Thailand is famous for its cuisine, and Thai street food is especially popular for its affordability, unique taste, and variety. Here is a list of seven must-try Thai street food dishes, including papaya salad (som tam), pork satay, pad Thai, grilled chicken (gai yang), fried noodles (pad see ew), grilled squid (pla muek yang), and mango sticky rice (khao niao mamuang). Each dish has a list of ingredients and instructions on how to make it. Thai street food is a delicious and adventurous way to experience the unique flavors of Thailand.
Taste of Thailand: 7 Must-Try Thai Street Food Dishes on Your Next Trip
Introduction
Thailand is famous for its vibrant cuisine, which is a blend of sweet, spicy, salty, and sour flavors. Thai street food is especially popular for its affordability, unique taste, and variety. Here, we have compiled a list of seven must-try Thai street food dishes that you can enjoy on your next trip to Thailand.
Papaya Salad (Som Tam)
Papaya Salad, also known as Som Tam, is one of the most popular street foods in Thailand. It is a spicy, tangy, and refreshing salad made with shredded green papaya, cherry tomatoes, green beans, garlic, chillies, peanuts, and a dressing made with fish sauce, lime juice, and tamarind. To make this dish, you will need:
– 1 green papaya, shredded
– 6 cherry tomatoes, halved
– 10 green beans, cut into 1-inch pieces
– 1 garlic clove, minced
– 2 tablespoons peanuts, chopped
– 2 tablespoons fish sauce
– 2 tablespoons lime juice
– 1 tablespoon tamarind paste
– 1 teaspoon sugar
– 2-3 Thai chillies, chopped
Mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl and serve.
Pork Satay
Pork Satay is a popular street food in Thailand, consisting of grilled pork skewers marinated in a blend of lemongrass, garlic, coriander, and turmeric. The skewers are served with a creamy, mildly spicy peanut sauce. To make this dish, you will need:
– 500g pork tenderloin, cut into thin strips
– 2 tablespoons lemongrass, minced
– 2 tablespoons garlic, minced
– 2 tablespoons coriander, chopped
– 1 tablespoon turmeric
– 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
– 1 teaspoon salt
– 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Mix all the marinade ingredients together in a bowl. Add the pork strips and marinade for 2-4 hours. Skewer the pork strips and grill over medium-high heat until cooked through. Serve with peanut sauce.
Pad Thai
Pad Thai is a classic Thai noodle dish made with stir-fried rice noodles, eggs, bean sprouts, tofu, shrimp, and a tangy sauce made with tamarind, fish sauce, and lime juice. It is a popular street food in Thailand that is usually served with a side of crushed roasted peanuts and lime wedges. To make this dish, you will need:
– 200g rice noodles
– 150g shrimp, peeled and deveined
– 100g firm tofu, cut into small cubes
– 2 eggs, beaten
– 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
– 2 garlic cloves, minced
– 1 tablespoon dried shrimp
– 1 tablespoon fish sauce
– 1 tablespoon tamarind paste
– 1 tablespoon palm sugar
– 1 tablespoon lime juice
– 1/2 cup bean sprouts
– 1/2 cup scallions, chopped
– 1/4 cup roasted peanuts, chopped
Soak the rice noodles in warm water for 10 minutes, then drain. Heat the oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat. Add the garlic, dried shrimp, and tofu and stir-fry for 1-2 minutes. Add the shrimp and stir-fry until cooked through. Push everything to one side of the wok and pour the eggs into the empty space. Scramble the eggs until cooked, then mix everything together. Add the fish sauce, tamarind paste, palm sugar, lime juice, and noodles. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes. Add the bean sprouts and scallions and stir-fry for another 1-2 minutes. Serve with peanuts and lime wedges.
Grilled Chicken (Gai Yang)
Gai Yang is a popular Thai street food dish consisting of grilled chicken marinated in a blend of lemongrass, coriander, garlic, and fish sauce. It is usually served with a sweet and sour dipping sauce made with palm sugar, vinegar, and chillies. To make this dish, you will need:
– 4 chicken thighs, bone-in and skin-on
– 2 tablespoons lemongrass, minced
– 2 tablespoons coriander, chopped
– 2 garlic cloves, minced
– 2 tablespoons fish sauce
– 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
– 1 teaspoon salt
– 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Mix all the marinade ingredients together in a bowl. Add the chicken thighs and marinade for 2-4 hours. Grill the chicken over medium-high heat until cooked through, about 5-6 minutes per side. Serve with dipping sauce.
Fried Noodles (Pad See Ew)
Pad See Ew is a popular Thai dish made with stir-fried wide rice noodles, Chinese broccoli, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and garlic. It is a simple street food dish that is hearty, savory, and satisfying. To make this dish, you will need:
– 200g wide rice noodles
– 1 cup Chinese broccoli, chopped
– 2 garlic cloves, minced
– 2 tablespoons soy sauce
– 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
– 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Soak the rice noodles in warm water for 10 minutes, then drain. Heat the oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat. Add the garlic and stir-fry for 1-2 minutes. Add the Chinese broccoli and stir-fry until softened. Add the rice noodles, soy sauce, and oyster sauce. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes or until the noodles are cooked through. Serve hot.
Grilled Squid (Pla Muek Yang)
Pla Muek Yang is a street food dish made with grilled squid that is marinated in a blend of garlic, coriander, soy sauce, and sugar. It is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for seafood lovers. To make this dish, you will need:
– 4 squid, cleaned and cut into rings
– 2 garlic cloves, minced
– 2 tablespoons coriander, chopped
– 2 tablespoons soy sauce
– 1 tablespoon sugar
– 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Mix all the marinade ingredients together in a bowl. Add the squid rings and marinade for 2-4 hours. Grill the squid over medium-high heat until cooked through, about 2-3 minutes per side. Serve hot.
Mango Sticky Rice (Khao Niao Mamuang)
Khao Niao Mamuang is a famous Thai street food dessert made with sweet sticky rice, fresh mango, and coconut milk. It is a simple yet indulgent dish that is loved by locals and tourists alike. To make this dish, you will need:
– 1 cup sticky rice
– 1 can coconut milk
– 1/2 cup sugar
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 2 ripe mangoes, peeled and sliced
Soak the sticky rice in water for at least 4 hours or overnight. Rinse the rice and drain. Add the rice to a pot along with 1 cup water and 1/2 cup coconut milk. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover. Cook for 15-20 minutes or until the water is absorbed and the rice is tender. In a separate pot, heat the remaining coconut milk, sugar, and salt over low heat until the sugar is dissolved. Serve the sticky rice with sliced mango and pour the coconut sauce over everything.
Conclusion
Thai street food is a delicious and adventurous way to experience the unique flavors of Thailand. With our step-by-step guide and recipe for seven must-try Thai street food dishes, you can now plan your next trip to Thailand with confidence and excitement. So, get ready to indulge in the rich and delicious flavors of Thai street food!