Most Popular Thai Specialties Among Tourists

Thailand is not just a paradise for tourism and shopping; it is also renowned for its incredibly diverse culinary scene, offering a wide array of exquisite and enticing dishes. If you're wondering what to eat, this article will suggest the 15 most popular Thai specialties that tourists love in the Land of the Golden Temple.

1. Enjoying 7 Famous Thai Specialties

It would be a great omission if you don't try these renowned Thai specialties at least once.

1.1 Thai-style Stir-fried Noodles - Pad Thai

This Thai specialty combines sweet, salty, sour, spicy, and savory flavors. Pad Thai is made with softened rice noodles stir-fried over high heat with shrimp, meat, scrambled eggs, bean sprouts, green onions, and a smooth tamarind sauce, along with a touch of fish sauce for richness. The dish is topped with crushed peanuts, fried shallots, and a slice of lime. Enjoy a delicious Pad Thai at restaurants like Pad Thai Mae Am or Thip Samai.

Thai-style Stir-fried Noodles - Pad Thai

Pad Thai is a famous traditional dish in Thailand.

1.2 Sweet and Sour Shrimp Soup - Tom Yum

When talking about Thai specialties, Tom Yum soup is a must-mention, featuring a harmonious blend of sour, sweet, and savory flavors. The soup is prepared with fresh shrimp, combined with lemongrass, tomatoes, mushrooms, chili, and lime leaves. Particularly, you can choose between two broth options: a naturally robust flavor or a rich and fragrant coconut milk base. Experience delicious Tom Yum soup at T&K, Tom Yum Kung Banglamphu, or Ban Khun Mae.

1.3 Dancing Shrimp - Goong Ten

The main ingredient of Dancing Shrimp is live shrimp raised in hydroelectric dams, ensuring food safety. When eaten, they are mixed with aromatic herbs, lime, chili, garlic, sugar, purple onions, and a separately crafted dipping sauce. Thanks to this, the dish eliminates the fishy smell while preserving the fresh, crunchy texture of the shrimp. Dancing Shrimp is a popular Thai street food, widely available.

1.4 Laeng Saeb Spare Ribs

A must-try among Thai specialties is the Laeng Saeb spare ribs. The key ingredients include tender pork ribs slow-cooked with chili, white radish, green onions, ginger, and lime leaves. The ribs are often stacked together, forming an impressive tower. When eaten, you can feel the tender meat in your mouth, dipped in a rich, spicy, and tangy broth. Enjoy Laeng Saeb spare ribs at the Ratchada Night Market or Jodd Fair Night Market.

Laeng Saeb Spare Ribs

Laeng Saeb Spare Ribs captivate tourists with their appearance and irresistible taste.

1.5 Thai-style Roti

Thai-style Roti is one of the favorite street snacks for both locals and tourists. The crispy outer layer carries the aroma of butter, paired with the sweet and rich flavors of banana and egg filling. Finally, condensed milk and a bit of chocolate sauce are added on top to provide a subtle bitterness, making it delicious without being too overwhelming. To enjoy tasty Thai-style Roti, visit the stalls along Yaowarat Road in Chinatown.

1.6 Papaya Salad - Som Tam

Papaya Salad, or Som Tam, is a popular traditional Thai dish. Chefs use green papaya shredded into strands and then pound it in a mortar with lime, chili, fish sauce, palm sugar, and other ingredients according to customer preferences. Because it's manually pounded, the papaya retains its crispiness, delivering a distinct crunchy texture with a flavorful blend of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy tastes. Indulge in Som Tam at Som Tam Jay So or Somtam Nua.

1.7 Mango Sticky Rice

Mango Sticky Rice is a beloved Thai dessert. The main allure of this dish lies in the chewy glutinous rice, ripe mango slices, and creamy coconut milk, topped with crispy mung beans. Apart from the traditional version, Thais have created variations such as mango sticky rice with pandan leaves, mango sticky rice with durian, and purple sticky rice with mango. Savor delicious Mango Sticky Rice at Mae Varee, Cho Sorn Kaew, Kor Panich, Boonsap Thai Desserts, and more.

Mango Sticky Rice

Mango Sticky Rice is one of the favorite desserts in Thai cuisine.

2. Recommendations for 8 Thai Specialties Suitable as Gifts for Family and Friends

Wondering what to buy as gifts for your loved ones and friends after booking a flight to Thailand with Vietjet? Don't worry too much; below are suggestions for 8 Thai specialties that make delightful gifts for everyone.

2.1 Thai Banana Cake

In the list of top Thai specialties as gifts, you surely can't miss the Thai banana cake. The cake has a soft and smooth sponge layer combined with a rich banana milk filling, creating a unique and memorable taste for both adults and children. Depending on preferences, you can choose between the traditional and chocolate flavors.

Price reference: Approximately 27.38 baht per cake (Equivalent to around 20,000 VND).

Places to buy: Supermarkets, local markets, and 7-Eleven convenience stores.

2.2 Thai Dried Fruits

Having set foot in the largest fruit kingdom in Southeast Asia, you can't overlook the special Thai dried fruits. Each type of fruit is carefully packaged and beautifully decorated for travelers to buy as gifts for relatives and family. Common dried fruits include dried jackfruit, dried bananas, dried durian, and dried mango.

Price reference: Around 136-410 baht per 100g depending on the fruit type (Equivalent to approximately 100,000 – 300,000 VND).

Places to buy: Supermarkets and major markets in Thailand.

Thai Dried Fruits

Thai Dried Fruits make for tasty and meaningful gifts for loved ones and friends.

2.3 Pork Floss Rolls

If you're unsure about which Thai specialty to buy as a gift, try pork floss rolls. This fragrant cinnamon-flavored pastry has a crispy outer layer and is filled with a layer of savory pork floss. Moreover, the rolls are conveniently packed in small plastic boxes, making them easy to gift.

Price reference: Around 82 baht for a 130g box (Equivalent to about 60,000 VND) and 205 baht for a 250g box (Equivalent to about 150,000 VND).

Places to buy: Sukhumvit Soi 38 Street, Sam Yan Market, and various supermarket chains in Thailand.

2.4 Spicy Bento Squid

When talking about Thai specialties as gifts, the spicy Bento squid is a must-mention. This snack is made from thinly sliced dried squid, seasoned at different spice levels from mild to tongue-tingling hot, then air-dried.

Price reference: A 6g pack costs around 10 baht (Equivalent to 7,000 VND), and a 24g pack is approximately 34 baht (Equivalent to 25,000 VND).

Places to buy: Other supermarkets and convenience stores in Thailand.

Spicy Bento Squid

Spicy Bento Squid is always among the top Thai specialties chosen as gifts for friends and family.

2.5 Thai Milk Tea

Having arrived in Thailand, how can you miss the opportunity to enjoy and buy various types of Thai milk tea as gifts? This Thai specialty tea comes in three main flavors: green tea, red tea, and traditional tea. When brewed with sugar and milk, you can not only taste the creamy richness but also sense the subtle fragrances of herbs such as pandan, star anise, and cinnamon.

Price reference: The price for a 400g tea bag ranges from 27 to 95 baht (Equivalent to 20,000 - 70,000 VND).

Places to buy: Markets, supermarkets, and convenience stores in Thailand.

2.6 Durian Chips

Durian chips are processed from fresh durian, sliced thin, and dried until achieving a certain crispiness while retaining the distinctive aroma. Consequently, the final product has a golden yellow color, and when eaten, you can clearly feel the richness of fresh milk and durian. Packaged in small bags, you won't have to worry about taking up too much space in your suitcase when buying them as gifts.

Price reference: A 200g bag typically costs around 120 baht (Equivalent to about 88,000 VND).

Places to buy: Markets, supermarkets, and convenience stores in Thailand.

2.7 Thai Tamarind

Not only widely used in Thai cuisine, but tamarind is also a popular and easily consumable gift choice for many tourists. This fruit stands out with its soft flesh, distinct aroma, and a harmonious sweet and sour taste that stimulates the taste buds.

Price reference: The price for 1kg of Thai tamarind ranges from 136 to 205 baht (Equivalent to about 100,000 - 150,000 VND).

Places to buy: Various markets and supermarkets in Thailand.

2.8 Tao Kae Noi Seaweed

Among the Thai specialties to buy as gifts, don't forget Tao Kae Noi seaweed. This famous seaweed snack is produced from natural seaweed, flavorful, and rich in nutrients. Tao Kae Noi seaweed comes in various flavors for you to choose from, such as traditional, kimchi, and seafood.

Price reference: Seaweed costs around 10 - 70 baht (Equivalent to 7,000 – 50,000 VND).

Places to buy: Other supermarkets and convenience stores in Thailand.

Tao Kae Noi Seaweed

Tao Kae Noi Seaweed is a favorite snack for both adults and children.

Here is a list of delicious Thai specialties and enticing food items to buy as meaningful gifts. To enjoy and purchase these famous Thai specialties, don't hesitate to visit https://www.vietjetair.com/ for super discounted flight tickets to Thailand.

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