Dishes You’ll Travel Back to Thailand to Eat Again
Flavors Worth Flying For: Thailand’s Best Eats Revealed
The food in Southeast Asia is crafted with fresh ingredients and years of care, resulting in recipes that honor both the traditions and history of the region. When traveling through Thailand on our honeymoon, we experienced some delicious restaurants, food stalls, and local spots that rocked our taste buds. We are still discussing the dishes we ate in Chiang Mai and Bangkok, and we joke about traveling back to Thailand just to eat them all over again.
Chiang Mai is known for dishes such as Kaho Soi and Massaman Curry, but the local ingredients used in these dishes cannot be replicated in the United States. These are dishes we sought out when traveling through the city and came across some great spots that I’ll uncover the secret in this blog. We watched "Someone Feed Phil" on Netflix, as well as "Parts Unknown" featuring Anthony Bourdain, to see what they recommended as top locations to try our luck.
You can stumble across delicious food stalls in the local street markets in the city of Bangkok or along the moat in Chiang Mai. The flavors are unmatched, and you can’t go wrong no matter where you decide to eat, but these are my recommendations for some unforgettable spots to eat delicious food in Thailand.
Bangkok: Legendary Eats Worth the Journey
Wattana Panich
336 338 Ekkamai Rd, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
Braving Bangkok’s slow-moving traffic was worth every minute once we sat down at Wattana Panich. This legendary spot is renowned for its 40+ year-old goat soup, a broth that has been simmering continuously for decades. Each day, bones and fresh herbs are added to the pot, building layers of rich, complex flavor that make every bite unforgettable.
The menu was printed in both Thai and English, and the staff were kind in answering our questions and offering recommendations. The atmosphere is casual and open-air, right on the side of a busy road, and it operates on a cash-only basis.
I ordered their famous beef noodle soup, and it was bursting with flavor, the meat was tender, the broth aromatic, and each spoonful had me craving more. My husband tried the pad see ew with chicken, and the noodles were perfectly cooked and seasoned. It’s the kind of meal that stays with you long after you’ve left.
Goat Soup with 40+ year old broth
Wattana Panich
Inside Wattana Panich
Chiang Mai: Our Favorite Food Stops in Chiang Mai (And Why We Went Back for Seconds)
Pakorn's Kitchen
20 7 Sridonchai Rd, Tambon Chang Khlan, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand
Pakorn’s Kitchen served some of the best food we ate in Chiang Mai! Their khao soi was rich, flavorful, and perfectly balanced. Even my husband, who usually avoids spicy food, was able to enjoy the dishes here comfortably. The staff were warm, welcoming, and spoke English, which made for easy conversation and a fun dining experience.
We loved it so much that we ended up eating here twice during our stay; it felt like a true hidden gem. Sitting outside, enjoying incredible Massaman curry (seriously, Netflix-worthy!) while watching the street traffic go by made the experience unforgettable.
Massaman Curry that should be featured on Netflix
Pakorn’s Kitchen
Street View of Pakorn’s Kitchen
Chiang Mai
Khao Soi Lung Prakit Kad Kom
29, 1 Ratchaphuek Alley, Tambon Chang Phueak, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50300, Thailand
When a restaurant gets featured on Parts Unknown with Anthony Bourdain, you know you have to try it, and this khao soi lived up to the hype. Be warned, though: spicy is an understatement! As someone who doesn’t usually enjoy very spicy food, this was intense for me. My experience quickly became a rhythm of one spoonful of that aromatic broth followed by one sip of water.
But beyond the heat, the dish was phenomenal. The chicken practically fell off the bone, infused with layers of bold, savory flavor. If you can handle (or at least brave) the spice, this khao soi is absolutely worth the experience.
Spicy Khao Soi
Recognized by Anthony Bourdain on Parts Unknown
Marinating chicken legs
Inside Khao Soi Lung Prakit Kad Kom
Thailand is a dream destination for food lovers. From simmering soups in Bangkok to flavorful curries in Chiang Mai, every meal told a story of tradition, culture, and passion for flavor. These were the dishes that left us wanting more, the kind of food that tempts you to book another ticket just to taste it all over again.
For more of my real, raw reviews, you can find me on TripAdvisor at @Shorelysweetlife, where I share even more unfiltered recommendations and travel tips. Until then, consider these spots my personal must-tries the next time you’re in Thailand.
