There are many things you can expect from a Thailand private tour when Bangkok is included in the itinerary. Best street eats are, no doubt, on top of amazing experiences you can gain from your travel to Bangkok. Although it is widely said that you can easy find street food everywhere in Bangkok, picking what to eat is not an easy choice. That is why we – Nadova Tours has selected below 5 top dishes for you to try when travelling to Bangkok. Check them out!
1. Pad Thai (Thai Stir Fried Noodles)
You must have heard of one of the most famous Thai dish of all time – Pad Thai before your travel to Thailand. Now it has become the national dish of Thailand and to your surprise, it was listed at number five on a list of “World’s 50 most delicious foods” readers’ poll compiled by CNN Go in 2011.
An interesting fact is that the origin of Pad Thai dated back to nearly 70 years ago when Thailand suffered a rice shortage during World War II. That is why the Thai government has promoted eating rice noodles instead. As a result, Pad Thai (literally means “Fried Thai”) was created and it helped to establish the identity of Thailand and become the national dish of this country.
To simply put it, Pad Thai has combined all Thai flavors in a balanced and perfect way. Not to mention it is affordable, usually cooked and served up within minutes and easily found in every Bangkok street. For that reason, Pad Thai is absolutely worth a try on your Thailand customized holiday. It is a chance you should not miss exploring the culture of Thailand through the traditional and amazing taste of the national dish!
2. Khao Moo Tod (Fried Pork over Rice)
Khao Moo Tod is one of the most popular traditional dish in Thailand. It can be found not only in street vendors but also luxurious restaurants.
Slices of pork are marinated in soy sauce, garlic, and pepper, then deep fried until it is an irresistible golden color. And then they are placed over a plate of rice and served with an optional fried egg, which makes an inexpensive and delicious meal for those who are hungry.
It is said that every Thai has grown up eating this dish, it is loved by both the young and old alike. And when they can’t think of anything else to order, Khao Moo Tod always comes to mind. That’s the reason why this dish should be put on your top list of street eats to try when travelling to Bangkok on a Thailand customized tour.
3. Khao Kha Moo (Pork Trotters Rice)
Although being less popular than other street food, Khao Kha Moo is absolutely your must-try on your Thailand customized holiday. With cheap cuts of pork, Thai people can turn it into an amazingly delicious dish with their cooking talent.
The pork leg is braised with Chinese herbs and spices for hours until the meat falls off the bone and is fully infused with spices. What makes a perfect Khao Kha Moo dish is the meat – it has to be tender but not greasy. And when it is served with rice, hard- boiled egg and pickled green mustard, the crunchy delicacy of the trotter can leave an unforgettable impression on anyone who has a chance to get a bite.
That is why despite not being so popular among foreign tourists, Khao Kha Moo still achieves a great number of positive reviews from those who tasted and couldn’t get over it. On your holidays in Thailand, don’t miss this dish!
4. Khao Mun Gai (Chicken rice)
This dish – Khao Mun Gai, actually originates from China and is very popular in Singapore and Malaysia with the name “Hainanese chicken rice”. It has been adopted by Thais and become a very well-known street eat in this country.
Basically, Khao Mun Gai is tender poached placed over oiled rice and is accompanied by a bowl of hot clear chicken broth together with a spicy dipping sauce. For those who are into the chicken rice, Khao Mun Gai is absolutely a worth-trying dish.
5. Tom Yum Goong (Spicy Thai Seafood Soup)
Tom Yum Goong is surely one of the most famous soup dish in Thailand. This soup has its origin in Thailand and has recently been popularized around the world. It is usually cooked with shrimp and has both a sour and spicy taste.
As this dish has become more and more popular, it gains several variations in Thai restaurants. However, they are still cooked based on the sour and spicy tastes. On your Thailand vacation, remember to try this dish. Its creamy and intensely flavorful broth is a rare find among Bangkok street eats.
6. Kuay Teaw Neua (Stewed Beef Noodles)
Noodles is, undoubtedly, among the best street dishes in Bangkok. The beef is cooked until soft and the soup is amazingly delicious. It has an intense beef flavor due to the fact that the beef here is stewed for long periods with Chinese herbs and spices.
An interesting and surprising fact is that in Wattana Panich – a famous restaurant in Bangkok, the soup to stew the beef has been there for… around 60 years. You might think that it is unclean or disgusting but don’t worry, it’s an ancient Chinese technique. People there already have practiced the method to preserve the hygiene of the master stock.
Wattana Panich was opened 60 years ago and since then, they have saved their master stock instead of throwing them away every night. With the master stock saving up, the flavor gets more and more intense and it absorbs each poached meats – which adds an unforgettable flavor to Kuay Teaw Neua dishes there. On your Thailand customized tour, a taste of Kuay Teaw Neua at Wattana Panich is absolutely a must-do.
7. Ba Mee (Thai Wanton Noodles)
Another noodle dish which is a hit to both local and foreign tourists in Thailand is Ba Mee. It is egg noodles served with pork and wanton. What makes this dish special is the pork lard, the sauce and the topped condiments like Chili flakes.
Not only popular in Thailand, this dish is also well-known in the neighboring countries such as Singapore, Malaysia and Hongkong. In each country, Ba Mee already has its own rendition. If you ever tried a Ba Mee dish in Singapore or Malaysia, you should still taste the Thai version if you have a chance as this Thai version of Ba Mee has its own distinct flavor compared to other ones and it surely leave a remarkable impression on your Thailand private tour.
8. Som Tam (Green Papaya Salad)
Originating from the Northeastern Thailand, this dish is also very popular in neighboring countries including Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. The dish in Laos is known as tam maak hung, and it is among many famous varieties of Som Tam which attracts a great number of tourists to get a bite.
Contrary to what people think of salad as the conventional greens, Thai salads are notable for the use of meat, especially seafood, as well as their unique blend of herbs. And of course, Son Tam is a perfect evidence of this distinctive feature.
This dish is popular everywhere in Bangkok for it only takes the cook a few minutes to prepare. You only need Thai chilies, fresh garlic, dried shrimp, fish sauce, sweet palm sugar, juicy limes, cherry tomatoes, green long beans, and green papaya to make this signature Thai dish. On your holidays in Thailand, this dish is a must try as it is a typical example of what Thai dishes are about – the perfect balance of sour, salty, spicy, and sweet in one dish.
9. Hoi Tod (Crispy Mussel Pancake)
You can find a Hoi Tod food stalls almost everywhere in Bangkok when the night falls. This dish is often associated with night markets and if there is a night market open from dusk till dawn, you are assured to find yourself a Hoi Tod stall that can cook and serve this dish through the night.
An interesting fact is that this dish is reinvented from the Chinese oyster omelette and now it can compete with Pad Thai as the hottest dish on the streets of Bangkok. Many locals prefer the starchy batter and egg mixture to the traditional noodle dish of its cousin, Pad Thai. And among foreign tourists, the comparison between the two dishes still goes on and on.
That is why if you have known and enjoyed Pad Thai before, you should also give Hoi Tod a try on your Thailand customized holiday to see for yourself the difference and decide which is better.
10. Khao Niao Mamuang (Mango Sticky Rice)
Your meal in Thailand could not be complete without an amazingly flavorful dessert and if you have to go for one dish – Khao Niao Mamuang (Mango Sticky Rice) is your perfect choice. You might not imagine how rice and mango could be combined in a dish but Thais have managed to marry these two ingredients into a perfect combination.
Glutinous rice is stacked with fresh mangoes and then smothered with rich coconut cream syrup is how this dish be simply made. Thai mangoes are famous for being among the sweetest mangoes in the world – which makes this dessert more desirable. You can easily find this dish everywhere in Bangkok and of course, it’s worth seeking out this dish on Bangkok streets. A taste of Khao Niao Mamuang will become an unforgettable memory of your Thailand vacation.
