familiarly as “drunken noodles”, these noodles are fried with a variety of spices and are typically ordered after a big night out when the diner has indulged in a few too many drinks. Served with a protein (pork, chicken, seafood or beef), the dish is usually available at aharn tham sung (made-to-order) stalls.
Pad Thai
ผัดไทย
The best-known type of fried noodle dish, the noodles here include both Chinese and Thai elements, such as rice noodles, tamarind juice and shrimp. Diners can usually opt for pad Thai with or without egg. Pad Thai vendors usually also serve hoy tod, a type of oyster-topped omelet or eggy crepe.
Rad na/Pad see ew
ราดหนา/ผัดซีอิ๊ว
Served with pork, chicken, seafood or beef, these rice flour noodles are fried and then covered in a thick gravy. The same stalls that serve rad na usually serve pad see ew, or rice noodles fried with soy sauce and some form of protein (pork, chicken, seafood or beef).
RICE DISHES
อาหารประเภทขาว
Rice, or khao, forms the backbone of Thai cuisine so it’s no surprise that it features prominently in street food. The following are the best-known types of rice dishes available:
Jok โจก
This Chinese-style rice porridge features smaller rice kernels and a thicker consistency than the Thai variation. It is usually accompanied by slivered ginger, green onion, pork meatballs, liver and/or innards. A half-cooked egg is optional as is the accompanying patongo (deep-fried dough).
Khao ka moo ขาวขาหมู
Rice served with a fatty, braised pork leg accompanied by braised leafy greens and a sour, vinegary chili sauce to cut the fatty aftertaste.
Khao man gai ขาวมันไก
A Thai-Chinese dish, steamed chicken with fatty rice is served with a clear broth and at least one form of chili-spiked brown bean sauce.
Khao mok gai
ขาวหมกไก
Loosely translated as “chicken buried in a mountain of rice”, this Thai-Muslim chicken dish usually features a chicken leg accompanied by rice colored yellow by turmeric, topped with deep-fried shallots and a spicy-tart chicken broth.
Khao na ped/moo
ขาวหนาเป็ ด/หมู
Rice topped with barbecued duck or pork. Both are usually served at the same food stall.
Khao niew gai yang/gai tod
ข้าวเหนียวไก่ย่าง/ไก่ทอด
This Northeastern Thai dish comprises sticky rice accompanied by barbecued or fried chicken and, usually, som tum (green papaya salad). It is among the more popular street food options in Bangkok.
Khao pad
ขาวผัด
Fried rice, usually served as part of an aharn tham sung cart but occasionally offered by noodle vendors to placate customers who either want something extra or aren’t in the mood for noodles.
Khao tom
ขาวตม
This Thai rice porridge is either served plain with a number of small side dishes or with a variety of proteins included in the broth (usually fish, assorted seafood, pork or chicken).
APPETIZERS
AND SNACKS
อาหารวาง
Thais are often described as “inveterate snackers” and their fondness for grazing usually leads them to one of these types of snacks between meals:
Guaythiew lod
กวยเตี๋ยวหลอด
Another type of flat noodle, this one is stuffed with pork or seafood and drizzled with a delicious sauce. The best examples of this are found in Chinatown.
Hoy tod
หอยทอด
Oysters fried in omelet, served with a sweet red chili sauce. These vendors usually also serve pad Thai.
Khanom jeeb
ขนมจีบ
These steamed Chinese dumplings include pork and seafood. The best examples can be found throughout Chinatown.
Krapho pla
กระเพาะปลา
Fish maw soup. The best examples are again found in Chinatown.
Nuea khem
เนื้อเค็ม
Translated as “salty beef”, this form of beef jerky—traditionally
