stdClass Object ( [ID] => 29487 [post_author] => 14 [post_date] => 2013-05-07 04:30:05 [post_date_gmt] => 2013-05-07 04:30:05 [post_content] => THE reputation of Thai food is known the world over for being savory, spicy and all-around delicious. This reputation is well-deserved, as Thai cuisine is an endless smorgasbord of flavors and interesting combinations. And perhaps the best part about exploring the local food scene in various parts of the country? It's all cheap, with most dishes you can find at hole-in-the-wall eateries or market stalls coming in at less than $2USD. Although Pad Thai is probably the best-known Thai meal - and you can get some very tasty versions of it in Thailand - it's being left off this list in favor of some lesser-known but excellent foods.

Khao Soi

This Chiang Mai dish is this author's favorite Thai food and that is saying something. It's a spicy noodle dish in a semi-thick broth made with coconut milk. You'll find different variations depending on where you eat it, but Khao Soi is often served with a whole chicken drumstick and accompanied by fresh chopped onions, pickled mustard leaves and lime to stir in for additional flavor. The dish consists of wet rice noodles as well as crisped dry noodles served on top of the broth, for an extra crunch. This is widely available in the north of the country. You can find it in Bangkok and down south, but you'll have to do a bit more looking. [caption id="attachment_29747" align="aligncenter" width="1000" caption="Khao Soi Photo: Courtesy komkrich ratchusiri via Shutterstock"][/caption]

Pat Gra Pao

This spicy dish is simple but packs a wallop of flavor. It consists of minced pork (or chicken) cooked with garlic, Thai basil and chilis, and delivers a burst of flavor and spice with every bite. It's often served over a bed of steamed rice, which is a good thing because you'll need that to balance out the heat. Many locals like to add a fried egg on top. [caption id="attachment_29748" align="aligncenter" width="1000" caption="Pad Gra Pao Photo: Courtesy of mmmx"][/caption]

Massaman Curry

There seems to be no end to the varieties of curries offered all over Thailand, but if you try only one, make it a Massaman curry. The sheer number of complementary ingredients are what give this curry its distinct flavor, including palm sugar, star anise, coconut milk, tamarind sauce, fish sauce, chilis and a number of other spices. The result is a well-rounded dish that reflects not only the unique traces of Thai cooking but the Muslim origins of the curry as well. [caption id="attachment_29750" align="aligncenter" width="1000" caption="Massaman curry Photo: Courtesy GOLFX via Shutterstock"][/caption]

Sai ua, Chiang Mai sausages

If these other dishes haven't packed enough heat for your spice-hungry taste buds, Sai ua most certainly will. In addition to being set-your-mouth-on-fire hot, the minced pork is packed with herbs and spices, so you get a variety of sweet and savory flavors as you chew. This sausage is particularly common in the northern part of the country, such as Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Mae Hong Son and can often be purchased at roadside stands for less than $1USD. [caption id="attachment_29758" align="aligncenter" width="1000" caption="Sai ua Photo: Courtesy of wasanajai via Shutterstock"][/caption]

Som tum, Papaya salad

Made with tangy slices of unripe papaya, this salad is a staple of Thai cuisine. It comes together with a variety of other ingredients, which can include chilis, garlic, crabs, dried shrimp, palm sugar, fish sauce and lime. The spice in the salad will test your nerve, to be sure, but papaya salad is actually quite refreshing in the Thailand heat. Goes down nicely with sticky rice and some barbecued chicken, pork or fish. [caption id="attachment_29753" align="aligncenter" width="1000" caption="Som tum Photo: Courtesy of harikarn via Shutterstock"][/caption] [post_title] => 5 dishes you have to try in Thailand [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => 5-dishe-to-try-in-thailand [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2013-05-10 10:23:24 [post_modified_gmt] => 2013-05-10 10:23:24 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => http://www.travelwireasia.com/?p=29487 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw )