Food & Dining in Thailand
Thailand is a food paradise. The cuisine is world-renowned, incredibly diverse, and remarkably affordable.
Street Food Culture
Street food is not just cheap—it's often the best food available:
| Dish | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Pad Thai | ฿40-60 | Stir-fried rice noodles |
| Som Tam | ฿40-50 | Spicy papaya salad |
| Khao Pad | ฿50-70 | Fried rice |
| Khao Man Gai | ฿50-60 | Chicken rice |
| Gai Yang | ฿80-120 | Grilled chicken |
| Moo Ping | ฿10-20 | Grilled pork skewers |
| Pad Krapao | ฿50-70 | Basil stir-fry |
Daily street food budget: ฿150-300 for 3 meals
Restaurant Types
| Type | Meal Cost | Setting |
|---|---|---|
| Street vendor | ฿40-80 | Plastic chairs, outdoors |
| Local shophouse | ฿60-120 | Simple, air-con possible |
| Mall food court | ฿80-150 | Clean, varied options |
| Mid-range restaurant | ฿200-400 | Comfortable, menu |
| Upscale Thai | ฿500-1,500 | Fine dining experience |
| Western food | ฿250-500 | Imported ingredients |
Regional Cuisines
Central Thai (Bangkok):
- Tom Yum Goong (spicy soup)
- Green/Red Curry
- Pad Thai
- Massaman Curry
Northern Thai (Chiang Mai):
- Khao Soi (curry noodle soup)
- Sai Ua (northern sausage)
- Larb (minced meat salad)
- Nam Prik (chili dips)
Northeastern (Isaan):
- Som Tam (papaya salad)
- Gai Yang (grilled chicken)
- Larb/Namtok
- Sticky rice
Southern Thai:
- Very spicy
- Yellow curries
- Fresh seafood
Grocery Shopping
Supermarkets:
- Tesco Lotus / Lotus's: Biggest chain, good prices
- Big C: Similar to Tesco
- Makro: Wholesale, great for bulk
- Tops: Mid-range quality
- Villa Market: Imported goods, premium prices
Markets:
- Fresh produce at local markets (ตลาด)
- Much cheaper than supermarkets
- Morning markets best for freshness
Monthly grocery budget: ฿4,000-8,000 for one person
Dietary Considerations
Spice levels: Thai food can be extremely spicy
- "Mai phet" = not spicy
- "Phet nit noi" = a little spicy
- Many dishes have hidden chili
Vegetarian/Vegan (เจ/jay):
- Buddhist vegetarian food available (เจ sign)
- Fish sauce and shrimp paste common in "vegetarian" dishes
- "Mai sai nam pla" = no fish sauce
- Growing vegan scene in cities
Allergies:
- Peanuts common in many dishes
- Shellfish widely used
- Communication can be challenging
Tipping Culture
- Not expected at street food or local restaurants
- Service charge often included at upscale places
- Small tip appreciated at quality restaurants (10%)
- Round up at casual places
Pro Tips
- •Street food is often better than restaurants—follow the crowds
- •Learn "Mai phet" (not spicy) immediately if you can't handle heat
- •Khao Soi in Chiang Mai is a must-try regional specialty
- •Fresh markets offer much better produce prices than supermarkets
- •7-Eleven is surprisingly good for quick, cheap meals
Have questions about food & dining in Thailand?