What to eat in Bangkok: must-try Thai specialties

Thailand is full of regional specialties built around five key flavours: spicy, sweet, sour, bitter and salty. In this guide, we introduce lesser-known dishes you should absolutely try, we won’t be talking about pad thai, pad kaprao and mango sticky rice.

Hor Mok Pla

A steamed fish curry served in banana leaves. Fragrant, soft and slightly spicy, with kaffir lime leaves. Its flavour is close to a mild red curry.

Sangkhaya Fak Thong

A coconut-egg custard steamed inside a whole pumpkin. A Portuguese-influenced dessert, rich and aromatic. Not for everyone, but worth trying.

Thapthim Krop

A thai dessert with water chestnut cubes tinted red, served in cold coconut milk with crushed ice. Light, refreshing and perfect after a hot day.

Laarb

A signature dish from Isaan in Northeast Thailand. It’s a minced meat salad with lime, chili and toasted rice. Served cooked or raw, with pork (Moo), chicken (Gai), beef (Nua) or sometimes fish (Pla). Spicy, tangy, crunchy and occasionally slightly bitter (Krom optional). Best enjoyed with sticky rice. For spicy-sensitive eaters, proceed with caution.

Nam Lamyay (Longan Juice)

The juice is made from the Longan fruit, similar to lychee, and sweetened with cane sugar. Also delicious as fresh fruit.

Khao Soi

Northern curry made with coconut milk, egg noodles and crispy noodles on top. Sometimes served with chicken or Sai Oua (herb-heavy sausage). Burmese in origin, now a staple of Chiang Mai. A must-try.

Khao Man Gai

Chicken rice cooked in broth-infused fat and served with a ginger–soy dipping sauce. Inspired by Hainanese cuisine, it is mild, comforting and perfectly balanced, ideal for sensitive palates.

Cha Thai Yen

Thailand’s iconic orange-hued black tea with condensed milk. Sweet and creamy, you need to try this. If you prefer it less sweet, ask for “wan noy”.

Khanom Krok

A type of mini pancakes with rice flour, crispy outside and soft inside with toppings of choice: coconut, corn, pandan or spring onion.

Notes

• Iced drinks can taste very sweet at first but the ice quickly softens the flavour.
• Most Thai desserts are naturally vegan and gluten-free thanks to coconut milk, rice flour, agar-agar and fruits.