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How to order Thai food in Thailand
There are many restaurants in tourist areas mostly will understand English to an extent, learning the Thai words and phrases will really open more opportunity to try local cuuisine
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อัปเดตล่าสุด: 2026-01-02 09:07:15
🍜 How to Order Thai Food in Thailand
Your Complete Thai Language Guide for Dining Like a Local
🎥 Learn to Order Food Like a Thai Local
🌟 Welcome to the World of Thai Cuisine! Thai food is one of the most popular cuisines in the world. While many restaurants in tourist areas understand English to some extent, learning Thai words and phrases will really open more opportunities to try local cuisine in a more authentic and likely cheaper way!
You'll enjoy learning Thai and get to eat delicious food both at restaurants and local food areas around Thailand. Let's dive into the essential phrases and vocabulary you need to know! 🇹🇭
🙏 Polite Ending Words Make Phrases More Respectful
Very Important! These ending words make your sentences or questions more polite and respectful:
- 👨 If you are MALE: End your sentences with "ครับ" (krup/krap)
- 👩 If you are FEMALE: End your sentences with "ค่ะ" (ka)
💡 Pro Tip: Always add these endings to show respect and politeness. Thai people really appreciate when foreigners make the effort to be polite in their language!
🍽️ How to Say 'I Would Like' to Order in Thai
🎨 The Food Flavors in Thai
Here are the words for some of the main flavors you'll encounter in Thai cuisine:
🎯 Ready to Experience Authentic Thai Food?
Join our Bangkok Food Tour and taste the real flavors of Thailand with local guides!
Book Your Food Tour Now 🍲🏪 How to Order Street Food in Thailand
💡 Street Food Tips: Thai street food is often displayed openly, allowing you to see the dishes being prepared. Spend some time observing the food stalls and the dishes they offer. Look for stalls that are popular among locals, as this is usually a good indication of quality and taste!
📝 Step-by-Step Guide
- Observe: Look at the food being prepared and note what appeals to you
- Approach: Walk up to the vendor with a smile
- Greet: Say "Sawasdee krub/ka" (Hello)
- Point & Order: Point to the dish and use the phrases below
- Specify Preferences: Indicate spice level or dietary needs
- Pay: When ready, pay in Thai Baht
- Enjoy! Find a seat or take away
🍖 To Order Grilled Pork on Skewers or Fried Meat/Fish Balls
(Ao nueng/song/sarm mai krub/ka) = I'd like one/two/three skewers, please
(Ao nueng/song/sarm chin krub/ka) = I'd like one/two/three pieces, please
(Ao kao neaw duay krub/ka) = Can I have sticky rice, too?
(Ao kao neaw nueng toong duay krub/ka) = Can I have one bag of sticky rice, too?
🔢 Essential Numbers
📚 Vocabulary
- ข้าวเหนียว (Kao Neaw) = Sticky rice
- ด้วย (Duay) = Also, too
- ถุง (Toong) = Bag
- ชิ้น (Chin) = Piece
- ไม้ (Mai) = Stick, skewer
🍜 To Order Noodles
Types of Noodles
🍲 Example Noodle Orders
(Pom kor sen yai moo nueng tee/charm) = May I have one set/bowl of wide rice noodle with pork? Note: "Pom" = I (for men)
(Dichun kor sen lek gai nueng tee/charm) = May I have one set/bowl of small rice noodle with chicken? Note: "Dichun" = I (for women)
(Pom kor sen mee luke chin pla nueng tee/charm) = May I have one set/bowl of thin rice noodle with fish balls?
(Dichun kor ba mee moo dang nueng tee/charm) = May I have one set/bowl of red barbecue pork egg noodle?
✅ Good to Know: The noodles can be served in soup (ก้วยเตี๋ยวน้ำ - Guay teow narm) or dry (ก้วยเตี๋ยวแห้ง - Guay teow hang)
🥘 Popular Noodle Dishes
(Pom kor Pud Thai sai Goong) = May I have fried noodles with shrimps?
(Dichun kor Pud Si Iew Moo) = May I have fried wide rice noodle with Chinese broccoli and pork? Note: "Pud" in Thai means to fry
🥩 Meat & Protein Options
🍚 Some Rice Dishes to Order
"ข้าว" (Kao) = Rice
Popular Rice Dishes
(Kao Pud Gaprao Moo sai Kai) = Rice with stir-fried pork with holy basil and chilies, plus fried egg on top
(Kao Pud Poo) = Fried rice with crab
(Pud Prik Gang Moo/Gai) = Pork/chicken stir-fried in red curry paste with holy basil
(Kao Moo Dang) = Red barbecue pork on rice
(Kao Mun Gai) = Chicken meat on rice with spicy ginger sauce (Hainanese chicken rice)
🍃 Condiments & Sides
(Narm Pla Prik) = Chilies in fish sauce (common condiment with rice dishes)
(Som Tum) = Spicy papaya salad 🌶️ Don't forget to say "Mai Ped" for "not spicy"!
🤔 Asking for Recommendations
อะไรอร่อยที่สุด?
(Arai aroy tee soot?)
= What is most delicious here?
- อะไร (Arai) = What
- อร่อย (Aroy) = Delicious
- ที่สุด (Tee soot) = Most
🍍 To Order Some Thai Fruits
Common Thai Fruits
How to Order Fruits
(Ao [sub-pa-rot] nueng/song chin krub/ka) = I'd like one/two pieces of (pineapple)
(Ao [ma-muang] nueng/song luke krub/ka) = I'd like one/two whole (mangoes)
📝 Note: The word "ชิ้น" (chin) is used when asking for a piece of fruit or food, and "ลูก" (luke) for any whole, round food item such as a whole mango or a steamed bun/dim sum.
🌆 Discover Bangkok's Best Street Food!
Join our expert-led street food tour and taste 15+ authentic dishes
Explore Street Food Tours 🏮🍽️ Thai Restaurant Phrases
👋 Greetings
(Sawasdee krub/ka) = Hello / Goodbye
🙏 Thank You & Please
(Khob khun krub/ka) = Thank you
(Ga-ru-na krub/ka) = Please
❓ Menu Questions
(Nee arai krub/ka?) = What is this?
(Aroi mai krub/ka?) = Is it delicious?
(Pood passaa ang-grit dai mai krub/ka?) = Do you speak English?
(Chorp krub/ka) = I like it
(Mai ao krub/ka) = I don't want it
📝 Ordering Food
(Khor sung ahan krub/ka) = Can I order, please?
(Nee ahan arai krub/ka?) = What is this dish?
(Ao krub/ka) = Yes, please
(Mai ao krub/ka) = No, thank you
🥤 How to Order Drinks
Ordering drinks in Thailand is just as important as ordering food, especially in the hot climate. You can use the word "เอา" (Ao) at the front of your Thai sentences before ordering.
☕ Hot & Cold Beverages
(Ao cha yen krub/ka) = I want iced tea (with milk and sugar), please
(Ao cha thai yen krub/ka) = I want Thai iced tea, please
(Ao cha dam ron krub/ka) = I want hot black tea, please (not mixed with milk and sugar)
(Ao kafae dam ron krub/ka) = I want black hot coffee, please
🍹 Other Drinks
(Ao nam plao krub/ka) = Drinking water, please
(Ao nam ma plao krub/ka) = Coconut water, please 🥥
(Ao nam ad lom krub/ka) = Soda drink, please
🚫 Special Requests
ไม่ใส่น้ำตาล (Mai sai nam tan) = No sugar
ไม่ใส่น้ำแข็ง (Mai sai nam kaeng) = No ice
📱 How to Order Food Online in Thailand
There are several popular food delivery platforms in Thailand that make ordering food easy and convenient:
🟢 GrabFood
Most popular choice
🍕 Foodpanda
Wide selection
🦸 Robinhood
Local favorite
🏃 Lalamove
Fast delivery
📞 Lineman
Popular in Bangkok
📲 Step-by-Step Guide
- Download the App: Visit Google Play Store or App Store and download your preferred food delivery app
- Sign Up: Create an account with your name, phone number, and email address
- Verify: Complete phone verification through OTP (One-Time Password)
- Set Location: Allow location access so the app can show nearby restaurants
- Browse Menus: Explore restaurants and their menus (all available in English)
- Add to Cart: Select items, specify quantity, and add special instructions if needed
- Choose Payment: Select from cash on delivery (COD), credit/debit card, or digital wallets (GrabPay, Line Pay)
- Track Order: Monitor real-time status and delivery driver location
- Receive & Enjoy: Check order accuracy and enjoy your meal!
✅ Pro Tip: Many platforms provide user reviews and ratings to help you make informed decisions. Look for highly-rated restaurants with recent positive reviews!
📖 Thai Words for Food
Here are common Thai words related to food that are used in daily life:
🍽️ General Food Terms
🍳 Cooking Methods
🥩 Proteins
🍰 Other Categories
🍛 Popular Thai Dishes
- ข้าวผัด (Kao pat) = Fried rice
- ข้าวไข่เจียวสองกรอง (Kao kai jieow song kreuang) = Pork omelet on rice
- ข้าวมันไก่ (Kao man gai) = Hainanese chicken rice
- ข้าวหน้าเป็ด (Kao na bpet) = Roast red duck on rice
- ผัดไทย (Pad Thai) = Pad Thai
- ข้าวซอย (Kao soi) = Khao Soi (Northern Thai curry noodles)
- บะหมี่หมูแดง (Ba mee moo daeng) = Egg noodle soup with red roast pork
- ก้วยเตี๋ยวผัดขี้เมา (Guay-dtieow pat kee mao) = Drunken noodles
- แกงเขียวหวาน (Gaeng kiaow wan) = Green curry
- แกงแดง (Gaeng daeng) = Red curry
- แกงมัสมั่น (Gaeng massaman) = Massaman curry
- ต้มยำ (Tom yum) = Tom yum soup
- ส้มตำ (Som tum) = Papaya salad
🌶️ How to Say Spicy or No Spicy in Thai
To indicate how spicy you want your dish, you can use the word เผ็ด (Ped), which means "spicy".
Example Usage
(Gaeng khiao wan ped noi) = Green curry with a little spicy
🌶️ Important Reminder: Thai food can be VERY spicy for those not accustomed to it! Don't hesitate to request milder flavors by saying "ไม่เผ็ด" (Mai ped) or ask for chili sauce on the side.
📦 How to Say Take Away in Thai
When you stop to buy at a street food stall, the vendor might ask if it's for take away or to eat at the shop:
📚 Vocabulary
- ทาน (Tarn) = Polite word for eat
- กิน (Gin) = Eat (casual)
- ที่นี่ (Tee nee) = Here
- กล่อง (Glong) = Box
- ถุง (Toong) = Bag
- กลับ (Glub) = To return
- บ้าน (Baan) = Home
😋 Expression Thai Words After Eating
If you want to express your appreciation and satisfaction for the food, you can use these expression words:
Complimenting the Food
Complimenting Freshness
Complimenting Aroma
Expressing Gratitude
(Khob khun sam rap ahan aroi aroi krab/ka) = Thank you very much for the delicious food This is a polite and formal way to show gratitude
💵 How to Ask for Your Bill
(Kor Check-bin Duuai krub/ka) = Can I have the bill, please?
💡 Note: This simple phrase works no matter where you are in Thailand. The staff will understand that you would like to receive the check or bill to settle your payment.
💰 Tipping in Thailand
There is not much of a tipping culture in Thailand. Here's what you should know:
- Local Thai Restaurants: Tips are not expected
- Casual Dining: When change is brought back, some people leave the coins or small notes (usually 10-20 baht per person)
- Fine Dining: 10% service charge is often already included in the bill
- Street Food: No tipping expected
✅ Appreciation: However, tips would be very highly appreciated if you choose to leave some baht for good service in Thailand! It's a kind gesture that goes a long way. 🙏
A small tip is always appreciated for good service
🎉 Experience the Joy of "Sanuk"!
"Sanuk" is a Thai term that means "having fun" or "enjoyment" - and that's what Thai food is all about!
Join Our Chinatown Food Tour 🏮🎊 Final Thoughts
Remember, exploring Thai cuisine is part of the adventure when visiting Thailand. With even a little knowledge of the Thai language, it becomes incredibly helpful to communicate with local people and discover authentic flavors.
Enjoy the flavors, try new dishes, and immerse yourself in the vibrant culinary scene of this wonderful country!
Smile and embrace the Thai concept of "สนุก" (Sanuk) - having fun and enjoyment in everything you do. 😊
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