journey. During your visit to Thailand, be sure to discover the 10 best Thai dishes in 2024 to add a memorable touch to your trip.

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