5 Must-Eat Thai Foods & Desserts at The Best Thai Restaurants

Singapore is a melting pot of cultures, and its food scene reflects the diversity in this country. But even for Singaporeans with a discerning palate, Thai cuisine is a must-try. From its vibrant street food to its rich flavors and aromas, Thai food is a culinary adventure for the senses. From spicy curries to refreshing desserts, here are some must-eat dishes in Thailand that you simply cannot miss:

1. Pad Thai

When in Thailand, you should not miss the classic Thai dish “Pad Thai” at all costs. The noodles are perfectly cooked and tossed in a flavorful sauce made with tamarind paste, fish sauce, palm sugar, and chili flakes. The dish is then topped with a generous portion of a choice of protein such as shrimp, pork, or chicken, as well as bean sprouts, peanuts, and lime wedges. You will appreciate the bold and harmonious blend of ingredients. Here are the top 3 restaurants for Pad Thai in Thailand for you:

1.1) Jay Fai

A Michelin-starred restaurant in Bangkok that is known for its crab omelet, but its Pad Thai is also excellent. Jay Fai’s Pad Thai is made with fresh, high-quality ingredients, and special technique is used while cooking the noodles in a wok over charcoal. This gives the noodles a smoky flavor and a slightly crispy texture. Moreover, a variety of unique ingredients is added to her Pad Thai such as crab meat, dried shrimp, and preserved squid.

The result is a Pad Thai dish that is unlike any other since it is flavorful, complex, and incredibly satisfying for those who have tried. Jay Fai’s Pad Thai is so popular that people often have to wait for hours to try it. But for many foodies, the wait is worth it.

If you are a fan of Pad Thai, or if you are simply looking for a unique and delicious culinary experience, it is highly recommended trying Jay Fai’s Pad Thai. It is one of the best Pad Thai dishes you will ever have.

It is a popular restaurant among Singaporeans who travel to Thailand. Here are some of the reasons:

• Price range: High
• Atmosphere: Casual and unique
• Pad Thai: Unique Pad Thai made with fresh, high-quality ingredients and charcoal-fired cooking
• Popular with Singaporeans: Yes, due to its Michelin-starred status, unique Pad Thai, and convenient location

Location: 327 Maha Chai Rd, Samran Rat, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200 (Map)
Instagram: jayfaibangkok

1.2) Pad Thai Thip Samai

This legendary restaurant in Bangkok has been serving up delicious Pad Thai for over 70 years, and it is one of the first restaurants in Bangkok to serve pad thai. The noodles are perfectly chewy and the sauce is rich and flavorful. And with its reasonable price, Pad Thai Thip Samai is also very popular with Singaporeans as it is classic and authentic.

When ordering Pad Thai from Thip Samai, make sure that you try the Pad Thai Goong Sod (Pad Thai with shrimp) or the Pad Thai Fai Ta Lu Special (Pad Thai with shrimp, pork, and chicken). Both dishes are excellent, and they are sure to please even the pickiest eaters.

It is a popular restaurant among Singaporeans who travel to Thailand. Here are some of the reasons:

• Price range: Medium
• Atmosphere: Casual and traditional
• Pad Thai: Traditional Pad Thai made with fresh, high-quality ingredients
• Popular with Singaporeans: Yes, due to its legendary reputation, authentic Pad Thai, and reasonable prices

Location: 313-315 Maha Chai Rd, Khwaeng Samran Rat, Bangkok 10200 (Map)
Website: Thipsamai

1.3) Baan Phadthai

Baan Phadthai is a retro-styled restaurant in Bangkok that elevates the Pad Thai conversation. The recommended dish, Pad Thai Kung Mae Nam Yang, features well-grilled whole river prawns, tasty rice noodles, and a flavorful sauce made with over 18 ingredients that add texture and complexity to the dish.

The restaurant’s signature dessert, Tub Tim Krob, pairs ruby water chestnuts with coconut juice granita, young coconut flesh, and candle-smoked coconut syrup. This dessert is also well-known among Thais. With its mild sweetness and fragrance from the ingredients, it is impossible to forget its taste once you have tried it.

About this restaurant, Baan Phadthai is known for its use of fresh, high-quality ingredients and its meticulous attention to detail. The Pad Thai noodles are perfectly cooked, the sauce is perfectly balanced, and the prawns are grilled to perfection. Tub Tim Krob is a refreshing and unique way to end a meal.

It is a popular restaurant among Singaporeans who travel to Thailand. Here are some of the reasons:

• Price range: Medium-high
• Atmosphere: Casual and friendly
• Pad Thai: Authentic and unique Pad Thai dishes made with fresh, high-quality ingredients
• Popular with Singaporeans: Yes, due to its authentic and unique Pad Thai dishes, reasonable prices, convenient location, and positive reviews

Location: 21-23 Soi Charoen Krung 44, North Sathorn, Bangkok 10500 (Map)
Website: baanphadthai

2.Tom Yum Goong

Tom Yum Goong is a spicy and sour soup mainly made with shrimp, lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, chili, and lime juice. It is another very popular dish in Thailand, and it is also popular with Singaporeans. Tom Yum Goong is typically served with rice, and it can be enjoyed as a starter or a main course. Here are the top 4 restaurants in Thailand where Singaporeans must eat Tom Yum Goong.

2.1) Somboon Seafood

A Michelin-starred restaurant that is known for its high-quality seafood and its authentic Thai cuisine. As the soup is known for its rich and flavorful broth and its generous amount of seafood, Tom Yum Goong at Somboon Seafood is then made with a variety of fresh seafood including shrimp, mussels, and squid. And it is flavored with a variety of spices including lemongrass, galangal, and kaffir lime leaves.

It is a popular restaurant among Singaporeans who travel to Thailand. Here are some of the reasons:

• Price range: High
• Atmosphere: Casual
• Tom Yum Goong: Michelin-starred
• Signature Tom Yum Goong Dish: Tom Yum Goong with Shrimp, Mussels, and Squid

Location: centralwOrld (Map), Siam Square One (Map) (See More Branch)
Website: somboonseafood

2.2) Laem Charoen Seafood

Another popular seafood restaurant that is known for its Tom Yum Goong. Tom Yum Goong at Laem Charoen Seafood is also made with fresh seafood and a variety of spices, and it is served in a hot pot to keep the temperature high. The soup is known for its sour and spicy flavor and its generous amount of seafood.

It is a popular restaurant among Singaporeans who travel to Thailand. Here are some of the reasons:

• Price range: Affordable
• Atmosphere: Casual
• Tom Yum Goong: Popular seafood restaurant
• Signature Tom Yum Goong Dish: Tom Yum Goong with Seafood in a Hot Pot

Location: Siam Paragon (Map), ICONSIAM (Map) (See More Branch)
Website: laemcharoenseafood

2.3) Thip Samai

Not only this is a popular restaurant that is known for its Pad Thai, but it also serves a delicious Tom Yum Goong. The Tom Yum Goong at Pad Thai Thip Samai is made with fresh seafood and a variety of spices, and it is known for its sour and spicy flavor. The soup is also known for its generous amount of seafood.

It is a popular restaurant among Singaporeans who travel to Thailand. Here are some of the reasons:

• Price range: Affordable
• Atmosphere: Casual
• Tom Yum Goong: Popular restaurant
• Signature Tom Yum Goong Dish: Tom Yum Goong with a Sour and Spicy Flavor

Location: 313-315 Maha Chai Rd, Khwaeng Samran Rat, Bangkok 10200 (Map)
Website: Thipsamai

2.4) Jay Fai

A Michelin-starred restaurant that is known for its unique and delicious Thai dishes. The Tom Yum Goong at Jay Fai is made with fresh seafood and a variety of spices, and it is known for its rich and flavorful broth. The soup is also known for its unique presentation, as it is served in a clay pot with a charcoal fire underneath.

It is a popular restaurant among Singaporeans who travel to Thailand. Here are some of the reasons:

• Price range: High
• Atmosphere: Casual and unique
• Tom Yum Goong: Michelin-starred
• Signature Tom Yum Goong Dish:: Tom Yum Goong with a Rich and Flavorful Broth

Location: 327 Maha Chai Rd, Samran Rat, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200 (Map)
Instagram: jayfaibangkok

3. Som Tum

Som Tum is a papaya salad that is made with shredded green papaya, tomatoes, cucumbers, chili, peanuts, lime juice, and fish sauce. It is a refreshing and spicy salad that is perfect for a hot day. Som Tum is typically served with sticky rice, and it can be enjoyed as a starter or a main course. Here are the top 3 restaurants in Thailand where Singaporeans must eat Som Tum:

3.1) Somtum Der

A popular restaurant in Bangkok that is known for its delicious and authentic Som Tum. The salad is made with fresh, high-quality ingredients, and it is perfectly seasoned. The papaya is crunchy, the tomatoes are juicy, and the peanuts are nutty. 

Somtum Der is so popular among Singaporeans that the restaurant has even been featured on Michelin Bib Gourmand. Somtum Der’s Som Tum is authentic and delicious, and it is made with fresh, high-quality ingredients, it will be an unforgettable experience for those who have tried it.

It is a popular restaurant among Singaporeans who travel to Thailand. Here are some of the reasons:

• Price range: Medium-high
• Atmosphere: Casual
• Signature Som Tum Dish: A restaurant recommended by Michelin, featuring a delectable dish of som tum with grilled chicken.

Location: Location: 5/5 Sala Daeng Road Silom, Bang Rak, Bangkok, 10500 (Map)
Website: somtumder

3.2) Somtum Nua

Another popular restaurant in Bangkok that is known for its delicious Som Tum. The salad is made with fresh, high-quality ingredients, and it is perfectly seasoned. The papaya is crunchy, the tomatoes are juicy, and the peanuts are nutty. Somtum Nua’s Som Tum is also very popular among Singaporeans as it is located in a convenient location near Siam Square. 

Somtum Nua’s Som Tum is delicious and authentic, and it is made with fresh, high-quality ingredients. The restaurant is also very popular among Singaporeans since it is located in a convenient location.

It is a popular restaurant among Singaporeans who travel to Thailand. Here are some of the reasons:

• Price range: Medium-high
• Atmosphere: Casual
• Signature Som Tum Dish: Som tum with grilled pork shoulder

Location: Location: Siam Square (Map), Central Embassy (Map), centralwOrld (Map)
Instagram: somtamnua

3.3) Madam Somtum

Madam Somtum is a Michelin-recommended restaurant in Bangkok that is known for its delicious Som Tum and other Isaan (Northeastern Thai) dishes. The restaurant has many famous visitors, including Jackson Wang, who is a big fan of Som Tum with rice paddy crabs.

The som tum at Madam Somtum is made with fresh, high-quality ingredients and is known for its authentic flavor and generous portions. The rice paddy crabs are a delicious and unique addition to the dish, and a bit of luxury is added in each dish.

It is a popular restaurant among Singaporeans who travel to Thailand. Here are some of the reasons:

• Price range: Medium
• Atmosphere: Casual
• Signature Som Tum Dish: Som Tum with rice paddy crabs

Location: Location: 888/14 Phloen Chit Rd, Lumphini, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330 (Map)
Facebook: madamsomtum

4. Massaman Curry

A mild and nutty curry that is made with potatoes, peanuts, coconut milk, and a variety of spices. It is one of the most popular curries in Thailand. It is also popular among Singaporeans as well. Massaman Curry is typically served with rice as a main course. Here are the top 3 restaurants in Thailand where Singaporeans must eat Massaman Curry:

4.1) Blue Elephant Restaurant and Cooking School

This classic Thai restaurant serves a Lamb Massaman curry that is inspired by a poem by King Rama II. The Massaman curry at the Blue Elephant Restaurant and Cooking School is made with a variety of spices, including cardamom, cumin, coriander, and cinnamon, which gives it a unique and delicious flavor. The curry also contains coconut milk, potatoes, and peanuts, which add richness and creaminess. The curry is typically served with rice, and it can be topped with a variety of proteins, such as chicken, beef, or shrimp.

The Massaman Curry from the Blue Elephant Restaurant and Cooking School is reasonably priced, especially considering the quality of the ingredients and the preparation of the dish. The restaurant is also located in a convenient location in both Bangkok and Phuket, available for tourists in both cities to try the dish.

It is a popular restaurant among Singaporeans who travel to Thailand. Here are some of the reasons:

• Price range: Medium-high
• Atmosphere: Casual
• Signature Massaman Curry Dish: Massaman curry is a popular dish that can be made with a variety of meats, such as chicken, beef, or lamb.

Location: Location: Bangkok (Map), Phuket (Map)
Website: Blue Elephant Restaurants

4.2) Khao

Khao is a Michelin-starred restaurant in Bangkok, celebrated for its exquisite Massaman Curry. This dish is a Thai classic with influences from Persian and Indian cuisine, known for its creamy, mildly spicy, and nutty flavor profile. If you are a Singaporean foodie, we highly recommend trying Lamb Shanks in the curry. It is a delicious and authentic Thai dish that is made with fresh, high-quality ingredients. The lamb shanks are tender and juicy cooked in the rich and flavourful Massaman curry sauce.

The Lamb Shank in Mussaman Curry at Khao is priced at 650 Thai baht (approximately 25 SGD). This is a reasonable price for a Michelin-starred restaurant, especially considering the quality of the ingredients and the preparation of the dish.

It is a popular restaurant among Singaporeans who travel to Thailand. Here are some of the reasons:

• Price range: High
• Atmosphere: Sophisticated and elegant
• Signature Massaman curry Dish: Their signature Massaman curry dish is the Lamb Shank in Mussaman Curry.

Location: Location: Ekkamai (Map), Wireless Road (Map)
Website: Khao

4.3) R-HAAN

R-Haan’s distinction as a 2 Michelin-starred restaurant makes it an essential destination for Singaporeans who appreciate exceptional fine dining experiences, especially in Thailand. The Michelin recognition is a testament to the restaurant’s culinary excellence.

Massaman Curry at R-Haan is a culinary masterpiece. It is known for its impeccable balance of flavors, blending creamy coconut milk with aromatic spices and tender meat, typically beef or lamb. The dish is a perfect representation of the complexity and harmony in Thai cuisine.

It is a popular restaurant among Singaporeans who travel to Thailand. Here are some of the reasons:

• Price range: High
• Atmosphere: Sophisticated and elegant
• Signature Massaman curry Dish: Their signature Massaman curry dish is the Massaman Curry with Grilled Chicken.

Location: Location: 131 Pai Di Ma Di Klang Alley, Khwaeng Khlong Tan Nuea, Khet Watthana, Bangkok 10110 (Map)
Website: r-haan

5. Mango Sticky Rice

Sticky Rice with mango, or “Khao Niew Mamuang” in Thai, is a beloved Thai dessert. It is made with glutinous rice that is cooked in coconut milk and sugar, and it is served with fresh mango and coconut cream. Sticky Rice with mango is a delicious and refreshing dessert that is perfect for a hot day. Here are the top 3 restaurants in Thailand where Singaporeans must eat mango sticky rice.

5.1) Mae Waree Sweet Sticky Rice

Singaporeans who are looking to indulge in a quintessential Thai dessert should consider visiting Mae Waree Sweet Sticky Rice for a memorable Mango Sticky Rice experience. With its authentic flavors, variety of mangoes, and affordable pricing, this is an opportunity to savor a beloved Thai treat while exploring the vibrant culinary scene in Bangkok.

The cost of Mango Sticky Rice at Mae Waree Sweet Sticky Rice can vary, but it is generally reasonably priced, making it accessible to a wide range of visitors. Mae Waree is located in Bangkok, Thailand.

It is a popular restaurant among Singaporeans who travel to Thailand. Here are some of the reasons:

• Price range: Medium

Location: Location: 1 Thong Lo, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110 (Map)
Instagram: @maevareeofficial

5.2) Sor Boonprakobpanich

Sor Boonprakobpanich is a family-owned restaurant that has been serving traditional Thai desserts for over 80 years. The mango sticky rice is made with fresh, high-quality ingredients and is cooked to its perfection. The mango sticky rice at Sor Boonprakobpanich is simply delicious. The mangoes are always perfectly ripe and sweet for the dish. The sticky rice is also cooked to perfection. The combination of the sweet mangoes and the chewy sticky rice is simply irresistible.

The mango sticky rice at Sor Boonprakobpanich is beautifully presented. The mangoes are sliced and arranged on top of the sticky rice, and the dish is garnished with fresh coconut flakes and pandan leaves.

It is a popular restaurant among Singaporeans who travel to Thailand. Here are some of the reasons:

• Price range: Medium

Location: Location: 1474 Charoen Krung 44 Alley, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500 (Map)
Facebook: sorboonprakobpanich

5.3) Mae Thong Kham

Another popular restaurant in Bangkok that is known for its delicious mango sticky rice, if you are seeking for an authentic taste of Mango Sticky Rice, Mae Thong Kham is a fantastic choice. With its commitment to quality and affordability, along with options for both dine-in and takeaway, it offers a delightful opportunity to indulge in a beloved Thai dessert while exploring the vibrant culinary scene of Bangkok.

Mae Thong Kham offering a dine-in option with a spacious indoor seating area for customers who want to enjoy their mango sticky rice in a comfortable and relaxed setting.

It is a popular restaurant among Singaporeans who travel to Thailand. Here are some of the reasons:

• Price range: Medium

Location: Location: 173 Soi Udom Suk 5, Bang Na Nuea, Bang Na, Bangkok 10260 (Map)
Facebook: maethongkham

Exploring Thailand’s culinary scene is a must for any Singaporean foodie. With its wide variety of dishes, vibrant flavors, and affordable prices, Thai food is sure to tantalize your palate and amplify your wants.

Tips for Enjoying Thai Food

• Be adventurous: Thai cuisine has something to offer everyone. Feel free to try new dishes.
• Start with mild dishes and work your way up: Thai food can be spicy. Start with mild dishes and work your way up to spicier dishes if you can handle it.
• Ask for recommendations: If you are unsure what to order, ask your server for recommendations. They can help you choose dishes that you’re sure to enjoy.
• Share dishes: Thai food is meant to be shared, feel free to order a variety of dishes to try.
• Enjoy the experience: Thai food is more than just a meal, it is such an experience. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the flavors and aromas of this delicious cuisine.

Singaporean foodies will find these dishes from Thailand a delightful extension of their culinary adventures. Be sure to explore the local food culture and savor these iconic dishes during your travels. And do not forget to bring a credit card with various benefits to help you save money on all those delicious meals!

Here are a few credit cards with restaurant benefits that are popular with Singaporean foodies:

Rabbit Care hopes this list helps you find the perfect place to eat Thai food in Thailand!