Diverse and vibrant, Thai cuisine is renowned as one of the world's best. And there's no need to venture into upscale restaurants to enjoy it! Street food is a true institution in the Land of Smiles—particularly in Bangkok where it's a way of life—allowing you to taste delicious traditional dishes at ultra-affordable prices in the countless street restaurants. Discover 8 street food specialties to absolutely try during a trip to Thailand.

1. Skewers

Grilling enthusiasts should not miss the skewers you'll find on every corner of Bangkok and throughout Thailand. Most skewers consist of chicken satay placed on a bamboo stick and grilled over fire. They're typically served with a delicious peanut and spice sauce and accompanied by vegetables and rice. You'll also find many pork or even fish skewers.

2. Som Tum, Green Papaya Salad

Called Som Tum, green papaya salad is a signature dish of Thailand. Originating from the northern region in the Isaan region, this refreshing salad is primarily composed of shredded green papaya, chilies, tomatoes, lime juice, fish sauce and peanuts. Depending on the region, you'll find variations with Som Tum recipes featuring shrimp or fermented crab. Equally beloved by locals and tourists, Thai papaya salad offers a true burst of flavor for the palate. That's the least one can say given the spices it contains. So if you're only tolerant of mildly spiced dishes, remember to specify "Mai Phet" when ordering, which means "not spicy" in Thai.

3. Kai Tod, Fried Chicken

While fried chicken is a staple of most street food worldwide, the Thai version is likely to surprise you with its flavors. Indeed, Kai Tod consists of coating the chicken (wings or drumsticks) in rice flour mixed with spices, chili and garlic. Once fried, the chicken is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Kai Tod is enjoyed with chili sauce and served with Thai rice. After tasting Kai Tod, there's a good chance you'll find any other fried chicken bland in comparison…

4. The Famous Pad Thai

It needs no introduction… Pad Thai is THE signature dish of Thailand. This stir-fried rice noodle dish with tamarind, onions, bean sprouts, fish sauce, lime juice and peanuts has the advantage of satisfying all tastes. You'll find it with chicken, shrimp, beef, seafood, tofu and/or vegetables for vegetarians… One thing is certain, it's one of the cheapest and most flavorful street food dishes you can try during your trip to Thailand.

5. Kai Jeow, Thai Omelet

An authentic and traditional dish, Kai Jeow is a Thai omelet made from eggs, fish sauce, chilies and herbs. Generally served with rice and chili sauce, Kai Jeow can also contain vegetables (in which case it's called Kai Jeow pak) or ground pork (then called Kai Jeow moo sub). While this omelet is particularly consumed by locals at breakfast time, you can enjoy it at any time of day in the many street restaurants throughout the country.

6. Noodle Soup

Among the other street food dishes to absolutely try, you can discover the essential noodle soup. Prepared in large pots, noodle soups consist of noodles, broths and numerous vegetables. You'll find all varieties with meat, fish or vegetarian versions. Soup enthusiasts can also try tom kha kai, a coconut milk chicken soup, or tom yam kung, a spiced soup with lemongrass, sweet and sour flavors and shrimp.

7. Mango Sticky Rice

For those with a sweet tooth, Mango Sticky Rice is THE Thai dessert to try without fail. This delicacy is enjoyed at the end of a meal or as a snack at any time of day. It's sticky rice cooked in a Thai bamboo steamer basket that's mixed with coconut cream, sugar and topped with slices of yellow mango and sesame seeds. Note that in street food, Mango Sticky Rice is often wrapped in banana leaves folded into small rectangles.

8. Banana Rotees

We finish our culinary escapade with banana rotees. These are thin crepes that are both crispy and soft, filled with banana slices and condensed milk. You'll also find them in other flavors, with chocolate or other fruits like mango. A delight not to be missed under any circumstances!

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