Discover Thailand: 15 Iconic and Famous Dishes Every Traveler Should Taste

Bangkok Airways Round-Up

• Each region of Thailand showcases its own popular dishes. Northern Thailand is home to the famous Khao Soi, where creamy broth meets noodles topped with crunchy fried noodles. Som Tum is a Northeastern favorite, known for its burst of flavors, while Southern Thailand boasts its spicy flavors, with Kua Kling as its iconic dish. One of the most popular dishes is undeniably Central Thailand’s Pad Thai, known for its chewy noodles and umami flavor. 
• According to global travelers’ votes, Thailand was crowned the best country for food in the world in 2025 by Condé Nast. Many Thai dishes are considered among the world’s top dishes, with Pad Thai as one of the Top 5 and Phat Kraphao as one of the Top 8 Best Stir-Fry Dishes in the World by TasteAtlas in 2025.

The Global Appeal of Thai Cuisine You Shouldn’t Miss

Thai cookery involves many cooking techniques that have developed into some of the world-famous dishes, such as Pad Thai, Panang Curry, Phat Kaphrao, and Tom Yum Goong. Recognized by a famous travel magazine, Thailand was crowned the ‘Best Country for Food’ in 2025 by Conde Nast Traveller. With an impressive score of 98.33, travelers from all over the world voted Thailand as their favorite destination for delicious dishes that deliver the most satisfying flavors. 

Bangkok Airways has recommended some of the most famous Thai dishes from four different regions in this guide. Explore the country’s rich cuisine and let each dish inspire your next journey.

Northern Thailand: Signature Lanna Dishes

Northern Thai food is hearty and often less spicy than most Thai dishes from other regions. Many popular Thai dishes originate from the north, such as Khao Soi and Sai Ua. It leans toward hearty, meat-based meals that use local ingredients to create a distinct taste.

1. Khao Soi

Ranked number 2 in the Top 10 Best Rated Curries 2023 by TasteAtlas, Khao Soi is a favorite noodle soup among many. Served with wheat-based egg noodles and coconut milk curry broth, this dish has a creamy and slightly spicy flavor and is topped with crispy deep-fried noodles. It typically comes with your choice of meat, such as chicken or beef. Mix in some side veggies and enjoy this heartwarming bowl of noodles.

2. Sai Ua

Another iconic northern Thai dish is this flavorful sausage. Stuffed with pork, curry paste, and herbs, Sai Ua is an aromatic sausage typically served with fresh vegetables or sticky rice, giving a bold flavor in every bite.

3. Nam Prik Num

A beloved green chili dip is a staple on northern Thai tables. Paired with crispy pork cracklings (Kab Moo), it creates an irresistible combination everyone can snack on all day.

4. Gaeng Hung Lay

A rich curry that reflects the culture of northern Thailand is Gaeng Hung Lay. With some Indian influence, the curry is rich in spice blends with aromatic notes of tamarind, galangal, and pickled garlic. Simmered with pork belly for a long time, this curry contains no coconut milk, but still has the thick, rich texture and flavor that will punch your taste buds.

Central Thai Cuisine: The Perfect Balance of World-Famous Flavors

As the most internationally recognized style of Thai food, many of the central Thai dishes are among travelers’ favorites. From the famous Pad Thai to the fragrant Panang Curry, this region offers a diverse range of flavors that will satisfy every palate.

5. Pad Thai

When people talk about Thai cuisine, Pad Thai is often the first dish that comes to mind among travelers. This stir-fry noodle dish has gained popularity worldwide. In 2025, Pad Thai was honored as one of the top 5 Best Stir-Fry Dishes in the World by TasteAtlas. The authentic Pad Thai includes a balanced sauce of tamarind paste, palm sugar, and fish sauce mixed with chewy rice noodles, small tofu pieces, and dried shrimp. This popular Thai dish offers a bold, rich flavor that captivates all travelers around the world.

6. Tom Yum Goong

This spicy and sour soup is a must-try dish when visiting Thailand. Tom Yum Goong is packed with key flavors of sour, slightly salty, and spicy. The fragrance of lemongrass, galangal, and kaffir lime leaves makes every sip sensational as it blends beautifully with the rich flavor of head prawns 

As a globally beloved dish, Tom Yum Goong has been recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2024. This honorable accolade marks its cultural significance, celebrating this iconic Thai soup.

7. Panang Curry

This is one of the most famous Thai curries, known for its thick and creamy texture with a salty and sweet peanut flavor. Panang Curry has a mild spicy flavor and is a nice creamy coconut milk-based stew. With your choice of meat, this dish is served with steamed rice, making it a hearty meal. In 2024, this flavorful curry was ranked in the top 5 Best Dishes in the World by TasteAtlas.

8. Phat Kaphrao

Phat Kaphrao is incredibly popular among locals and travelers because of its excellent fragrance and flavor. Containing aromatic holy basil stir-fried with savory meat, it boasts a bold taste of garlic, chili, and umami sauce. 

With its exceptional taste, Phat Kaphrao is ranked in the top 8 Best Stir-Fry Dishes in the World in 2025 by TasteAtlas. The variations of this dish allow you to choose from a variety of meats, such as pork, chicken, beef, or crispy pork. To make it even more satisfying, add an extra fried egg on top to give more depth of flavor.

Northeastern Cuisine: Bold, Spicy, and Unforgettable

Famous for its bold flavors of spice and sourness, Northeastern or Isaan cuisine boasts rich tastes and various dishes. The signature of this region’s cuisine is sticky rice served with almost every meal, as well as a generous portion of fresh herbs and vegetables. In an Isaan dish, you can expect a burst of mixed flavors of spicy, sweet, sour, and salty in a perfect balance.

9. Som Tum

One of the most famous Thai dishes is hands down Som Tum or papaya salad. With many versions of this iconic dish, the most popular ones are Som Tum Thai and Som Tum Pla Ra (fermented fish). The burst of flavors, including salty, sweet, and sour, all combine in one bite. Moreover, the various textures of crunchy green papaya slices, tomatoes, and long beans create an unforgettable bite that goes even better with sticky rice.

10. Larb

Larb, or spicy pork salad, a classic Isan dish, includes minced pork mixed with shallots, mint, ground toasted rice, and chillies. The various seasonings create a bold balance of spicy, salty, sweet, and slightly sour flavors.

11. Sai Krok Isaan

This is a widely loved Northeastern Thai sausage called Sai Krok Isaan. Found at almost every market in Thailand, its fragrant smell and signature sour flavor come from traditional fermentation, and it is often served right off the grill. With a balanced mix of pork and aromatic herbs in one juicy sausage, it is best enjoyed with raw cabbage and chillies.

Southern Thai Cuisine: Bold, Spicy, and Full of Character

Southern Thai cuisine has one of the most distinctive flavors. The region’s cuisine presents intense spices and fragrant ingredients like lemongrass, turmeric, and kaffir lime leaves. The powerful flavors make southern Thai dishes comforting and become global favorites.

12. Massaman Curry

This unique curry features the rich flavors and aromatic blend of many dry spices like cinnamon, cloves, and cumin. In 2021, Massaman Curry was named the World’s Best Food by CNN Travel. The thick and creamy curry is rich and hearty, often made with various choices of meat such as chicken, beef, and pork. With mild spicy levels, it is a perfect curry option for anyone who prefers non-spicy dishes.

13. Kua Kling

An iconic dish of southern Thai food is Kua Kling. Made with ground pork as the main ingredient, it is stir-fried with spicy southern curry paste and turmeric. This classic dish is so flavorful with a primary taste of spicy and slightly salty.

14. Gaeng Som

Known for its simplicity and freshness, Gaeng Som is a rich soup that has a tangy broth packed with vegetables, herbs, and firm ocean fish. In southern Thailand, it is common to add green papaya, taro stems, coconut shoots, pineapple, water morning glory, and hummingbird tree flowers.

15. Gaeng Tai Pla

This southern Thai curry has a bold and intense aroma made with fermented fish entrails. Its signature salty, pungent taste is mixed with dried chilies, galangal, turmeric, lemongrass, shallots, and shrimp paste. The distinct fragrance and flavor are fiery and robust, making it best eaten with steamed rice or rice noodles to balance its richness.

FAQs about Famous Dishes in Thailand

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Start Your Thai Food Exploration with Bangkok Airways

Taste the true Thai flavors at their origin in Thailand. Authentic Thai cuisine delivers a bold flavor explosion and excitement in every bite. From north to south, each different region offers its signature dishes that are packed with unique tastes. Travel to Thailand with Bangkok Airways and try all the popular Thai dishes at their source.

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