ThailandFood and Drink

Thai food is renowned across the world from America to India. Its richly contrasted flavours, aromatic spices, and a balance of sweet, salty, and sour make Thai food unique, even among its neighbours. Chinese, Indian, Vietnamese, and Khmer influences have all left their mark on Thailand’s cuisine, but what the country is perhaps best known for is street food. Tighter regulations have meant fewer on-street carts in recent years, but there are still affordable, tasty treats to be had in just about every corner of Bangkok. You may want to skip meal time altogether and just graze as you go! 

Tea, beer, juice, and fresh coconut water are all abundant in Thailand. Thai iced tea is a common drink made from Thai tea leaves, sugar, and milk. You'll get tea in every part of the country. On the other hand, if you are looking for a cool drink, Singha and Chang beer are your best bet. They are local brands that are widely available and pair well with spicy cuisine.

What is Thailand’s traditional cuisine?

Thai food is all about blending and balancing flavours that probably shouldn’t work together… but do! Don't miss going face-down in a dish of pad thai, a stir-fried rice noodle made with egg, a protein, bean sprouts, and (traditionally) peanuts. The dish is further flavoured with tamarind paste, fish sauce, and chili. Thai mango salad is a summer favourite, with optional peanuts for that extra crunch. Soups are popular as well, particularly tom yum goong, a spicy clear shrimp-based soup (with a chicken-based alternative if shrimp isn't your fave). A fixture on Thai menus around the world is Thailand’s famous trio of curries: yellow (mild), red (medium), and green (hot), popular on any trip to Thailand, while massaman curry invites you to take on a thicker, meatier combination of flavours. You’ll also find plenty of vegetarian and vegan options on Thailand tours, including fresh fruit, vegetables, and juices, but avoid eating any fresh produce you haven’t peeled yourself.

What is the dining etiquette in Thailand?

Thais eat with a fork and a spoon, rather than chopsticks, with the fork being held in the left hand and the spoon in the right. The fork is there to guide the food into your spoon, which should be the only implement that goes in your mouth. Group meals are always shared in Thailand, which is a great way to sample a variety of options. It’s usually the senior ladies at the table who choose the dishes, so asking them about a dish they mention is often a good way to learn about Thai cuisine. The most important guest is usually seated opposite the host at a gathering. You should also wait for this person to start eating before helping yourself.

When the food arrives, take no more than two spoons from any one dish at a time. You don’t want to fill up too early anyway! You’ll usually receive a bowl of plain white rice, and an empty bowl for any soups that are ordered. Sticky rice is meant to be eaten with your right hand (and only your right). Wait for others to pour your drink for you if sharing, and don’t snap your fingers to attract a server. Instead, smile, extend your hand palm down, and gently flex your fingers in an upside-down come here gesture.

When the check arrives, it’s usually the perceived wealthiest diner who pays. When dining with Thais as a farang (foreigner), that can often mean you, but don’t argue over the check if someone else wants to pay or if the group decides to split. There’s no hard-and-fast rule here. Finally, it’s considered polite to tidy up your plate and push uneaten rice or other bits and pieces to one side of it.

What is the drinking etiquette in Thailand?

As with Thai food, Thai spirits are often ordered by the shared bottle, allowing each drinker to mix their own. This also lets each diner choose their own potency and mixer. Many establishments will bring a bucket of filtered, machine-made ice for your table, and you can endear yourself to your hosts by adding ice to everyone’s glass before the round begins. It’s also polite to top others’ drinks up (or at least offer) if refreshing your own.

A toast is a low-key affair in Thailand. Simply raise your glass. You may hear the words chok dee (good luck) as well. If you’re having trouble getting everyone’s attention for a toast, loudly using the term chone will do the trick. Finally, never raise your glass higher than someone of greater status or seniority during a cheers. It’s a tiny, but important show of respect that will win you friends on your Thailand vacation.

Does Thailand cater to dietary restrictions?

Wellness tourism is a serious industry in Thailand, with most travel agencies offering a variety of options. Dietary restrictions both for religious and lifestyle purposes are well-accommodated on any Thailand trip. You may want to be very clear about allergies, however. Eggs and peanuts are both ingredients common in Thai cuisine. While restaurants and even street vendors will do their best to accommodate you, the shared nature of the Thai table can make things trickier to navigate. Politely inform your host of any allergies and ask them to point out any dishes you should avoid. An allergy is usually a perfectly acceptable reason to skip a dish.

What do meals typically cost in Thailand?

Hit the streets of Bangkok and you’ll find delicious meals being served up to locals for less than US $3. For a nice, mid-range, sit-down meal for two with drinks, things run closer to US $25. You will, of course, pay considerably more at high-end restaurants in Bangkok or at luxury resorts. Alcohol prices are extremely reasonable compared to vacation packages in nearby countries such as Singapore or Malaysia.