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While many visitors to Thailand are content with the familiar flavors such as Pad Thai or Tom yum kung, Thai cuisine is much more than that with a diverse range of unique tastes waiting to be discovered by adventurers. Here are some shocking unique foods for those adventurous eaters who are ready to go beyond the ordinary.
Thai food is famous for its strong spices and tasty ingredients, creating a colorful mix of flavors, colors, and textures. This food experience comes from the perfect balance of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy tastes that you can see in almost every Thai dish, like the tangy Tom Yum soup, savory Pad Thai or fresh green papaya salad.
However, aside from the well-known food items, there is a whole world of other exciting foods just waiting for you to explore. From crunchy insects to exotic fruits, Thai cuisine offers adventurous eaters a chance to discover truly one-of-a-kind flavors that might surprise your senses. As we explore more of Thailand's most surprising dishes, prepare yourself for a thrilling adventure that will test your taste buds in ways you might not have imagined!
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Flavorful Thai cuisine with amazing dishes (Source: Thai Recipes -Food Network UK)
Goong Ten means “dancing shrimp” in Thai. This dish is made of freshly caught small shrimp, seasoned with lime, coriander, onion, fish sauce and chili. The distinctive spicy-sour sauce in this food makes the shrimp jump wildly out of the bowl, which is why it was called “dancing shrimp”.
The flavor is described as spicy and sour and the texture is crispy-sweet as said by the locals. Goong Ten is referred to as the most lively specialty from Northern Thailand and can often be found at local markets and seafood restaurants in cities like Chiang Mai and Pai.
A daring Thai dish of live shrimp for the brave (Source: Thaiger)
Mok Huak is a traditional dish from Isaan, the Northeastern part of Thailand. It uses growing tadpoles as the main ingredient. Eating a plate of tadpoles might not sound good to many visitors at first as they can have a strong smell even when spiced up. That’s why the tadpoles are often prepared with various vegetables, herbs and spices that help to improve the flavor, making them easier to eat.
This unique dish might be a fright to even the most adventurous eater! You can find Mok Huak at local markets and special restaurants in Isaan, where local people enjoy making this dish as one of their proud traditions.
Steamed tadpoles captures the uniqueness of Isaan local people tradition (Source: unikbaca)
“Malang Tod" or “Fried Insects” is one of Thai exotic foods you should try if you have enough guts. This dish is made of different fried insects like crickets, beetles, worms, and grasshoppers. These creatures are considered to have high nutritional value, high in protein and low in calories. The flavor is described as nutty, salty, and crunchy.
Malang Tod is a popular afternoon snack in Thailand, often enjoyed with beer or other drinks and served at street food stalls and markets in cities such as Bangkok and Ayutthaya.
Stalls selling fried insects in Thailand always attract the curiosity of tourists (Source: TasteAtlas)
Once you’ve worked up the courage to try fried insects, the next level of food daring is eating scorpions. Fried scorpions are a truly unique and daring snack found in Thailand. While they might seem frightening at first, they are surprisingly delicious and crunchy.
These creatures are carefully cleaned and prepared before being deep-fried to perfection and then served to the customers. The crispy outer layer leads to a tender, meaty inside, and many people say the flavor is quite similar to crab or shrimp.
The next level of food daring in Thailand is Scorpions (Source: IDN Time)
To ensure your safety, it is important to choose trustworthy vendors who know how to handle scorpions and remove their stingers properly. Fried scorpions are a popular kind of street food that you can often find in traditional markets or night markets in large cities such as Bangkok and Chiang Mai. When you have a taste of this dish, you’re not just eating something different but you are also taking part in an exciting aspect of the food culture that many locals enjoy as a unique part of their daily lives.
Read more: Top 10 must-try dishes from Thailand
In Southern Thailand, Kai Mod Daeng is a unique salad made from red ants and red ants’ eggs, usually served in March and April. This dish combines crispy red ants with fish sauce, fresh cilantro, scallions, and tangy lime juice. The special combination of sweet and sour flavors of this delicacy is ideal for visitors who enjoy trying new foods and discovering exciting tastes.
It is a dish that invites adventurous eaters to explore the bold and unique flavors of Thai cuisine while enjoying the crunchy texture of the ants.
Red ants egg salad is sure to satisfy adventurous eaters (Source: wongnai)
Many people love to enjoy this salad as a cool and refreshing side dish as it makes a perfect match for rice or other delicious meals. If you want to try this specialty, you should definitely visit Krabi and Phuket, as these are some of great places to enjoy its unique flavors.
This specialty features thinly sliced raw beef garnished with Thai basil and fresh beef blood. When mixed together, these ingredients create a unique and tasty meal. However, since everything is raw, it may not be good for those with sensitive stomachs. In Thai culture, Larb Leuat Neua is seen as a symbol of masculinity and strength.
Larb Leuat Neua is a popular choice for drinking sessions (Source: feastographyblog)
Trying this dish once can be a truly unforgettable memory for those seeking an authentic and adventurous culinary experience.
Toenjoy Larb Leuat Neua, you can visit local restaurants in Isaan, especially Nong Khai and Udon Thani, or try Som Tum Nua in Bangkok. Family-run restaurants and street stalls also offer an authentic experience.
Samong Moo is a unique dish from Thailand made with pig brains. There are many ways to cook this special dish, but the most common recipes are pig brain soup and grilled pig brain. This dish often surprises people with its creamy texture and rich taste, making it a favorite for those who love to try new things.
For a taste of Samong Moo, you just need to head to local markets in Bangkok or Chiang Mai, or visit Isaan restaurants in Udon Thani for an authentic experience.
Pig brain soup for Thai locals who need a little mental boost (Source: 肥龙美食资料库)
Pla Rah, or Pla Daek in some Northeastern regions of Thailand, is a fermented fish condiment popular in Isan cuisine. It is made by fermenting freshwater fish like gourami, snakehead, or catfish with salt and rice bran or roasted rice powder in a sealed container for at least six months.
Known for its strong smell and unique, savory flavor, Pla Rah might not be everyone's favorite. Yet, many Thais enjoy its taste and use it to enhance the flavor of various dishes.
Many simple and delicious Thai dishes usually contain Pla Rah (Source: lion brand)
In some rural parts of Thailand, rat meat is seen as a special treat as it provides a good source of protein. Rats are caught in rice fields and are usually cooked over an open fire. Then these grilled rats will be served with different dipping sauces. The preparation of grilled rat includes marinating them with local spices that add flavor, making them a delicacy for those who are brave enough to try.
Grilled rats is considered a delicacy in Thailand rural areas (Source: Discovering Phuket)
While you won’t find them in most urban restaurants, some street vendors and markets offer rat dishes, and you can even find stands along major highways, like Highway 32, that sell grilled rats.
In summary, while these dishes may seem shocking and extreme to some, they offer a unique and unforgettable culinary adventure. For those who are willing to step outside their comfort zone, I recommend you to hop on a Thailand tour right away to have a taste of Thailand's diverse and adventurous food scene.
Just remember, when trying these dishes, it's important to choose reputable places and to be aware of potential food safety risks.
In conclusion, Come with Asia King Travel on this culinary journey and embrace the adventure that comes with each unique bite! Our trip through Thailand’s food culture will not only satisfy your hunger but also deepen your understanding of its vibrant culture!
Read more: Sweet taste: 10 Thai desserts you must try
