Thai Street Food is genuinely a must-try if you’re visiting Thailand. It’s great to support the locals, but it will also be some of the best food you eat on your holiday. From savoury dishes to sweet treats, I’ve compiled my top 10 favourite street foods that I would recommend to anyone.
Is It Safe to Eat Thai Street Food?
The simple answer is yes, it is safe to eat Thai street food. Personally, I’ve never gotten sick from eating Thai street food, but my mum is half Thai so I have grown up around a lot of the foods. My boyfriend has had some stomach issues, but nothing too major. Basically if you’re young and don’t have any major health complications, I would say you have nothing to worry about. Thai street food is some of the best in the world, and it’s unlikely you’re going to get sick. I also don’t think it’s worth missing out on from the fear of going to the toilet more often. But to each their own, you definitely know your body best.
I do see a lot of content out there advising you to check the cleanliness of the stalls and only go to busy vendors. And this may be great advice to someone with a particularly weak stomach. However, a lot of Thai vendors really do just have different standards when it comes to food safety. You’ll see meat out in the open all the time, even inside shopping centres or in major stalls. And honestly? Some of the best food comes from these types of stalls. The best chicken I’ve ever had was from a vendor out the front of a 7/11 in Chiangmai. If you’re in good health, it’s pretty unlikely you’re going to get sick.
I just know that I’m an anxious person, and if I didn’t have a Thai family, I would probably avoid the street food too. So in my opinion you’re fine as long as you’re in good health. My partner and I eat mostly street food every time we visit Thailand and have never had anything more than indigestion.
Where to Find Authentic Thai Street Food?
Thai street food is literally everywhere in Thailand. Whether you’re heading to a famous night market or just grabbing breakfast on your way into town, there will always be great street food available to you.
Night markets are an absolute must while you’re in Thailand, they’re filled with amazing street food and great souvenirs to browse. But this is really where you need to go if you’re looking to try some street food. I love to grab lots of little things so I can try as much food as possible.
You can also usually find street food in major shopping centres. Often, they’ll have a whole floor dedicated to street food, or there could be stalls out the front.
Of course you can also find street food vendors just on the street. Typically in places with high foot traffic, even in train stations.
And of course, good old 7/11. It’s pretty common to see one or two vendors out the front of a 7/11, serving anything from fruit or coconut ice-cream to entire dishes.
10 Must-Try Thai Street Foods
1. Chiang Mai Fried Chicken
Chiang Mai Fried Chicken is probably my favourite Thai street food. If you’ve ever tried Taiwanese chicken, it’s kind of similar. Chiang Mai chicken is juicy and so well seasoned. Look out for a stand called KFG if you’re in Chiang Mai (which I assume is Kentucky Fried Gai, the Thai word for chicken)
2. Coconut Ice Cream
You’ll often find coconut ice-cream being served from big metal drums, and this is a must try. You can often see it served in bread with a variety of toppings, including sticky rice and roasted peanuts. This refreshing dessert uses creamy coconut milk and is a perfect treat to beat the tropical heat.
3. Grilled Milk Pork Skewers
Okay don’t let the “milk” bit scare you off. Grilled milk pork skewers are so delicious and tender. These pork skewers are often grilled over charcoal and are pretty easy to find and well worth a try. Commonly accompanied by sticky rice, these are a great on the go snack.
4. Sun-Dried Fried Pork
Sun-Dried Fried Pork is honestly pretty hard to find, so be sure to grab them if you find them. I found this one at a restaurant, but I’ve also found them at night markets. They’re often preportioned and strung up to dry, which you can cut off yourself. The vendor will fry these for you and they’re great with sticky rice since they’re so oily and flavourful.
5. Thai Omelette
If you have protein-obsessed boyfriend like mine, this will probably become his new go to. It’s like a fluffy, oily omelette usually over rice. There’s no mushrooms or tomato like a western omelette, but you can order a Thai Omelette with minced pork inside. This is so delicious and well seasoned. Plus, you’ll be able to find this at most night markets or even restaurants. So, make sure to give them a try at least once on your trip.
6. Roti
Thai-style roti is a pan-fried flatbread that you’ll be able to find at almost every night market. Banana Nutella is definitely the most popular, but even plain condensed milk is worth a try. Vendors stretch the dough thin, fry it with oil, and wrap your chosen fruit or topping inside. If you have the option to add condensed milk or sugar it’s a must try.
7. Shaved Ice
Thai Shaved Ice is a popular dessert featuring finely shaved ice topped with various ingredients like sweet syrups, fruits, jellies, and red beans. It’s a customisable and cooling treat perfect for hot days.
8. Thai Iced Tea
Thai Iced Tea is a must try when you’re in Thailand, and can be found absolutely everywhere. It’s even on-tap in 7/11s. Thai Iced Tea is a sweet and creamy beverage made from strongly brewed black tea mixed with condensed milk and sugar, then poured over ice. Its distinctive orange hue and rich flavour make it a favourite refreshment.
9. Pad See Ew
Pad See Ew is similar to Pad Thai, but the noodles are much thicker. It’s a savoury dish of wide rice noodles stir-fried with soy sauce, garlic, greens, and your choice of protein like chicken or pork. Its balance of flavors and textures makes it a beloved street food option. This can also be found anywhere, including in restaurants.
10. Mango Sticky Rice
This classic Thai dessert pairs sweet glutinous rice cooked in coconut milk with ripe mango slices, drizzled with a coconut sauce. The crispy toppings are actually fried mung beans, and they’re not always included but they add a great crunch. Mango sticky rice is one of those desserts you’ll always want to make room for when you’re at a night market.
Thai street food is always a highlight when travelling to Thailand, and these are just some of my favourites. It’s really worth finding a local night market and trying a bit of everything. Honestly, I tend to head to the sit down restaurants I’ve been wanting to try for lunch, so I can make sure I’ll be able to go to a night market for dinner.
Check out my post on Chiang Mai night markets if you’re looking for some great options while you’re in the city.
