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Many worthy reasons put Thailand at the top of most travellers' bucket lists. Whirring cities, an ancient and rich history, exotic wildlife, beaches so idyllic they might make you want to set up a commune with Leonardo DiCaprio and never leave — but, ultimately, if you're not embracing its food culture to the fullest extent, you're only getting part of the pleasure Thailand has to offer.
We'd all be happy with pad thai and green curry for every meal. But from Bangkok's Chinatown and Michelin-starred innovation and seafood curries of Southern Thailand to the undiscovered street food of the Isaan region and night markets in Chiang Mai, you'll discover bold flavours that make you feel like you've been eating in sepia tone beforehand. Thailand really is a culinary Disneyland.
Phat kaphrao mu sap
How to plan
Knowing where to start is half the battle. Bangkok is a natural entry point into Thailand's legendary street food culture, from Chinatown to its street vendors. And if navigating its breadth feels overwhelming, the Michelin Guide is a great companion to have, and can help you uncover places from celebrated street stalls like Jay Fai to fine-dining institutions like Lebua. Beyond Bangkok, the key is to follow the regions. Each one has a distinct culinary identity shaped by geography, climate, and neighbouring culture, and the food shifts as you travel.
Northern Thailand
Head to the mountainous, cooler Northern part of the country, and you’ll be met with dishes lower on the citrus or fruity side, and instead rich, herbal curries, grilled meat, and sticky rice. Along the lush uplands, take in sai oua, a spicy, smoky Northern Thai sausage, and brothy curries. It’s in this region that you’ll discover the food-obsessed Chiang Mai, Thailand’s second-largest city. You’ll quickly become intimately acquainted with khao soi, arguably the region's most iconic dish, a coconut-based noodle curry served with chicken or beef and topped with crispy fried noodles and pickled mustard greens. Try the dish at the Bib-Gourmand recommended Khao Soi Mae Sai, which will have you going back for thirds, never mind seconds.
Southern Thailand coast
Southern Thailand
Out on the long tropical peninsula, you’ll find the heat gets turned up in more ways than one – on the sun-soaked beaches, and in the food. It’s here you’ll find spicy, coconutty curries filled with chilli and tamarind, often seafood-driven. Dishes like gaeng som, sharp and sour, or moo hong, slow-braised pork belly, are plentiful. But the spice is balanced by the freshness of ingredients, and expect lots of tropical fruit like pineapple, mangosteen and the ever-controversial durian – the taste is worth getting through the smell. Dense greenery, fishing boats and lush jungles provide a stunning backdrop. Heading to Ko Samui? Try Jun Hom, which sits right on the beach and offers local dishes like aromatic crab coconut milk curry with shrubby basil.
Isaan
Wat Sirindhorn Wararam Phu Phrao in Chong Mek
Adventurous tourists looking to get off the beaten path will be rewarded in Isaan, which borders Laos on the Eastern side of Thailand. An underrated gem of a foodie hotspot, traversing the Michelin guide is advised in search of punchy dishes like gai yang, a grilled chicken dish that began in Laos and was adopted in Thailand, laab moo, a minced pork salad tossed with herbs, lime, chilli, and toasted rice powder, and the iconic spicy papaya salad, som tam. Interested in digging deeper into Issan cuisine? This is a great place to do a cooking course with local chefs, who can teach you the history behind its Laos-influenced history, and, most crucially, get you making some delicious food.
Central Thailand
Sticky mango rice
Head to Central Thailand and you’ll find something of a culinary goldilocks zone, where well-balanced dishes combine sweet, sour, salty and spicy flavours. The region sits on fertile lowlands and waterways, so its terrain identity is flatter and agriculturally rich. It’s here you’ll find the birthplace of iconic dishes like pad thai, green curry, tom yum soup and mango sticky rice. You’ll also find Bangkok, the Thai capital and a spot that deserves a food-centric tour all by itself. From markets like Pratunam and Chatuchak to family-run spots in Chinatown to Michelin-starred Thai dining in Akkee and Nahm, it’s a city that ticks every box. To even scratch the surface, be prepared to return for multiple visits.
Vineyards (yes, Thailand produces wine)
Nakhon Ratchasima-GranMonte Vineyard and Winery
It may surprise some visitors, but Thailand has a genuine wine culture worth exploring. On the Gulf Coast, Monsoon Valley at Hua Hin Hills offers rolling vines, sea views, and bottles that pair better with Thai food than you'd expect. Further northeast, Khao Yai is where the scene gets more serious. PB Valley and the family-run Gran Monte both sit alongside one of Thailand's finest national parks, and pair vineyards with roaming wild elephants and hiking trails.
