Wondering what to eat in Thailand when you visit next? You’ve come to the right place. Thai food is our favorite. When we first traveled to Thailand in 2000, we were introduced to the exotic flavors of Thailand from north to south and it’s been our top choice for international food ever since.
Upon returning home, we bought the book Entree to Asia and have been making Thai food (and other Asian recipes) at home for two decades. We always look forward to going back to Thailand to discover more authentic Thai cuisine. It’s the one food of the world that never gets old.
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The Best Thai Food
This post was originally written by Thai food expert Mark Weins who shared his favorite Thai fish dishes that are not to be missed. If you want to read about more Thai cuisine check out our post Best Thai Food – Traditional Thai Dishes to Eat in Thailand or at Home
Thai Fish Dishes
Fish is a major part of Thai cuisine, and in Thailand, it’s not just the neat boneless fillets that are used, but the entirety of the fish. All Thai fish dishes and photos by Mark Weins of Migrationology.
1. Pla Pao
Roasted fish in Thailand is stuffed with crushed lemongrass stalks, coated in a thick layer of salt, and roasted over low coals on the grill. Tear away the skin, grab a chunk of the moist flaky flesh, dip it into the sweet and sour chili sauce, and you’ve got a bite to cherish! Get the full recipe here
2. Pla Duk Yang
Not being the prettiest of creatures, catfish luckily make up flavor-wise for what they lose with their looks. Smoked over low heat, catfish soak up an unbelievable amount of smokiness to add to their addictive taste. The flesh remains firm, almost meat-like, while the skin turns golden and crunchy!
3. Pla Kapong Neung Manao
Known as Asian seabass, or barramundi, this fish is first steamed plain and then drenched in a zesty lime soup. The heaps of garlic, fresh diced chilies, and cilantro are the taste-bud-awakening flavors that make it such a remarkable Thai dish. See how to prepare this dish on EatingThaiFood.
4. Pla Tod Cumin
Marinated in freshly ground turmeric root, then deep-fried to a crisp, these little guys are the definition of comforting culinary satisfaction. Along with a big plate of rice, pla tod cumin is one of my favorite things to eat in Thailand! See how to make this Southern Thai food by following this recipe.
5. Miang Pla Too
Miang Pla too is a little meal package that includes a fried mackerel, soft rice noodles (khanom jeen), lettuce and napa cabbage leaves, and a variety of different herbs.
In a similar fashion to constructing a taco, grab a piece of lettuce, fill it up with noodles, a piece of fish, throw some herbs on top, and be sure to generously douse it in chili lime sauce before devouring! Check out this easy-to-follow recipe.
6. Pla Tod Rad Prik
Deep-fried fish is delicious enough on its own, but take the fried fish and baptize it in a sweet and sour chili laced sauce, and you’ve got a recipe of ultimate tastiness.
7. Pad Pla Keun Chai
Along with the marvels of intact fish dishes, various forms of stir-fried fish are also common in Thai food. Pad pla Keun Chai is a fantastic dish that’s flavored with oyster sauce and fried in combination with red chilies and baby celery leaves.
8. Pla Chon Lui Suan
If there’s one Thai dish that boasts the quintessential tastes of Thai cuisine on a single plate it’s pla chon lui suan. Steamed with a garden of vegetables, coated in a fiery hot and dangerously tart dressing, and topped with pungent slices of raw garlic and mint sprigs, each mouthful delivers a blast of culinary delight.
9. Pla Ta Pien Tom Kem
Simmered for over 20 hours in a bath of sugar cane juice and ginger, pla ta pien tom kem is a unique traditional Thai dish. The tender flesh is so soft that you can actually slice straight through the bones and eat the entire carcass!
Check out more food from around the world:
- Ultimate Greek Food Guide – Traditional Dishes to Eat in Greece
- 13 Delicious Moroccan Foods to Eat When Visiting Morocco
- Canadian Food – Delicious Dishes and Drinks from Canada
- Polish Cuisine – Must-Try Traditional Polish Foods
- Top Brazil Cuisine – 10 Delicious Brazilian Food Ideas
Read More about Thailand:
- Beautiful Beaches in Thailand to Spark Your Wanderlust
- Best Things to do in Bangkok, Thailand – Plus Insider Local Tips
- 35 Amazing Things to Do in Thailand in 2021
- Thailand Travel Tips – 32 Things to Know Before you Go
- 35 of the Best Things to do in Chiang Mai, Thailand
- The Best Things to do in Koh Samui, thailand
- Best Things to do in Phuket, Thailand
- Best Things to do in Krabi, Thailand
- Ultimate 3 Days in Bangkok – A Local’s guide to The Perfect Bangkok Itinerary
I would love to visit Thailand. Heard soo many wonderful things about there. Where should I stay once there? Moderately priced 5 star?
I knew this was a post from Mark! I’d eat anything he recommended.
YUM! I love fish and all things spicy so think I would like a lot of these dishes. Unfortunately I was only in Thailand for a couple of weeks so far this year, so have yet to try any of these, but I’m looking forward to getting back there now!
Yah, if you love fish and spicy, Thailand is the place!
Incredible! I’m such a huge Thai food fan!!!
Since Ayngelina showed me how to eat a whole fish last year in Buenos Aires, I am ready to explore the culinary delights of Thailand!
Great to hear that Stephanie, I think eating the whole fish includes so many extra goodies!
Hi,
I love your articles.
I would love to try to make ‘Pla Ta Pien Tom Kem’. Do you know where I could find the recipe for this?
Thanks, Bea
Hey Bea,
I can’t find a recipe in English, but there’s a video recipe in Thai, and if you watch you can see the ingredients and cooking methods and hopefully figure it out (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ML39b404fJc). If you make it, let me know how it goes!