Thai Food for Beginners — Complete Guide in 2025

Thailand is famous for its unique and diverse cuisine, but for those just starting to get acquainted with Thai food, it can seem intimidating. Spicy food, unfamiliar ingredients, and language barriers — all of this can create the impression that Thai cuisine is inaccessible to beginners. But that's not true! In this article, we'll tell you where to start getting acquainted with Thai food, what dishes to try first, how to order safe dishes, and share tips for beginners.

Where to Start?

Start with Non-Spicy Dishes

The first rule for beginners — start with non-spicy dishes. Thai cuisine is not just about spiciness, but also about the balance of flavors: sweet, sour, salty, and spicy. Many dishes have a rich taste without chili peppers, and spiciness can be adjusted when ordering.

Thai cuisine is not just about spiciness, but also about the balance of flavors. Many dishes have a rich taste without chili peppers, and spiciness can be adjusted when ordering.

Learn Basic Phrases

Learning a few basic phrases in Thai will help you order safe dishes:

• "Mai phet" — not spicy
• "Phet nit noi" — a little spicy
• "Aroi" — delicious
• "Khop khun" — thank you

Safe Dishes for Beginners

Khao Man Gai (Chicken and Rice)

Khao Man Gai is one of the safest dishes for tourists just starting to get acquainted with Thai cuisine. The dish consists of steamed chicken and rice cooked in chicken broth. Served with sauce that can be spicy, but you can skip it. This dish is especially popular for breakfast and lunch.

Where to try:

• Street stalls in Bangkok
• Restaurants in Phuket
• Specialized Khao Man Gai restaurants

Tom Kha Gai (Coconut Soup)

Tom Kha Gai is a soup with chicken and coconut milk that is usually not spicy. Coconut milk softens the taste and gives the soup a creamy texture. The soup has a rich aroma of lemongrass, galangal, and kaffir lime without burning spiciness.

Features:

• Coconut milk softens the taste
• Rich aroma without spiciness
• Popular among tourists

Khao Pad (Fried Rice)

Khao Pad is fried rice with egg and meat that is usually not spicy. The dish is prepared with soy sauce and may contain minimal amounts of chili peppers, but spiciness can be adjusted when ordering.

Varieties:

• Khao Pad Kai (with chicken)
• Khao Pad Goong (with shrimp)
• Khao Pad Moo (with pork)

Pad Thai (Fried Noodles)

Pad Thai is fried rice noodles that are usually not spicy. The dish is prepared with tamarind sauce, fish sauce, and sugar, creating a balance of sour, sweet, and salty flavors. Spiciness can be added optionally using chili peppers or spicy sauce.

Massaman Curry (Mild Curry)

Massaman Curry is a mild curry with Arabic roots that is usually not spicy. The dish has a rich, sweetish taste thanks to the use of spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg, rather than chili peppers.

How to Order Safe Dishes

Phrases in Thai

• "Mai phet" — not spicy
• "Phet nit noi" — a little spicy
• "Mai sai prik" — without chili peppers
• "Aroi mai phet" — delicious but not spicy

Ordering Tips

1. Use Thai phrases — even if you don't know Thai, the phrase "mai phet" will help you order non-spicy food.

2. Gesture — you can gesture "no" or write "no spicy" on paper.

3. Ask in English — many restaurants in tourist areas understand English and can prepare dishes without spiciness.

4. Use apps — translation apps can help you explain your preferences.

5. Start small — order small portions to try the dish before ordering a large portion.

Where to Find Safe Food

Restaurants in Shopping Malls

Restaurants in shopping malls often offer dishes adapted for tourists. Here you can find non-spicy versions of Thai dishes and international cuisine.

Tourist Areas

Tourist areas, such as Khao San in Bangkok or Patong in Phuket, offer many restaurants that understand tourist preferences and can prepare dishes without spiciness.

Street Stalls

Street stalls can also prepare dishes without spiciness if you ask. Especially popular are stalls with Khao Man Gai and Pad Thai, which are usually not spicy.

Specialized Restaurants

Specialized restaurants, such as Khao Man Gai restaurants, offer dishes that are usually not spicy and safe for tourists.

Gradual Introduction to Spiciness

Start with "phet nit noi"

If you want to gradually get used to spicy food, start with the phrase "phet nit noi" (a little spicy). This will allow you to gradually get used to spiciness without burning your tongue.

Try Different Spice Levels

Gradually try dishes with different spice levels to find your ideal balance. Remember that you can always ask to make a dish less spicy, but you can't remove spiciness from an already prepared dish.

Use Rice and Drinks

Rice and drinks (especially dairy) help soften spiciness. Always order rice with spicy dishes and keep a drink handy.

Tips for Beginners

1. Start with safe dishes — try Khao Man Gai or Tom Kha — these dishes are usually not spicy and safe to start with.

2. Use the phrase "mai phet" — this phrase will help you order non-spicy food at any restaurant.

3. Don't be afraid to ask — most restaurants are ready to adapt dishes to your preferences.

4. Try desserts — Thai desserts, such as Mango Sticky Rice, are definitely not spicy and very tasty.

5. Use FoodSensAI — our AI assistant will help you find the best places for safe dishes near you, taking into account your preferences.

6. Try in different places — non-spicy dishes can differ depending on the region. In Bangkok and Phuket, you can find many options.

7. Don't be afraid to experiment — Thai cuisine is diverse, and you're sure to find dishes you'll like.

Conclusion

Thai cuisine is accessible to everyone, including beginners. Start with non-spicy dishes such as Khao Man Gai, Tom Kha, and Khao Pad, use the phrase "mai phet" when ordering, and don't be afraid to experiment. Thai cuisine is not just about spiciness, but also about the richness of flavors worth discovering. Use our recommendations as a starting point, but don't be afraid to explore on your own — the best discoveries are often made by accident! Use FoodSensAI to find the best places for safe dishes near you!