If you love bold flavors, fresh herbs, and a perfect dance of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy, Thai cuisine is your happy place. In this guide, I round up the 33 best Thai dishes to try at least once. Whether you are new to Thai food or already obsessed, you will find stir-fries, curries, noodles, soups, salads, grilled specialties, snacks, and desserts that show why Thai cooking captivates the world.
Use this as a checklist for your next Thai meal. I also share tips on how to order like a local, what spice levels to ask for, and how to pair dishes for a balanced table. At the end, you’ll find a quick note about Lim Ros, a Thai restaurant in the Orlando area, where you can try several of these dishes today.
How to Order Thai Food Like a Pro
- Balance the table. Aim for a mix: 1 curry, 1 stir-fried dish, 1 noodle or fried rice, 1 soup, and 1 salad or grilled item, plus rice.
- Spice level matters. “Mild” keeps chilies light. “Medium” brings a pleasant bite. “Thai hot” is for heat lovers.
- Share everything. Thai meals are meant for sharing, which lets you sample more dishes.
- Don’t forget rice. Jasmine rice (or sticky rice for Isaan and Northern plates) completes the flavors and tames heat.
The 33 Best Thai Dishes
The list is grouped by category so you can build a perfect spread. Use it as your go-to reference whenever you crave Thai food.
Noodles & Street-Cart Classics
- Pad Thai
Perhaps the most famous Thai noodle dish. Rice noodles are wok-tossed with egg, tofu, or your choice of protein, then finished with tamarind, fish sauce, and palm sugar for a sweet-savory tang. Bean sprouts, chives, and crushed peanuts add crunch and aroma. Tip: squeeze in lime and mix well before your first bite.
- Pad See Ew
Wide rice noodles seared with soy sauce, egg, and Chinese broccoli. The hallmark is that delicious smoky wok-kiss on the noodles. Usually available with chicken, pork, beef, or tofu.
- Pad Kee Mao (Drunken Noodles)
A fiery noodle stir-fry with holy basil, garlic, chilies, and lots of aromatics. Perfect if you want something bolder and spicier than Pad See Ew.
- Khao Soi
Northern Thai egg noodles in a fragrant curry broth, often topped with crispy noodles. Pickled mustard greens, shallots, and lime cut through the richness. Traditionally served with chicken.
- Boat Noodles (Kuai Tiao Ruea)
Deeply savory broth noodle soup, usually beef or pork, layered with spices, herbs, and a hint of richness. Bold, comforting, and incredibly satisfying.
- Yen Ta Fo
A pink-tinted, sweet-savory noodle soup that gets its color from fermented red bean curd or sauce. It often includes seafood, fish balls, tofu, greens, and a crunchy wonton. A must for adventurous noodle lovers.
- Bamee Moo Daeng
Egg noodles with char siu-style pork, crunchy greens, and a clear savory broth. Light, soothing, and perfect when you want something flavorful without heavy spice.
Curries You Should Not Miss
- Green Curry (Gaeng Keow Wan)
Fragrant with Thai basil and chilies, green curry is slightly sweet, herbal, and spicy. Usually simmered with eggplant and your choice of protein. It loves jasmine rice.
- Panang Curry
Creamier and slightly sweeter than red curry, Panang is thick, nutty, and aromatic with kaffir lime. It clings beautifully to meat or tofu.
- Massaman Curry
A mellow, gently spiced curry influenced by Persian flavors. Often loaded with potatoes, onions, and roasted peanuts. Superb comfort food.
- Red Curry (Gaeng Phed)
Classic red curry paste simmered in coconut milk with bamboo shoots or veggies. Bright, spicy, and versatile.
- Jungle Curry (Gaeng Pa)
A rustic, non-coconut curry that brings assertive heat and a forest of herbs. For spice lovers.
- Duck Curry
Often a red curry with slices of duck breast, tomato, pineapple, and grapes. Rich, fruity, and festive.
Stir-Fries and Wok Favorites
- Pad Kra Pao (Pad Gra Prow)
Thai basil stir-fry with garlic and bird’s eye chilies. Often served with a crispy fried egg over rice. One of Thailand’s beloved everyday dishes.
- Kua Kling (Kua Gling)
Southern Thai dry curry stir-fry with ground pork or chicken and kaffir lime leaves. Zesty, intense, and spicy.
- Pad Prik King
A stir-fry featuring a chili paste similar to red curry but without coconut milk, often with green beans and crispy pork belly.
- Pad Priew Wan
Thai sweet-and-sour stir-fry with pineapple, bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes. Lighter and fruitier than Chinese versions.
Grilled & Isaan (Northeast) Specialties
- Crying Tiger (Suea Rong Hai)
Grilled beef, sliced and served with a tangy, spicy nam jim jaew dipping sauce and sticky rice. Smoky, juicy, and a perfect shareable plate.
- Kor Moo Yang
Grilled pork jowl with a caramelized edge, served with nam jim jaew and pickled veggies. Tender, rich, and highly snackable.
- Moo Ping
Thai pork skewers marinated in coconut milk and aromatics, char-grilled and slightly sweet. Street-food heaven.
- Khao Moo Dang
A comforting rice plate with barbecued red pork, Chinese sausage, a soft egg, and sweet-savory gravy. A Thai-Chinese classic.
- Larb (Laab/Larp)
A minced meat salad with roasted rice powder, lime, fish sauce, shallots, and herbs. Serve with sticky rice and raw vegetables. Larb gai (chicken) is especially popular.
- Nam Tok
Similar to larb but often made with grilled beef, giving it a smoky depth. Lots of lime and herbs keep it bright.
Soups & Salads That Wake Up the Palate
- Tom Yum
Hot and sour soup seasoned with lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaf, and chilies. Choose the clear version or the creamy version with a bit of evaporated milk or coconut milk. Seafood tom yum is iconic.
- Tom Kha
A coconut-forward soup with galangal, lemongrass, and kaffir lime leaf. Milder than tom yum and wonderfully aromatic, often with chicken.
- Som Tum (Papaya Salad)
Shredded green papaya pounded with chilies, garlic, fish sauce, lime, and palm sugar. Sweet, sour, and spicy crunch in every bite. Pairs perfectly with grilled meats and sticky rice.
- Yum Woon Sen
Glass noodle salad with shrimp or minced pork, brightened by lime, fish sauce, chilies, and lots of herbs. Light yet punchy.
- Pla Goong
A spicy shrimp salad with lemongrass, shallot, mint, and lime. Fresh, zesty, and deeply Thai.
Rice, One-Dish Comforts, and Chef’s Specials
- Pineapple Fried Rice
A golden fried rice with curry powder, pineapple, cashews, egg, and a mix of proteins. Sweet-savory and festive.
- Crab Fried Rice
Light, fluffy fried rice studded with sweet crab, scallions, and lime. Simple, elegant, and very Thai.
- Goong Ob Woon Sen
Baked shrimp with glass noodles, ginger, garlic, and herbs. The noodles soak up all the savory juices.
- Kanom Jeen Nam Ya
Fermented rice noodles served with a rich, aromatic fish or crab curry sauce and lots of fresh vegetables and herbs on the side.
- Pla Rad Prik
Crispy whole fish topped with a sweet-spicy chili sauce. Crunchy, saucy, and a showstopper for the table.
Snacks, Starters, and Sides to Round Out Your Meal
- Fried Spring Rolls: Cabbage, carrot, and glass noodles in a crisp wrapper.
- Chive Cakes: Pan-fried, savory, and served with a lightly sweet soy dip.
- Chicken Satay: Skewers with peanut sauce and cucumber relish.
- Tod Mun Goong: Shrimp “donuts” with a light crunch and a sweet-tangy dip.
- Sticky Rice: Essential with Isaan dishes, grilled meats, and larb.
- Jasmine Rice: The everyday pairing for curries and stir-fries.
Pro Tips for Spice, Pairing, and Dietary Needs
- Dial the heat. If you are sensitive to spice, ask for mild and add chili flakes at the table.
- Gluten questions. Many Thai dishes are naturally gluten-friendly, but soy sauce and oyster sauce can contain gluten. Always ask your server.
- Vegetarian and vegan options. Many places can make curries and stir-fries with tofu and vegetables. Ask whether fish sauce is used and request a vegetarian alternative if needed.
- Balance rich with bright. A creamy curry pairs well with a crunchy salad like som tum and a clear soup or light stir-fry.
- Order family-style. Thai food shines when shared. Three diners can easily enjoy five or six plates and taste more of the menu.
Building a “Best Thai Dishes” Feast
Here is a sample table for four using dishes from the list above:
- Noodles: Pad See Ew or Khao Soi
- Curry: Green Curry or Panang Curry
- Stir-Fry: Pad Kra Pao or Kua Kling
- Salad: Som Tum or Larb Gai
- Soup: Tom Yum or Tom Kha
- Grilled: Crying Tiger or Kor Moo Yang
- Rice & Sides: Jasmine rice or sticky rice, plus a starter like Fried Spring Rolls
- Dessert: Mango Sticky Rice or Thai Tea Pudding
- Drink: Thai Iced Tea or Butterfly Pea Lemonade
This mix gives you heat, richness, crunch, and freshness in equal measure.
Where to Try These Best Thai Dishes in Orlando: Lim Ros
If you are in the Orlando area and want to taste several of the best Thai dishes on one menu, Lim Ros Thai Restaurant, in the Maitland/Winter Park area, is a great pick. Our Thai food menu features many of the classics from this guide. Examples you can look for:
- Pad Thai, Pad See Ew, Green Curry, and Panang Curry are on the menu.
- Northern and noodle specials such as Khao Soi Gai, Bamee Moo Daeng, and Yen Ta Fo appear on their online ordering pages.
- Grilled and Isaan favorites like Crying Tiger, Kor Moo Yang, and Moo Ping are listed among their appetizers and mains.
- Street-food and snack staples including Fried Spring Rolls, Chive Cake, Chicken Satay, and Tod Mun Goong are available.
- Flavor-packed specialties like Kua Gling (Kua Kling), Leng Zabb (spicy-sour pork rib soup), Khao Moo Dang, Kanom Jeen Namya Pu (crab curry with rice noodles), and Goong Ob Woon Sen show real depth beyond the usual suspects.
- Comforting rice dishes such as Pineapple Fried Rice and Crab Fried Rice are there, plus soups like Tom Kha Gai and Creamy Tom Yum Seafood.
- For dessert and drinks, look for Mango Sticky Rice, Thai Tea Pudding, and Thai Iced Tea.
- You can also browse the official Lim Ros menu pages for more details and seasonal arrivals.
Note: Menus change, so check the restaurant’s current menu before you go or order online.
Conclusion
Thai cuisine is vibrant, balanced, and endlessly varied. From wok-seared noodles like Pad Thai and Pad See Ew to soulful soups like Tom Yum and Tom Kha, from fragrant curries such as Green, Panang, and Massaman to grilled plates like Crying Tiger and Kor Moo Yang, there is always something new to love. Use this list of 33 best Thai dishes as your roadmap, mix up spicy and mild, crunchy and creamy, and do it family-style so everyone gets a taste.
If you are near Maitland, Orlando, and want to try a range of these best Thai dishes, Lim Ros has you covered. Dishes such as Khao Soi, Pad Thai, Crying Tiger, Kua Gling, Tom Kha, Pineapple Fried Rice, Goong Ob Woon Sen, and Mango Sticky Rice are among the options you can find there, with rotating arrivals and specials to keep things interesting. Check their current menu and dive in.
