Buzz
Traveling to Thailand offers the chance to admire breathtaking landscapes, relax in the refreshing blue waters of the sea, snap photos in charming cafes, and, most importantly, savor delicious, nutritious, and affordable street food. What more could you ask for? Below, Mytour suggests 7 incredibly cheap and easy-to-find dishes in Thailand. Save this list to enjoy them all during your trip!
Top Dishes to Try When Visiting Thailand
1. Som Tam (Green Papaya Salad)
Also known as green papaya salad, this dish is one of the most popular in Thailand. Its unique blend of sour, salty, and sweet flavors makes it enjoyable for any traveler. If you're curious about how Som Tam is made, take a moment to watch the vendors in action. They start by pounding chili, dried shrimp, tomatoes, and long beans with lime juice and fish sauce in a mortar. Then, shredded green papaya is added and mixed thoroughly to absorb all the flavors.
The finished papaya salad is not only visually appealing but also incredibly delicious. Each serving of Som Tam, sold at street carts, costs only around 30,000 to 40,000 VND.
2. Chicken Rice
If you’ve enjoyed this dish during budget travels to Vietnam’s central coastal provinces, you’ll find it equally famous in the Land of Smiles. Thai chicken rice is prepared similarly to the Vietnamese version but offers more variety. At local eateries, prices range from 50 to 80 baht (approximately 30,000 to 50,000 VND), depending on the portion size.
3. Pad Thai
This dish is no stranger to fans of Thai cuisine. However, enjoying Pad Thai in its homeland during international travel is an entirely different and more delightful experience. Pad Thai offers a variety of noodle options, with prices based on the toppings you choose, such as egg, meat, shrimp, or a mix. A standard serving starts at 40 baht, while seafood Pad Thai with shrimp costs around 80 baht (approximately 60,000 VND).
4. Thai Milk Tea
This beverage has taken Vietnam by storm in recent years. However, savoring it in Thailand is an even more exceptional experience. Thai milk tea boasts a sweet yet balanced flavor, enhanced by the aromatic blend of ingredients, making it irresistibly delicious. A special cup costs around 50 baht (about 35,000 VND).
5. Grilled Dishes
Chicken wings, chicken feet, chicken hearts, sausages, and various marinated meats grilled over charcoal are a common sight at street stalls and food carts. These grilled delights are not only visually appealing but also bursting with flavor, making them a favorite among travelers during their Thailand trips.
6. Mango Sticky Rice
Soft, sweet, and golden Thai mangoes paired with sticky rice and drizzled with coconut milk make this a famous dessert in Thailand. You can find this treat almost anywhere, especially in night markets. A serving of mango sticky rice is incredibly affordable, starting at just 50 baht (around 35,000 VND).
7. Pomegranate Juice
While pomegranates are often enjoyed as a snack or dessert in other countries, in Thailand, they are transformed into a refreshing juice—and an incredibly delicious one at that. After juicing, the vibrant pink drink is bottled in plastic containers. This beverage seems to have a magical allure, as visitors returning to Thailand often seek it out to relive the experience. A bottle of pomegranate juice is quite affordable, typically costing between 40 to 50 baht, depending on the size.
