How to Eat Like a Local in Thailand

Travellers to Thailand may struggle to distinguish between its many food options, despite its reputation for excellent dining and authentic Thai cuisine. Thailand offers a diverse range of traditional dishes, from street food in Bangkok to fine dining experiences. Whether you head to the country on a business trip or a holiday tour, here's how to sample the best meals and desserts that Thailand has to offer.

Dine on the Streets

There's no better place to go than the streets of major cities when it comes to authentic Thai food and the best snacks in the country. This is particularly true when it comes to the streets of Bangkok and other major tourist hubs in Thailand where locals and expats rely on street food vendors for their breakfast and lunch meals. Food carts, food stalls and kiosks selling fresh juices, Thai shakes, fried yams and piping hot bowls of Pad Thai can be found in most major towns in Thailand where locals are used to digging into their breakfast or lunch while walking, shopping or commuting to their workplace. Fried insects are another speciality that tourists will find by the roadside in Bangkok.

Hit the Markets and Other Bazaars

Travellers on a budget have been wining and dining in night markets and other thoroughfares for decades as Thailand's bustling thoroughfares are ideal for sampling delicious snacks and other affordable meal options. Venues including the Chatuchak Weekend Market and the Rod Fai Market are also fantastic food hotspots for the masses as kiosks selling barbequed seafood items and refreshing Thai desserts are all part of the landscape. The floating markets in Thailand including those in Bangkok and other regions are ideal for digging into local noodle dishes, freshly prepared beverages and even fruits that are unique to Thailand.

Go on a Food Tour

Foodies with an interest in culinary history or the best restaurants in an area can also sign up for a food tour during a holiday in Thailand. Those who are based in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and other popular destinations will find plenty of local tour operators organising food tours that delve into the cuisine and food culture of a particular location. Whether you wish to understand the street food scene, the coffee culture, or beers brewed in Thailand, you are bound to find a special food tour that meets your needs. Those based at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort or any of the other Chiang Rai hotels can book a tour online or through their accommodation provider.

Thai Cafeterias

Cafeterias also play an important role in major cities in Thailand as most office workers and employees dine at these simple but effective dining hotspots that are usually set up in parking lots. Food trucks and pop-up stores are all part of Thailand's cafeteria scene so tourists who are wandering the streets of Bangkok or any other city can also take a look at the menus of these affordable food joints where locals grab a meal daily.

Traditional Food Hubs

Around the country, there are also restaurants that specialise in regional cuisines of Thailand as well as the special dishes that are prepared only during celebrations or are part of royal menus. Bangkok is home to some of the best restaurants in this regard as the Thanying Royal Cuisine, Issaya Siamese Club and the Nahm Restaurant are all found in the capital. It is equally important to seek out regional fare when venturing outside of Bangkok as regional dishes are a world apart from what most of us recognise as Thai food. Chiang Rai, for example, is known for fermented sour sausage dishes such as Naem and Sai Ua.