Thailand Holidays: 7 Authentic Dishes to Try in Thailand

This is a guest post from the lovely people at Virgin Holidays.

There are many reasons to visit Thailand, with its warm climate, friendly locals, luxurious resorts and inviting beaches.

However, the food alone is enough of a reason to visit.

Thai cuisine is full of bold flavours and fresh ingredients. If you’re planning a trip to Thailand (have a look through Virgin Holidays), be sure to try these seven authentic Thai dishes during your stay.

1. Pad Thai: This ubiquitous dish is considered the national dish of Thailand. It consists of fried rice noodles in a tamarind sauce, with prawns, tofu, chicken, eggs, bean sprouts, peanuts and lime juice. What makes this simple meal so incredible is the perfect combination of sweet, sour, salty and spicy flavours in each dish. The best place to order this dish is from a street food vendor who will prepare it one plate at a time. You are able to choose your ingredients as well as your preferred amount of spiciness.

2. Tom Yam Kung: If you only get a chance to try one Thai soup in Thailand, make it the wildly popular tom yam kung. This thin lemongrass-flavoured soup consists of an almost sour broth filled with ingredients such as prawn, chicken and mushroom. The soup is fragrant and delicious and is typically served as a starter before a full meal.

3. Ka-phrao Kai: Many of the entrees found in Thailand feature a meat that has been diced and then fried in oil. Ka-phrao kai is one example, with chicken stir-fried with basil leaves and diced chillies. This simple dish is offered over rice or fried noodles in most Thai restaurants in Thailand.

4. Som Tam: Although this ubiquitous salad actually originated in Laos rather than in Thailand, it is one of the most popular and refreshing foods to enjoy while holidaying in the Land of Smiles. The salad is made up of shredded green papaya, peanuts, tomato, dried shrimp and a slightly sweet sauce.

5. Kao Phad: For a simple dish that everyone will love, order a plate of kao phad. Kao phad literally means fried rice, and this sticky rice is paired with onions, cilantro, garlic, eggs, prawns and any number of flavourful ingredients.

6. Gai Pad Pongali: It would be a shame to visit Thailand without tasting a curry and the yellow curry gai pad pongali is a great choice. This dish boasts chicken, peppers, tomatoes and onions fried with a thick yellow curry sauce and is served over a place of steamed rice.

7. Khao Soi: A northern Thai speciality, khao soi is a curry-flavoured noodle soup that is a must-try food in Chiang Mai. Most often prepared with chicken, pork, fish and vegetarian versions are also available. Khao soi is served topped with fried noodles and with condiments such as lime wedges, pickled vegetables, purple onion and chilli.

By: Barbara

A career girl who dropped out, traveled, found love, and never got around to going home again. Now wrangling a cross-cultural relationship and two third culture kids.