What To Eat In Thailand - Holiday Food Guide

Thailand is the ultimate culinary destination.

Bright and bold dishes that combine spicy, sweet, sour and salty flavours to perfection await to be discovered. Irresistible street eats can be devoured on the go or you can sit and savour gourmet creations in award-winning dining destinations. You’ll find food to please all palates and phenomenal feasts for much less than a fiver. Delicious desserts, colourful curries, seafood specialities, spicy noodles and crunchy salads are all on the menu. Let Destination2 provide some food for thought on what to eat and where during your once-in-a-lifetime holiday in Thailand.

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Thai Delicacies

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to get your teeth into some of the authentic delicacies on offer during your holiday in Thailand. One must-try food is Thailand’s national dish, Pad Thai, which can be found right across the country and is made up of stir-fried noodles, egg, beansprouts, tamarind, peanuts and shrimp, chicken or tofu. If you like your food with a little added heat, tom yum goong might tempt your taste buds. This spicy shrimp soup is made with bird’s eye chillies or chilli paste, and can provide quite a kick. If you’re scouring the menu for something a little bit lighter and less fiery, a som tam papaya salad might be more to your taste. Thailand’s most well known dish, however, is possibly green curry. But while you may have tried shop-bought imitations at home, nothing compares to the real thing enjoyed while holidaying in true tropical surroundings.

Budget bites

If you’re planning your Thailand holiday around a budget, you’ll be glad to know that you can enjoy meals, snacks and more without it costing the Earth. As a matter of fact, you can enjoy a variety of authentic dishes for less than 90 Thai Baht, which is around £2. This means that what you save on dining can be put to experiencing even more of Thailand. Among the best places to discover delicious dishes for less are local markets, shopping mall food courts, small shops and restaurants outside of the main tourist areas that are popular with locals. Budget bites to discover include khao pad, a fried rice dish usually made with meat, egg and onions, and pad krapow moo, which consists of minced pork, chillies, garlic and holy basil, often served with rice and a fried egg. Pad Thai, as well as kahao mun gai, which combines poached chicken and savoury rice, can also be found at palatable prices, while fruits such as mango, papaya and watermelon are great low-cost snacks.

The best street eats

There’s nowhere better than Thailand for sensational street food. Enticing aromas, colourful ingredients and a splash of gastronomic theatre never fails to awaken the appetite. If visiting Bangkok, Yaowarat Road, better known as Dragon Road, in the city’s Chinatown, is where you’ll find some of the tastiest street food treats. Guay jub noodles with crispy pork belly, BBQ pork and wanton noodles, grilled fish and sweet Yaowarat toasted bread are just some of the delights on offer. Nong Mon Market, on Bangkok’s Sukhumvit Road is another street food hub, with deep-fried seafood, banana crisps and sweet sticky rice snacks among the highlights. Chiang Mai is another destination known for its grab-and-go offering, with spicy mango salad and crispy wontons well worth seeking out at the city’s night market. In Hua Hin, its night market is renowned for fresh seafood specialities, while Phuket’s Chillva Night Market is the place to sample a variety of local delicacies.

World-class dining

While Thailand’s street food is beyond sensational, sometimes the occasion calls for an extra level of refinement. If that’s the case, you’ll be pleased to know that Thailand is home to more than 40 Michelin star restaurants. Most can be found in and around Bangkok, with innovative Thai cuisine taking a starring role on many menus, while exceptional Korean, Italian, Japanese, European, Indian, French and Alpine dishes can also be discovered. Among these heralded dining destinations are two three-starred restaurants - Sorn, offering an inspiring take on south Thai cuisine, and Sühring, which treats diners to delectable German dishes. Eight others boast two stars, including Chef’s Table, Anne-Sophie Pic at Le Normandie and Mezzaluna, all bringing a taste of France to the table, INDDEE serving irresistible Indian dishes and Côte by Mauro Colagreco, creating Mediterranean masterpieces. Along with Bangkok, the Michelin experience can also be enjoyed in Phuket, with the chefs at one-starred PRU crafting creative dishes using the very best Thai ingredients.

Sweet Treats

When you’re eating out in Thailand, always make sure you leave room for dessert. Whether you’re partial to fruity flavours, sticky treats, creamy fillings or tropical creations, you’ll find it hard to resist the temptation of the puddings and sweets on offer in the restaurants, cafe, markets and shops in every destination. Mango sticky rice, made with sweet steamed rice, coconut milk and sliced mango, is a traditional Thai dessert that you’ll find wherever you go. For a real exotic hit, you might wish to sample authentic Thai coconut ice cream, made with coconut milk instead of daily cream, or rice dumplings in coconut milk. Kanom Krok, which are coconut pancakes, are also worth seeking out amongst street food stalls, along with khanom chan, a chewy layered dessert, perfect if you’re craving a sweet snack.

Sunprime Kamala Beach

Bliss awaits at the adult-only Sunprime Kamala Beach resort in Phuket. Relax by one of the swimming pools or on the golden-sand beach adjacent to the hotel. An abundance of outdoor seating areas makes for magical moments dining al fresco or enjoying a drink under the stars. Treat yourself to an authentic Thai massage in the outdoor spa or feel at peace in the yoga studio. Neutral and understated rooms offer a calm space while still being furnished to a high standard.

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Elephant Hills Rainforest Camp

The adventure of a lifetime awaits at this sensational jungle camp, nestled amidst the lush rainforest of Khao Sok National Park. Staying in a luxury tent located over Cheow Larn Lake, you’ll find all the necessities for a comfortable stay. You’ll be able to explore the surrounding jungle, take a kayak across the lake and seek out some of the species that call the rainforest home. When not immersed in nature you can enjoy the superb camp features, which include restaurants, bars and a swimming pool.

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The Bush Camp Chiang Mai By Elephant Hills

Located on the winding Ping River in the jungles of northern Thailand, The Bush Camp Chiang Mai will bring you face-to-face with the regal Asian elephant. Designed to resemble an African safari, you’ll stay in lavishly appointed tents, with plush beds, hammocks and every other amenity you could need to relax in nature. Highlights of this ethical sanctuary include the handing-feeding programme, where you can interact up close and personal with the gentle giants that roam free here.

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Eden Beach Khao Lak Resort & Spa

Find complete serenity just steps from turquoise waters and soft golden sand at the 5-star Eden Beach Khao Lak Resort & Spa. Staying amidst beautiful tropical gardens, you’ll feel completely at ease, enjoying culinary delights across five exceptional restaurants and resting in comfort and luxury in your exquisite room, suite or villa. Leisure features to discover include a lagoon-style pool, fitness centre, games room, children’s playroom and a spa, while a complimentary shuttle service allows you to explore Khao Lak town and the Bang Niang night market.

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Paradise Koh Yao

Venture to one of Thailand's picturesque islands on your next holiday. The Paradise Koh Yoh will provide blissful serenity on its private beachfront location, with the opportunity to explore neighbouring Phuket and Krabi via speedboat. The cerulean waters are home to an array of colourful marine life that you can spot while snorkelling as well as the freshest seafood that you can dine on in the restaurants. Whether you’re seeking tranquility or adventure, Koh Yao is the place to be.

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Anantara Koh Yao Yai Resort & Villas

Escape to a tropical island sanctuary of luxury, tranquility and indulgence with a stay at Anantara Koh Yao Yai. Just a short boat trip from Phuket, this enchanting exotic Eden is perfect for families, couples and friends seeking to relax and reconnect in dreamy surroundings. Modern living spaces provide havens of calm for rest and recuperation, while an extensive culinary offering allows you to discover delectable dishes from Thailand and beyond. Other highlights that await include pools, water slides, a kids’ club, state-of-the-art fitness centre, water sports centre and a signature Anantara Spa.

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