March 3, 2025, 9:21 am | Read time: 7 minutes

If you’re currently traveling in Thailand or planning a trip there in the near future, you can’t avoid the typical street markets. TRAVELBOOK author Julia Mähl reveals her favorite dishes and shows what you should definitely try at the stalls.

As dusk falls and the air cools, my hunger awakens, prompting me to head towards Thong Sala — the bustling heart of Koh Phangan. Today is Friday, and that means it’s “Walking Street.” At this magical hour, the promenade transforms into a sprawling bazaar, with narrow alleyways teeming with people, vibrant stalls, and a kaleidoscope of tantalizing aromas. The air is alive with the sizzle of grills and the lively hum of conversation.

My Favorite Spot for Food in Thailand

The high season is in full swing in Thailand, drawing scores of holidaymakers and travelers to Southeast Asia, all seeking refuge from the winter’s chill. No wonder: after all, a whopping 30 degrees, sun, beach, and good food await here. For those not tethered to the all-inclusive lifestyle, the opportunity to dine out and sample an array of dishes is a delightful prospect. Luckily, that’s exactly my thing.

This is my fourth trip to Southeast Asia and my third time in Thailand. There’s everything here: the big hotels with their overflowing buffets, the many restaurants with burgers, pizza, and the like, some of them very Western, but of course, there are also many, many small restaurants and snack bars with authentic Thai cuisine. Yet, my ultimate favorite remains the street stalls, springing up as evening falls, casting a vibrant glow over alleyways and squares as they morph into the lively night markets or the so-called “walking streets.” Here, you’ll find a smorgasbord of options: an array of food and drinks, from sweet to savory and from bite-sized morsels to hearty portions.

All-Clear: Don’t Be Afraid of Street Food at Thai Markets!

Before I dive into my Thai cuisine favorites, let me put your mind at ease. Especially if you are traveling to Southeast Asia for the first time, not only the food but also the — admittedly very unfamiliar — preparation at the street stalls can cause skepticism.

No salad, no ice cubes, nothing from open kitchens: Tips like these can not only be found online but are also frequently heard from concerned acquaintances. And, of course, a certain amount of caution is also a good idea. Nevertheless, I can say from four long journeys through Southeast Asia and especially from my experience in Thailand that nothing is eaten as hot as it is cooked. Or, in clearer words, everything is only half as bad. To forgo street food out of fear or respect is to miss a culinary highlight and a slice of the region’s authentic charm.

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My Top 10 Snacks at the Night Markets

At first glance, the array of choices at the markets might appear daunting. But once you’ve gained an overview, you’ll quickly find your favorites. Here’s a taste of my favorites, presented in no particular order.

Pad Thai or Pad See Ew

A real classic that you can get — not only — at Thai markets is the Thai noodle dish Pad Thai. Thin rice noodles are fried in a pan with bean sprouts, carrots, or pak choi. Egg, chicken, prawns, or tofu are added as desired and topped with peanuts and lime.

The little sister of Pad Thai is a little less well-known: Pad See Ew. Although the ingredients are similar, there is a decisive difference between the dishes: while Pad Thai is prepared with narrow rice noodles, Pad See Ew is made with fresh and wide rice noodles that literally soak up the sauce. This gives the dish its unmistakable silky, slippery consistency.

Grilled Skewers

Another highlight at the night markets is the grilled skewers, which you can have freshly prepared there. Whether with meat, vegetables, or tofu, simply put them together yourself and then pass them on a plate to the street vendor. You’ll have it back just a few minutes later. Pro tip: Drizzle some sweet and sour sauce on top for an extra flavor kick!

Summer Rolls

Summer rolls are a perfect snack or small starter. They often consist of finely chopped vegetables, avocado, prawns, chicken, or tofu and are wrapped in thin, almost transparent rice paper. They are often served at the night markets with two types of sauce: thick and creamy with peanuts or sweet and sour.

Fresh Fish

If you are a fan of seafood and the like, you will feel right at home here: At the many night markets, you can often find whole fish that is freshly prepared and grilled. Fishing is an important part of the culture on islands such as Koh Phangan and Co., and if you take a look out to sea at night, you will quickly spot the shining cutters that provide supplies night after night. So it goes straight from the sea to your plate — and you can taste it.

Noodle Soups

Without question, Thais are real soup lovers. Khao Soi, in which noodles and vegetables float in a coconut milk curry broth and are often served with spring onions, chili, and fresh lime, is particularly well-known. But sweet and sour tom yam soup with lots of vegetables and classic noodle soups with white rice noodles are also very popular and are offered at almost all markets.

Crispy Rice Salad

Crispy rice salad is a little rarer. Anyone who has ever watched it being prepared is sure to have been surprised. The “salad” consists of a large, deep-fried ball with crispy breadcrumbs on the outside and filled with rice on the inside. The rice is crushed and then mixed with fresh peanuts, lime, and a few vegetables, then blended and served. Depending on your preference, chili is added to give it a spicy kick.

Papaya Salad

This papaya salad is just the thing for anyone craving something fresh. It consists — how could it be otherwise — of papaya. Carrots, green beans, and tomatoes are also added. The whole thing is mixed with (coconut blossom) sugar, garlic, chili, and peanuts.

However, vegetarians and vegans should be aware of this: Depending on the region or stall, the papaya salad is also prepared with fish sauce and dried prawns.

Mango Sticky Rice

Of course, you won’t only find savory dishes at the (night) markets. So, if your sweet tooth is calling, mango sticky rice is an irresistible choice. The sticky, slightly sweetened rice is served with juicy pieces of mango and a little condensed milk and is, without question, one of my favorite dishes in Thailand.

Coconut Pancakes

There are two different versions of coconut pancakes: You can either find them in a small round shape, which resembles a hemisphere, and they are often made with coconut milk and banana.

However, the more exciting version — in my opinion — looks different: these coconut pancakes are called “khanom babin” in Thai. They have a light purple color and, in contrast to the small hemispheres, taste much more intensely of coconut. This is because they consist not only of coconut milk but also of coconut flesh. They are slightly sticky, sweet, and chunky — a real highlight for all coconut fans!

Fruit Shakes

My final piece of advice: As you wander between the market stalls, don’t miss out on savoring one of the beloved fruit shakes. Just a heads-up: the selection is vast, with a dizzying array of combination possibilities. My favorite shakes are pure passion fruit or the mango-banana combo. If you like it wilder, you can often choose ingredients such as aloe vera, lychee, coconut, mint, or Thai basil.