Thai Food for Indian Travelers: 10 Must-Try Dishes & How It Compares to Indian Cuisine
Why Indian Travelers Love Thai Food
For Indian travelers, Thai cuisine offers a familiar balance of spice, sweetness, and tang—but with totally different ingredients. Coconut milk instead of cream, fish sauce instead of garam masala, basil instead of coriander. It’s new, yet comforting.
Both cuisines are:
Rice-based
Rich in curries and gravies
Focused on bold flavors
Offer vegetarian-friendly dishes
But Thai food leans more on sour, salty, and sweet elements, while Indian food relies more on spices and earthy flavors.
Is Thai Food Spicy Like Indian Food?
Yes, Thai food can be spicy, but not in the same way as Indian food.
Thai spice comes mostly from bird's eye chilies, not from dry masalas
Heat level can be adjusted upon request ("spicy", "medium", or "no chili")
Even spicy Thai food is lighter on the stomach than Indian curries
Tip: Say “Mai Phet” (ไม่เผ็ด) if you want your food less spicy.
Top 10 Popular Thai Dishes You Must Try
1. Pad Thai (Thai-Style Noodles)
What it is: Stir-fried rice noodles with tofu, shrimp/chicken, egg, bean sprouts, and crushed peanuts.
Why Indians love it: Mild, nutty, a bit tangy—perfect street food.
Vegetarian-friendly? Yes, if ordered without fish sauce and shrimp.
Similarity to Indian food: Like a Thai version of chowmein, but sweeter and less oily.
2. Tom Yum Goong (Hot & Sour Soup)
What it is: A hot, sour soup made with lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, shrimp, and chilies.
Taste: Zesty, spicy, citrusy.
Vegetarian-friendly? Can be made without shrimp.
Indian comparison: Similar to rasam—but with lemongrass instead of tamarind.
3. Green Curry (Gaeng Keow Wan)
What it is: Creamy curry with coconut milk, green chilies, eggplant, meat, or tofu.
Taste: Spicy-sweet and fragrant.
Vegetarian-friendly? Yes, with tofu and vegetables.
Indian comparison: Resembles a light Kerala-style veg curry with coconut base.
4. Som Tam (Papaya Salad)
What it is: Shredded raw papaya, tomato, peanuts, lime, and chilies pounded together in a mortar.
Taste: Fresh, crunchy, tangy, and spicy.
Vegetarian-friendly? Yes, if made without dried shrimp or fish sauce.
Indian comparison: Like a Thai kachumber salad with a punch of lime and chili.
5. Khao Pad (Thai Fried Rice)
What it is: Jasmine rice stir-fried with egg, garlic, and veggies or meat.
Taste: Mild and customizable.
Vegetarian-friendly? Yes.
Indian comparison: Similar to veg fried rice but subtler and less greasy.
6. Massaman Curry
What it is: Rich, creamy curry with potatoes, meat, cinnamon, cloves, and peanuts.
Taste: Sweet-spicy and earthy.
Vegetarian-friendly? Can be made with tofu and vegetables.
Indian comparison: Closer to Mughlai or Kashmiri curry with Thai flavors.
7. Mango Sticky Rice (Khao Niew Mamuang)
What it is: Sweet sticky rice topped with ripe mango slices and coconut milk.
Taste: Sweet, tropical, refreshing.
Vegetarian-friendly? 100%
Indian comparison: Like a chilled Thai version of kheer—but with mango!
8. Pad Kra Pao (Basil Stir-Fry)
What it is: Ground meat stir-fried with holy basil, garlic, and chilies, served with rice and fried egg.
Taste: Spicy and bold.
Vegetarian-friendly? Yes, with tofu or mushrooms.
Indian comparison: Closest to keema with Thai basil twist.
9. Panang Curry
What it is: Thicker, creamier curry made with red curry paste and coconut milk.
Taste: Rich, slightly sweet, not too spicy.
Vegetarian-friendly? Yes.
Indian comparison: Similar in body to butter masala, but with peanut and kaffir lime.
10. Satay (Grilled Meat Skewers)
What it is: Marinated chicken or beef skewers grilled and served with peanut sauce.
Taste: Smoky and nutty.
Vegetarian-friendly? Rare, but some restaurants offer tofu satay.
Indian comparison: Like chicken tikka, but sweeter with peanut dip.
Vegetarian and Jain Options in Thailand
Most restaurants offer vegetarian dishes if you say “Jay” (เจ) — which means no meat, fish sauce, egg, or dairy.
Indian restaurants are widespread in Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, and Chiang Mai.
In supermarkets, look for labels like "Jay" or "Vegetarian" in English.
Jain food is harder but possible in Indian restaurants and some Buddhist-run vegan cafes.
Tips for Indian Travelers Eating in Thailand
Ask for less spice if you're unsure—some chilies can burn!
Avoid fish sauce if you’re vegetarian—it’s commonly added even to veg dishes.
Carry small snacks (like theplas, biscuits) for remote islands or villages
Drink bottled water—avoid tap water or uncooked street food in low-traffic areas
Don’t hesitate to try local food courts in malls—clean, cheap, and tasty!
