Although Thailand is well-known for its exciting nightlife, crystal clear blue waters and spectacular beaches, it’s also one place that all foodies should visit at least once in their life.
As food is an important part in the country’s culture and history, take time out from partying through the night and nursing that hangover in the sun during the day, by checking out some of the amazing and tasty cuisine that can be found at different places all over the country.
If you like food that thrills you and offers surprises, Thailand is the ideal place to visit for your Asia holiday. It has a highly diverse and thriving culinary scene that gives new meaning to the term mouth-watering.
When you decide to tour looking for food around Thailand, you could pick virtually any of the big cities and little towns. However, we know not everyone has all the time in the world to do that, so we’ve put together some of the best places you should try not to miss out on visiting if you’re after creative and intriguing food experiences.
Hua Hin
Hua Hin is a coastal town located in the Gulf of Thailand that is most famous for its seafood. Curiously at the base of what is known by locals as Chopstick Mountain, Khoa Takieb, you will find a lively little fishing village that has a numerous affordable food stalls and rustic eateries offering some of the best seafood dishes you’ve ever tasted.
Spicy seafood salads, curried prawns and fresh-as-you-like scallops are common and incredibly popular. However, towering over all of these and something you should not leave the district without trying is the horseshoe crab, sourced locally.
Thailand is not really like anywhere else in the world, as its cuisine is completely unique and features flavours and herbs that feel familiar and yet completely different to anything else at the same time. Be brave and try the street food and markets to sample local food. Don’t just take the easy way out and stick to hotel and restaurant grub.
Chiang Mai
Nestled up in Northern Thailand, Chiang Mai sits and is an intriguing and very energetic city that seamlessly and smoothly combines the new and old. This is a particularly spectacular and idyllic little spot to learn more about traditional Thai food and learn more about its history.
While there, you must try the coconut milk curried noodle soup known as Khao Soi and the Chiang Mai sausage, also referred to as Sai Ua.
However, if you’re feeling particularly daring, you should sample the bamboo worms. This delicacy may not be for the squeamish, but for the locals it’s a protein rich dish. Remember, this is the country that enjoys deep-fried insects like we Brits and Americans love burgers and fries.
Kanchanaburi
One of the best reasons to visit Kanchanaburi is to improve your own cooking skills and learn how to make some traditional and tasty Thai dishes from scratch.
You start by visiting the local market, making the most of the fresh and fragrant ingredients there. Some of the most popular dishes in this region of the country include the fiery jungle curry and the contrastingly delicate, but just as sublimely flavoured banana flower cake.
With an experienced chef as your guide, you can take cooking lessons and learn how to turn a good dish into a magnificent one, before you get to tuck into your own creations.
Around an hour and half away from Bangkok, if you’re heading there from Kanchanaburi, you’ll find plenty of more interesting markets. Make sure you get the day off to a good start with some tasty Knhom Krok, a rice pudding dish that is best bought from the Glong Railway Market.
From there, head to the Tha Kha floating markets to try some more of the fresh and delicious local produce available there.
You’ll find plenty of amazing tropical vegetables and fruits as you stroll through the streets and manoeuvre across the banks of the region’s busy waterways. Khao lam is a dessert that deserves more attention, a sweet rice dish that is encased dramatically in a bamboo leaf.
Bangkok
Although we left the most famous Thai city to last, this is usually where people start their Thailand experience.
The city is famous for so much, including the regal elegance of the temple and palace architecture, those cool backpacker hangouts and all those interesting and bustling markets. It’s also a great place to sample some truly amazing food.
Sure, you could visit the many restaurants and hotels, but some of the best and most authentic Thai food is found with the street food vendors. These stalls are everywhere throughout the country and you’re guaranteed to be able to have your fill and more for relatively little in the way of expense.
The striking thing about the food in this city, is the sheer variety on offer. It’s possible to try something completely new each and every day you are there.
Firm favourites you should try include Som Tam, a refreshing and tasty papaya salad, Pad Thai Kung, a dish that is known throughout the world featuring noodles and prawns, and Pla Pao, a dish that features fish that has been crusted by salt before its grilled to perfection with moist and juicy flesh.