A Tasty Introduction to Thai Food | A Top 10 List of Thai Foods You MUST Try in the UK

In our opinion, Thai food is quickly surpassing Indian in popularity when it comes to the classic British Saturday night takeaway. But knowing what to order can be a bit tricky if you haven't ventured too far into the Thai cuisine spectrum. Finding something you love to eat and sticking with it can be a great idea, but you will never experience the full variety of delicious Thai foods on offer.

We have put together this detailed list of 10 delicious Thai meals that we think you should try next time you order from your local Thai Takeaway or restaurant. This list has been hand picked by us based on personal experience on what our customers love to order from our hot Thai food takeaway shop in Bolton.

Chip away at the list below and please try each dish at least once. The full spectrum of tasty Thai foods goes far beyond this list of dishes but this list can be used as a starting point for you to enjoy some tasty new Thai dishes. Tick off the ones you have tried and be sure to give all the other dishes a go.

All the photos are taken by us and are from the meals we sell in our hot food takeaway shop in Bolton, and For anyone interested, our first Thai take away business is called Thai Kitchen www.thaikitchen.co.uk established in 2011.

10) Pad King (Fresh ginger stir fry)

 

What does Pad King Taste Like?

This is a popular stir-fried dish that typically features sliced ginger (khing) as one of its main ingredients. The exact ingredients and preparation method can vary, but pad khing commonly includes garlic, Thai bird's eye chili peppers (for heat), and a sauce made from soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sometimes a bit of sugar to balance the flavours. Vegetables like bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms are often added to the stir-fry for additional texture and flavour. The freshly sliced ginger is the real star of the show and is what gives the dish its distinct aroma.

 

 

9) Pad Prig Geng (Spicy Thai red curry paste stir fry)

 

 

What does pad prig geng stir fry taste like?

Pad Prig Geng is a spicy Thai stir-fry dish featuring a choice of protein, typically chicken, pork, beef, shrimp, or tofu, stir-fried with a flavourful chili paste (typically Red curry paste) which is made by pounding together dried red chilies along with garlic, shallots, and other spices.

It's complemented well with added vegetables like bell peppers and cubes aubergines, seasoned with fish sauce, soy sauce, and sugar to achieve a harmonious balance of flavours. The dish is known for its spicy and aromatic profile, and fresh basil leaves are added just before serving to enhance its fragrance and taste.

 

8) Pad Thai

 

What does Pad Thai Taste Like?

A good Pad Thai is the crown jewel of Thai street food, is an electrifying taste explosion on a plate! Imagine tender, stir-fried rice noodles, dancing in a wok with succulent king prawns, savoury chicken, or velvety tofu. They're joined by a symphony of flavours: the zing of tamarind paste, the umami punch of fish sauce, the sweet embrace of sugar, and a subtle kick from chili flakes.

This vibrant medley is further enriched with crunchy bean sprouts, fluffy scrambled eggs, and a generous sprinkling of chopped peanuts. And the grand finale? A dazzling presentation, crowned with lime wedges and fragrant coriander, accompanied by extra crushed peanuts and chili flakes, allowing you to orchestrate your own flavour crescendo.

Pad Thai is not just a dish; it's a sensational journey for your taste buds, inviting you to savour the thrilling interplay of sweet, sour, and savoury sensations. At Mae Ja Thai Foods Online we have crafted an exceptional Pad Thai Sauce that truly captures the essence of this Thai street food dish.

We also have put together our own Mae Ja Pad Thai Cooking Kits that contain everything you need to create a delicious authentic pad Thai kit at home. Our Pad Thai kits are available on the Mae Ja Thai Shop.

 

7) Laab Spicy Thai salad with fresh mint

 

 

What Does Larb Thai Salad Taste Like?

Laab Thai salad is a culinary party in your mouth that hails from the heart of Thailand! Take some minced meat, often chicken or pork and get it doing a sizzling cha-cha in a hot pan, while aromatic herbs like mint and coriander shimmy in anticipation. The real star of the show, though, is the zesty lime juice and fish sauce combo, joining the festivities with its tangy twirl and savory swagger.

This spicy Thai fiesta is cooled down by crunchy lettuce leaves that serve as the dance floor for this culinary tango. But wait, there's more! Chilies add a spicy punch, and toasted rice powder sprinkled on top provides a delightful savoury crunch, turning this salad into a symphony of textures and flavours that'll make your taste buds do the salsa! Laab Thai salad is a taste sensation that's as lively as a fiesta and as delicious as your favourite dance move.

 

6) Gai Pad Med Mamuang (Chicken with cashew nuts)

 

 

What does chicken with cashew nuts taste like?

Thai chicken with cashew nut stir fry is a delightful fusion of flavours and textures. Tender chicken breast pieces, stir fried and infused with the aromatic goodness of garlic, ginger, and Thai basil. The real game-changer here is the cashew nuts, bringing a satisfying crunch and a nutty richness to every bite.

But what takes this dish to the next level is the sauce – a savoury blend of soy sauce, oyster sauce, and a touch of chili flakes for a hint of heat. This sauce coats the ingredients, creating a mouthwatering symphony of sweet, salty, and mildly spicy notes. To add some freshness and vibrancy, colourful bell peppers and crisp snap peas join the mix. The result is a Thai chicken with cashew nut stir fry that's a delightful explosion of flavours, sure to satisfy your taste buds with each and every bite.

 

5) Gai Yang, Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce

 

What does Thai chicken satay and peanut sauce taste like?

Prepare to be tantalized by the delectable Thai chicken satay with peanut sauce! Succulent strips of chicken, marinated in a harmonious blend of aromatic spices like turmeric, lemongrass, and garlic. These flavour-infused morsels are then threaded onto skewers and grilled to perfection, acquiring a tantalizing smoky char.

But the real star here is the peanut sauce, a velvety concoction crafted from roasted peanuts, creamy coconut milk, a touch of chili for a subtle heat, and a squeeze of lime for a refreshing zing. This sauce is the secret sauce, quite literally, as it’s the heart of this dish. Its creamy richness pairs perfectly with the tender, grilled chicken, creating a harmonious balance of flavours and textures.

 

4.1) Tom Yum Thai hot and spicy sour soup

 

 

What does Tom Yum Soup Taste Like?

Tom Yum soup is a visually vibrant Thai delight with a clear, reddish-orange broth adorned by a colourful medley of ingredients such as shrimp, vegetables, and fresh herbs. This soup is a tantalizing fusion of flavours, featuring a zesty sourness from lime juice or tamarind, a delightful spiciness from Thai bird's eye chilies, and a satisfying saltiness from fish sauce or soy sauce. The result is a refreshingly aromatic and invigorating experience that balances sweet, sour, salty, and spicy elements in a single bowl, making Tom Yum soup a beloved Thai classic.

 

4.2) Tom Kah Thai Coconut Soup

Everyone talks about Tom Yum But not many people know about this delicious Thai soup, That's why we have slipped it in here at number 4.2 as an honourable mention because this soup is to die for!!!

What does Tom Kah Soup Taste Like?

Tom Kah soup is a visually enticing Thai creation, featuring a creamy and fragrant coconut milk broth that's typically a pale ivory colour. This rich and velvety base is infused with a harmonious blend of ingredients such as succulent chicken or shrimp, mushrooms, and often slices of galangal (a ginger-like root) and lemongrass. The soup is garnished with fresh coriander leaves and sometimes lime leaves, which add a burst of green and a burst of citrusy fragrance to the bowl.

The taste of Tom Kha is a delightful balance of creamy and mildly sweet coconut milk, complemented by the zesty and herbal notes from the galangal and lemongrass. It's a harmonious symphony of flavours, with a gentle warmth from Thai chilies, and it's known for its comforting and satisfying qualities, making it a beloved Thai soup that's both soothing and delectable.

 

3) Masaman Curry

 

 

What Does Masaman Thai Curry Taste Like?

Masaman curry is a tantalizing Thai dish that boasts a rich and complex flavour profile combining sweet and savoury, with a touch of spiciness, influenced by its Indian heritage.

The dish typically features tender chunks of beef or chicken, slow-cooked in a luscious sauce made from coconut milk, roasted peanuts, and an array of aromatic spices like cumin, cardamom, cinnamon, and star anise, which lend a warm and earthy depth to the dish. The sweetness comes from palm sugar, beautifully balancing the savoury notes, and a gentle heat is introduced by Thai chilies.

Masaman curry is a fusion of Thai and Indian culinary traditions, resulting in a harmonious blend of flavours that's as rich as it is unforgettable, with beef being the preferred protein to create a truly indulgent experience for your taste buds.

Mae Ja Masaman Thai Curry Sauce by Mae Ja Thai Foods Online

We have our very own hand crafted Thai Masaman Thai curry sauce, made in the UK that is available to purchase now. If you would like to taste the flavours of Thai Masaman Curry then be sure to check out our Thai Sauce Shop for this wonderful Thai Curry Sauce

 

A quick word from the Creators of Mae Ja

It is worth mentioning at this point that this is a fairly detailed Thai foodie blog, written by a human (Not A.I)  that has ZERO third party adverts...

You're Welcome :)

I was reading a blog post only yesterday and it was SO heavily laden with pointless adverts and pop-ups that it rendered the blog completely unreadable.

We hope that you are finding this list of tasty Thai foods informative and entertaining to read. If you are a lover of Thai food then please consider joining our email list. That way we can keep you updated on any new Thai food blog posts that we publish. Our email subscriber for can be found on our home page at www.maejathaifood.co.uk

And if you ever wanted to support our little family Thai food business be sure to check out our Thai Sauce Shop for some delicious Thai cooking sauces that we can post directly to your home.

Back to the blog!

 

2) Thai Green Curry

What does Thai Green Curry Taste Like?

Thai green curry is a culinary sensation that has captured mainstream popularity worldwide, and here's why: it's a symphony of exotic Thai flavours that excite every corner of the palate.

This dish features tender chicken, shrimp, or tofu enveloped in a creamy coconut milk broth that provides a luxurious and comforting base. What truly sets it apart is the use of vibrant green Thai chilies, aromatic Thai basil, and lemongrass, which infuse the dish with a captivating freshness and a fiery kick. It's this bold yet balanced flavour profile that has won the hearts of people globally.

Thai green curry manages to strike a harmonious chord between spiciness and savory richness, creating a taste sensation that's both exotic and accessible. It's the perfect gateway to Thai cuisine for those seeking an adventure in bold and unforgettable flavours, making it a beloved choice on menus worldwide.

Of course we have a delectable Thai green curry sauce available to buy now from our Thai Sauce Shop Quite possibly the most popular out of all of the Thai curry varieties and rightly so! Mae Ja Thai Green Curry Sauce has the perfect balance of rich creaminess, zesty freshness, and a subtle kick of spiciness that characterises everything you would expect from an authentic Thai green curry.

 

And in our top spot of the most popular, most requested Thai dish, Drum Roll Please...

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1) Pad Krapow (Garlic and basil spicy Thai stir fry)

What Makes Pad Krapow So Popular?

Pad Gra Prow, also known as Thai Basil Chicken, is a beloved Thai dish that has achieved mainstream popularity within Thailand and beyond. It holds a special place in Thai cuisine as a staple comfort food, often enjoyed by people from all walks of life. What makes Pad Gra Prow stand out is its unbeatable combination of simplicity and bold flavours.

Prepared in a sizzling wok, this dish typically features ground or sliced chicken stir-fried with a generous amount of Thai holy basil leaves, garlic, Thai bird’s eye chilies, and a savoury sauce made from oyster sauce, soy sauce, and a touch of sugar. The result is a fragrant and spicy concoction that’s served over a bed of steamed rice. It’s common to find a fried egg on top, its yolk oozing and mixing with the aromatic basil-infused sauce, adding richness to each bite.

One of the fascinating aspects of Pad Gra Prow is its ubiquity in Thailand. You can find it everywhere, from street food stalls to upscale restaurants. Its affordability and quick preparation make it a favourite among students, workers, and families alike. While traditionally made with chicken, it’s not uncommon to find variations with pork, beef, or seafood to cater to various tastes. The dish’s explosive flavours, affordability, and versatility have propelled it to be a Thai culinary icon, enjoyed both at home and as a go-to choice for a quick and satisfying meal in Thailand and around the world.

 

A final word from the Mae Ja team

As you embark on your own culinary journey through the tantalizing world of Thai cuisine, be sure to use this list as a guide to excite the adventurous person inside of you and uncover the treasure trove of Thai flavours, from the aromatic Tom Yum soup to the fiery Thai green curry.

Whether you're a traveler seeking authentic street food experiences or a home cook eager to recreate these dishes in your kitchen, the heart of Thailand's rich gastronomic culture is now at your fingertips with todays online ordering services. Despite this advance in online food ordering, Thai cuisine still seems to be hard to come by in the UK. If you have a tasty Thai restaurant near you then you are one of the lucky ones!!

Where to get authentic Thai Sauces in the UK

If you're ready to bring the true taste of Thailand into your home, look no further than Mae Ja Thai Cooking Sauces. Our handcrafted sauces are meticulously prepared with authentic Thai ingredients and will transport your taste buds to the vibrant streets of Thailand.

So, after indulging in these top 10 Thai delights, head over to our Thai Sauce Shop and continue your culinary adventures with the Mae Ja Thai cooking sauces.