The Ultimate Guide to Authentic Thai Street Food
Often, the best way to experience a country's culture and heritage is through food. The dishes that people eat regularly say a lot about their traditions and values. So, if you're interested in Thailand, what better way to get to know more about it than by eating some top-notch dishes?
While you might be familiar with famous options like Pad Thai and Tom Yum, the dining experience goes well beyond the restaurant. Thai street food is an entirely unique facet of the country's culture, full of delicious options that are just begging to be eaten
So, join us on this culinary journey from the streets of Bangkok to way back in Thailand's history to discover the ultimate guide to Thai street food
What is Thai street food?
If you ever visit Thailand, especially Bangkok, you'll be amazed at the number and variety of stalls and carts selling food on the street. Wherever you go in the world, vendors are always willing to fill your belly in exchange for a few bucks. Fortunately, US dollars go pretty far in Thailand,so you can get your fill without breaking the bank. Even stateside, these dishes are affordable without sacrificing quality or, most importantly, flavor. You can never accuse Thai cuisine, street or otherwise, of being dull or bland
Street food can often be classified in a few different ways, such as:
- On-the-Go Dishes - These items are designed to be packaged and carried on the way to your next destination. Whether you're on lunch, heading to the train station, or just want a quick bite, on-the-go dishes are convenient and often pretty easy to eat. However, remember that it's sometimes easy to make a mess, depending on the situation.
- Snacks (Light or Filling) - A street food snack is designed to help you avoid hunger pangs between meals. Or, if you're going to eat relatively soon, a snack can serve as an appetizer. Some snacks are ready for travel, but many are made to be devoured on site. There's nothing better than sitting and watching life go by while eating delicious food and chugging a refreshing beverage.
- Meals - Just because you're eating street food doesn't mean you have to forgo the complete dining experience. Street food meals are hearty and filling and can keep you satisfied for hours. Usually, these dishes come with noodles or rice to help you feel full for longer.
As we break down some of the top Thai street food options, we'll identify whether each dish is a snack or meal and whether it's good for on-the-go eating.
A Brief History of Thai Street Food
The history of Thai street food begins centuries ago with the floating markets that dotted the coastline and rivers of the countryside. Instead of setting up shop in a permanent or semi-permanent stall, vendors would sell their dishes to locals from the back of a boat. But, it wasn't all seafood and fish on a stick. These vendors would offer a wide array of food, including noodles, fresh fruit, and other specialties
For many years, "street" food was sold this way, and you can still find floating markets today. If you're interested in a one-of-a-kind experience, we highly recommend touring one of these markets to see what they have to offer. You can't get street food like this anywhere else!
Modern street food began during the seismic shift of the 1960s. As urbanization swept the country, more people moved into cities, driving up the demand for quick, affordable, and delicious dishes. As the cities grew, vendors became more abundant. Today, you can find a mix of mobile carts, permanent stalls, and even outdoor dining at some brick-and-mortar restaurants.
Overall, Thailand takes its street food seriously, so you should too. Also, if you're unfamiliar with traditional Thai cuisine, we recommend keeping an open mind, as some dishes are pretty unique. Thai street food has many origins mixed together to create something special. Elements of Chinese,
Southeast Asian, and European cooking are found in many of these dishes. For example, Pad Thai became a thing after Chinese immigrants brought stir-frying techniques to the country.
Know Before You Chow - A Basic Overview of Thai Street Food Etiquette
If you're going to appreciate a culture by eating its food, you also have to respect its traditions and practices. So, here are some elements to keep in mind before chowing down on some Thai street food authentic recipes:
- No Chopsticks - In 1939, Siam became Thailand after a bloodless coup by a dictator named Phibun. Before the change, Chinese influences were prevalent in the country, including its cooking styles. However, Phibun wanted to modernize Thailand and make it a unique entity within the region. So, you won't find chopsticks anywhere. Instead, eat with the right hand or a fork or spoon.
- Spice is the Spice of Life - If you're familiar with Asian cooking, you know that some dishes can be pretty spicy. However, if you haven't tried authentic Thai spices before, be sure to sample a little before committing to anything. Locals have become accustomed to the spiciness, but tourists often aren't. Save yourself the hassle (and pain) and ask for food with little to no spice. Once you become accustomed, you can incorporate it into your dishes.
- Customization is Customary - Almost all street vendors will offer multiple sauces to help you complement your meal. You can choose between chili flakes, fish sauce, and a Thai sauce that combines garlic, vinegar, and salt. Some vendors may have more condiments, while others might have fewer. Overall, don't feel bad about adding sauces to anything - it's expected and welcomed.
- Don't Forget Dessert - While savory dishes abound, there are some traditional Thai street food desserts as well. One example is Thai marzipan, which is made from mung beans and painted to look like fruit pieces. Some dishes will be a bit sweeter than you might imagine, so be ready.
Some Examples of Authentic Thai Street Food
No matter where you turn, authentic Thai street food recipes abound. While there are far too many traditional dishes to list here, we'll start with the more unique offerings and work our way to items you might be familiar with already.
Fried Bugs - Light and On-the-Go Snack
As we mentioned, it helps to keep an open mind when visiting Thai street food stalls or carts. Fried bugs are pretty common in the country, and you'll see vendors selling seasoned insects in most markets. Standard options include crickets, cockroaches, mealworms, locusts, and the Thai water bug (which resembles a cockroach). Usually, the insects are dipped in sauce and served on a stick, but not always.
Grilled Prawns - Light Snack
Along with bugs, seafood is also heavily featured on street food menus across the country. River prawns are especially common and delicious, as they're often grilled on an open flame. You can also usually find squid and other seafood options cooking next to the prawns. When ordering, keep in mind that the prawn will be whole - they won't peel or decapitate it for you.
Grilled Pork Stick or Chicken Satay - Light, On-the-Go Snack
Most Thai restaurants offer chicken Satay, which is basically a meat skewer with unique Thai spices. However, moo ping (pork sticks) is also pretty prevalent in the street food scene. The meat is marinated in palm sugar, fish sauce, and garlic for a truly unique flavor. Plus, since these dishes are already on sticks, they're made for on-the-go snacking.
Oyster Omelet - Light Meal
Once again, seafood is front and center with this savory omelet. Hoi Nang Rom Tod uses fried crispy oysters served with a side of eggs and fried batter. However, just because it has eggs doesn't make this a breakfast meal.
Thai Noodles - Light or Heavy Meal
Noodles are a staple of Thai cooking, and most vendors have at least one or two varieties. Before placing an order, however, be sure you know what you're getting. Here's a quick overview of the types of noodles you can find:
- Bah Mee - A yellow and white egg and wheat flour noodle. Bah Mee is a thin, circular noodle.
- Sen Lek - If you've ever had Pad Thai, you're familiar with this noodle type. It's flat and made from rice flour.
- Sen Mee - These noodles resemble vermicelli, which is what you find in Vietnamese pho.
- Sen Yai - Also called the wide river noodle, this option is much broader than anything else on this list. It's also made of white rice flour.
- Woon Sen - If you prefer semi-translucent glass noodles, you should order some Woon Sen.
Duck Noodles or Rice
Duck is another staple of Asian cooking, and Thai chefs know how to use this animal in their dishes. You can find either Kuay Teow Bpet or Khao Na Bpet, or sometimes both. The secret is boiling the broth with duck bones and juicy duck meat for a flavorful yet relatively mild experience. Along with the duck, the dish also has pickled ginger, dark soy, and various chilies.
Saku Sai Moo (Stuffed Rice Balls)
Most Thai food uses Jasmine rice instead of other varieties. Sau Sai Moon is made by stuffing rice balls with ground peanuts and pork. The rice itself is cooked in garlic oil to help add some extra flavor to it. This street food has a crunchy and soft texture, making it a hit with locals and visitors alike.
The Best Thai Restaurants Near Me
As you can see, Thai street food covers many flavors and ingredients. If you want the best street food and find yourself searching for “Thai restaurants near me”, visit an authentic local restaurant, Rickshaw Thai Street Food. Whether you're in the mood for grilled calamari, Pad Thai, or something else, you're eating a part of Thailand, including its history and culture at Rickshaw. Give us a try today by ordering online or visiting us in person in Alpharetta.
