Thai-m For A Taste Of The 9 Best Thai Food Dishes

Mango sticky rice, green curry, tom yum and more. These Thai food dishes are always packed with tons of flavour and that’s why they’re always such an absolute delight. Whether it’s a sweet treat or a savoury dish, here are some of the best Thai food items you can’t miss out on!

Get Thai-ed up with these amazing food dishes

1. Pad Thai

Invented in the 1930s during a rice shortage, pad thai was created to encourage people to go for noodles instead. And it has worked! That’s thanks to the addition of a variety of ingredients like shrimp, chicken, tofu and more, coupled with the sweet, spicy and sour seasoning that has made this Thai food dish incredibly tasty. 

Ingredients:

• 225g dried rice noodles
• ½ cup chopped green onions
• ½ cup bean sprouts
• ½ cup shredded carrots
• ½ cup cubed tofu or chicken
• ½ cup chopped peanuts
• ¼ cup vegetable oil
• 2 tbsp fish sauce
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 2 tbsp tamarind paste
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp chilli paste
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 1 lime, cut into wedges

Cutlery:

• Wok or large frying pan
• Spatula or tongs
• Knife
• Cutting board

Instructions:

1. Soak the rice noodles in cold water for about 30 minutes or until soft.
2. In a small bowl, mix together the fish sauce, sugar, tamarind paste, rice vinegar, chilli paste, and minced garlic to make the sauce.
3. Heat the vegetable oil in a wok or large frying pan over high heat.
4. Add the tofu or chicken and stir-fry for about 3-4 minutes or until cooked.
5. Add the green onions, bean sprouts, and carrots and stir-fry for another 2-3 minutes.
6. Drain the rice noodles and add them to the pan with the vegetables and protein.
7. Pour the sauce over the noodles and stir-fry for another 2-3 minutes or until the noodles are heated through.
8. Serve the Pad Thai with chopped peanuts and lime wedges.

2. Tom Yum Goong

This sweet, sour and spicy soup is well-loved by many. Tom Yum Goong is a Thai food dish that’s known for its classic and bold flavours. Traditionally made with shrimp, this delectable soup has evolved to include ingredients like squid, chicken and even mushrooms.

Ingredients:

• 450g shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 4 cups water
• 2 stalks lemongrass, sliced into 2-inch pieces
• 3-4 slices galangal
• 3-4 kaffir lime leaves
• 2-3 red chili peppers, sliced
• 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
• ¼ cup fish sauce
• ¼ cup lime juice
• 1 tsp sugar
• Fresh cilantro for garnish

Cutlery:

• Large pot or wok
• Knife
• Cutting board

Instructions:

1. In a large pot or wok, bring the water to a boil.
2. Add the lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, and chilli peppers to the pot.
3. Let the ingredients simmer for about 10-15 minutes or until the broth is fragrant.
4. Add the shrimp to the pot and let them cook for 2-3 minutes or until they turn pink.
5. Add the mushrooms to the pot and let them cook for another 2-3 minutes.
6. Stir in the fish sauce, lime juice, and sugar.
7. Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning as needed.
8. Garnish the soup with fresh cilantro and serve hot.

3. Green Curry (Gaeng Keow Wan)

Gaeng keow wan, also known as green curry, is a Thai food dish that’s known for its vibrant green colour and complex blend of flavours. This dish is a favourite among those who love Thai food, especially when it comes to comfort food options.

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp green curry paste
• 2 cans coconut milk
• 1 chicken breast or beef, sliced
• 1 eggplant, sliced
• ½ cup bamboo shoots
• 2-3 kaffir lime leaves
• 1 tbsp fish sauce
• 1 tbsp palm sugar
• Fresh basil for garnish

Cutlery:

• Large pot or wok
• Knife
• Cutting board

Instructions:

1. In a large pot or wok, heat the green curry paste until fragrant.
2. Add the chicken or beef to the pot and cook until browned.
3. Add the coconut milk to the pot and stir well.
4. Add the eggplant, bamboo shoots, and kaffir lime leaves to the pot.
5. Let the curry simmer for about 15-20 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.
6. Add the fish sauce and palm sugar to the pot and stir well.
7. Taste the curry and adjust the seasoning as needed.
8. Garnish the curry with fresh basil and serve hot.

4. Stir Fried Basil Pork (Pad Krapow)

If you’re looking for a quick and easy Thai dish to satisfy your cravings, then pad krapow should do the trick. This popular Thai street food is a stir-fried dish that features ground meat, holy basil leaves, and a savoury sauce. It’s often served over rice and topped with a fried egg for a complete and filling meal.

Ingredients:

• 450g ground meat (chicken, pork, or beef)
• 2 cups holy basil leaves
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 Thai bird’s eye chillies, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce
• 1 tbsp fish sauce
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 fried egg (optional)
• Lime wedges (for serving)
• Jasmine rice (for serving)

Cutlery:

• Wok or large frying pan
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Knife and chopping board
• Small bowl

Instructions:

1. Cook the rice according to the package instructions and set aside.
2. In a small bowl, mix the soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce, and sugar until well combined. Set aside.
3. Heat the oil in a wok or large frying pan over medium-high heat.
4. Add the minced garlic and chopped chillies to the wok and stir-fry for 30 seconds or until fragrant.
5. Add the ground meat to the wok and stir-fry until it’s cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
6. Add the sauce mixture to the wok and stir-fry until the sauce has been absorbed by the meat, about 2-3 minutes.
7. Add the holy basil leaves to the wok and stir-fry for 30 seconds or until the leaves have wilted.
8. Remove from heat and serve the Pad Krapow over the rice.
9. Top with a fried egg (if desired) and serve with lime wedges on the side.

5. Spicy Green Papaya Salad (Som Tum)

Som tum is a good idea if you’re looking for Thai food that tastes fresh. This spicy green papaya salad is a refreshing and light appetiser that’s perfect for hot summer days – meaning everyday. We especially love this Thai food dish because you can always choose how sour, sweet or spicy you want it to be!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups shredded green papaya
• 1 tbsp dried shrimp
• 1 tbsp chopped peanuts
• 2 cloves garlic
• 2-3 bird’s eye chilli peppers (depending on your spice tolerance)
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 1 tbsp fish sauce
• 1 tbsp palm sugar
• 2 cherry tomatoes (optional)
• 2-3 green beans (optional)

Cutlery:

• Mortar and pestle
• Knife
• Cutting board
• Spoon

Instructions:

1. Wash and peel the green papaya. Using a sharp knife or a julienne peeler, shred the green papaya into thin strips and set aside in a mixing bowl.
2. In a mortar and pestle (available on Ossayi Official Store), pound the garlic and chilli peppers until they are finely crushed. If you don’t have a mortar and pestle, you can mince the garlic and chilli peppers with a knife and mix them in a separate bowl.
3. Add the dried shrimp to the mortar and pestle and pound until it is finely crushed. Add the mixture to the mixing bowl with the shredded green papaya.
4. Add the chopped peanuts, lime juice, fish sauce, and palm sugar to the mixing bowl.
5. Mix all of the ingredients together using a spoon, making sure that the sauce coats the papaya evenly.
6. If using, cut the cherry tomatoes in half and slice the green beans into bite-sized pieces. Add them to the mixing bowl and mix together with the papaya.
7. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. Add more lime juice or fish sauce if the salad is too sweet, or more palm sugar if it is too sour.
8. Serve the som tum on a plate, garnished with extra chopped peanuts and lime wedges.

6. Mango Sticky Rice (Khao Niew Mamuang)

You’ll no longer have to scour for the best mango sticky rice in Singapore when you’ve got this Thai food recipe. Having Khao niew mamuang is a satisfying way to end every meal. Better yet, you can have this treat any time – no one’s going to stop you from indulging!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup glutinous rice
• 1 can coconut milk
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 ripe mango
• Sesame seeds (optional)

Cutlery:

• Rice cooker or large pot with lid
• Steaming basket
• Saucepan
• Mixing spoon
• Knife

Instructions:

1. Rinse the glutinous rice in cold water until the water runs clear. Soak the rice in cold water for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours.
2. Drain the rice and add it to a rice cooker (available on Russell Taylors Singapore) or pot with 1½ cups of water. Cook the rice according to the instructions or until the rice is tender and fully cooked.
3. In a saucepan, combine the coconut milk, sugar, and salt. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is fully dissolved.
4. Once the rice is cooked, transfer it to a mixing bowl. Pour the coconut milk mixture over the rice and stir until the rice is fully coated.
5. Cover the mixing bowl with a lid or cling film and let the rice sit for at least 30 minutes to absorb the coconut milk.
6. While the rice is resting, peel and dice the ripe mango into bite-sized pieces.
7. Once the rice has absorbed all the coconut milk, stir it again to fluff it up. Spoon the rice onto a serving plate or bowl.
8. Top the rice with the diced mango and sprinkle with sesame seeds, if desired.
9. Serve and enjoy your delicious mango sticky rice!

7. Pineapple Fried Rice

Thai pineapple fried rice is a delicious and vibrant dish that is perfect for any occasion. With its mix of sweet and savoury flavours, it’s sure to impress all your guests! These sweet and juicy pineapples add a fruity flavour to the rice. Along with the chicken, shrimp, cashews and raisins, you get a fantastic all-rounded Thai food dish that’ll be right up your alley!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked long-grain rice
• 1 small ripe pineapple, peeled, cored, and chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 yellow onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp fish sauce
• 1 tbsp curry powder
• 1 tsp sugar
• ½ cup cashews, chopped
• ½ cup raisins
• 2 eggs, beaten
• ¼ cup chopped cilantro

Cutlery:

• Wok or large frying pan
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Knife
• Cutting board

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, fish sauce, curry powder, and sugar. Set aside.
2. Heat the vegetable oil in a wok or large frying pan over medium-high heat.
3. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Add the chopped onion and bell pepper and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until softened.
5. Push the vegetables to the side of the wok or pan and add the beaten eggs. Scramble the eggs until fully cooked, then mix with the vegetables.
6. Add the cooked rice to the wok or pan and stir-fry for 1-2 minutes until heated through.
7. Add the cashews, raisins, and pineapple to the wok or pan and stir-fry for another 1-2 minutes until the pineapple is slightly caramelised.
8. Pour the sauce mixture over the rice and stir-fry for 1-2 minutes until the rice is evenly coated.
9. Remove the wok or pan from the heat and stir in the chopped cilantro.
10. Serve hot and enjoy!

8. Chicken Coconut Soup (Tom Kha Gai)

Tom kha gai is a well-known Thai soup that is known for its creamy texture and impressive blend of flavours. Made with coconut milk, lemongrass, chicken, galangal, kaffir lime leaves and more, this Thai food dish is both rich yet well-balanced. 

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts, sliced
• 4 cups water
• 2 cans coconut milk
• 2 stalks lemongrass, sliced into 2-inch pieces
• 3-4 slices galangal
• 3-4 kaffir lime leaves
• 2-3 red chili peppers, sliced
• 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
• ¼ cup fish sauce
• ¼ cup lime juice
• 1 tsp sugar
• Fresh cilantro for garnish

Cutlery:

• Large pot or wok
• Knife
• Cutting board

Instructions:

1. In a large pot or wok, bring the water to a boil.
2. Add the lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, and chilli peppers to the pot.
3. Let the ingredients simmer for about 10-15 minutes or until the broth is fragrant.
4. Add the chicken to the pot and let it cook for about 5-7 minutes or until it is fully cooked.
5. Add the mushrooms to the pot and let them cook for another 2-3 minutes.
6. Stir in the coconut milk, fish sauce, lime juice, and sugar.
7. Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning as needed.
8. Garnish the soup with fresh cilantro and serve hot.

9. Crispy Thai Pancakes (Khanom Buang)

Now, here’s another sweet delight. Khanom buang are crispy pancakes that are sweet and creamy. They’re truly one of the most satisfying Thai food desserts that’ll definitely please your taste buds. 

Ingredients:

Batter

• 1 cup rice flour
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups coconut milk
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp turmeric powder

Filling

• 1 cup of grated coconut
• ½ cup of sugar
• ¼ cup of water
• ¼ tsp of salt
• 3 egg yolks

Cutlery:

• Piping bag
• Large bowl
• Saucepan
• Non-stick pan
• Spoon
• Spatula
• Serving plate

Instructions:

1. Begin by making the batter. In a large bowl, whisk together the rice flour, all-purpose flour, coconut milk, salt, and turmeric powder until smooth. Set aside for at least 30 minutes.
2. To make the filling, combine the grated coconut, sugar, water, and salt in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook until the mixture thickens and becomes sticky, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the egg yolks.
3. Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat. Once the pan is hot, reduce the heat to low and pour about 2 tablespoons of batter onto the pan, spreading it into a thin, round shape with a spoon. Cook until the edges of the pancake start to crisp up and the surface is no longer wet, about 2-3 minutes.
4. Using a spatula, carefully flip the pancake over and cook for another 1-2 minutes until both sides are golden brown and crispy.
5. Once the pancake is cooked, transfer it to a plate and immediately pipe the filling onto one side of the pancake using a piping bag. Fold the pancake in half, pressing the edges together gently.
6. Repeat with the remaining batter and filling until all pancakes are cooked and filled.
7. To serve, sprinkle sesame seeds on top of the pancakes (if desired) and enjoy!

Not Thai-m consuming with these easy Thai food recipes

You can easily recreate your favourite Thai food dishes with these recipes. So go ahead and  prepare the perfect meal at home. And we’re sure any of your guests will be impressed with your cooking skills too! Want more food recipes? Here are some Italian food recipes and Chinese food recipes that will do the trick!