Thailand’s cuisine is enjoyed around the world and Thai restaurants can be found in pretty much every major city. However, there’s nothing quite like trying the real thing and the millions who travel to Thailand each year on holiday will attest to the country’s delicious food. As a major tourist destination, getting to Thailand is easy, and you will be able to enjoy great local cuisine at any time of the day.

Street food is a major attraction in Thailand for both locals and tourists. Everyone from office workers in the heart of Bangkok to tourists vacationing in Chiang Mai in the north or Phuket to the south can easily get street food in town. Chicken or beef satay is a popular choice and will be familiar to western tourists. The chicken is grilled fresh and marinated with local herbs and spices before being served on a skewer. Accompanied by a bag of sticky rice, it makes the quintessential Thai meal on the go.

Som tam, known in English as papaya salad, is another popular Thai dish that is not to be missed. It consists of thin slices of papaya and other produce such as tomatoes, peppers and basil then mixed with fish sauce and sugar to create a meal that is full of contrasting flavours. It is often garnished with crumbled peanuts and dried shrimp adds extra flavour and texture. Som tam can be found at almost any restaurant in Thailand.

Thai soups and curries are world-renowned for their flavour. Tom yum, or lemongrass soup, is a great option for those who love sour foods. Sometimes made with coconut milk, the soup is sour, spicy and a little sweet all at the same time. It usually comes with the diner’s choice of chicken, shrimp, beef or duck. Along with tom yum, Thai cuisine features two contrasting curries - red and green. Native to the southern portions of the country, these rich coconut-based curries are both spicy and sweet and go well with rice.

Thailand is a foodie’s dream destination with everything from elaborate curry dishes to fresh exotic fruit. The country’s cuisine varies from north to south, but most dishes can be sampled easily in the capital of Bangkok. Here, Thai restaurants and street vendors are in abundance and fresh ingredients are delivered daily to create the country’s distinct, aromatic and delicious dishes.