1. Choose the protein
Many dishes are a base plus your choice of pork, chicken, beef, shrimp, or mixed seafood, and the price changes with the protein. Menus often list the base dish once with several prices beside it.
🇹🇭 Country menu guide
How to read a Thai menu and order street food in Thailand
Thai street stalls and local restaurants often post menus only in Thai script. Most dishes follow a simple pattern: pick the dish, pick the protein, and set the spice level. Learn those three choices and the words for extra charges.
How ordering works in Thailand
2. Set the spice level
Thai “normal” can be very hot. Ask for mai phet (not spicy) or phet noi (a little spicy). Tables usually have a condiment set — fish sauce, chili vinegar, sugar, and chili flakes — to adjust it yourself.
3. Special means bigger
พิเศษ (phiset, “special”) means a larger portion or extra toppings for a little more money — not a chef’s special.
4. “++” and paying
A price followed by ++ means service charge and VAT are added on top. Street stalls usually take cash; at sit-down restaurants say “check bin” for the bill. Tipping is not required, though leaving small change is common.
Words you will see on a Thai menu
| On the menu | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ราคา | raakhaa | Price |
| หมู / ไก่ / เนื้อ / กุ้ง | mu / kai / nuea / kung | Pork / chicken / beef / shrimp |
| ทะเล | thale | Mixed seafood |
| เผ็ด | phet | Spicy |
| ไม่เผ็ด | mai phet | Not spicy |
| เผ็ดน้อย | phet noi | A little spicy |
| พิเศษ | phiset | Large portion or extra toppings |
| ธรรมดา | thammada | Regular size |
| ข้าวสวย | khao suai | Steamed rice |
| ไข่ดาว | khai dao | Fried egg (popular add-on) |
| ++ | plus plus | Service charge and VAT added |
| เจ | je | Strict plant-based food (look for yellow flags) |
Dishes you will often see
ผัดไทย
phat thai
Stir-fried rice noodles with egg, tofu, bean sprouts, and peanuts
ต้มยำกุ้ง
tom yam kung
Hot and sour shrimp soup with lemongrass and lime
ผัดกะเพรา
phat kaphrao
Stir-fried holy basil with minced meat, usually with rice and fried egg
แกงเขียวหวาน
kaeng khiao wan
Green curry with coconut milk
มัสมั่น
matsaman
Mild, rich curry with potatoes and peanuts
ส้มตำ
som tam
Spicy green papaya salad, often with peanuts and dried shrimp
ข้าวผัด
khao phat
Fried rice with egg and your choice of protein
ข้าวมันไก่
khao man kai
Poached chicken over rice cooked in chicken fat, with soy-ginger sauce
ก๋วยเตี๋ยว
kuai tiao
Noodle soup, often with pork, fish balls, and peanuts in the condiments
ข้าวเหนียวมะม่วง
khao niao mamuang
Mango with sweet coconut sticky rice
Phrases to show restaurant staff
Show these on your screen. The written Thai is more reliable than pronunciation.
เอาอันนี้ครับ/ค่ะ
Ao an ni khrap/kha.
This one, please.
เอาอันนี้สองที่ครับ/ค่ะ
Ao an ni song thi khrap/kha.
Two of these, please.
ไม่เผ็ดครับ/ค่ะ
Mai phet khrap/kha.
Not spicy, please.
เผ็ดน้อยครับ/ค่ะ
Phet noi khrap/kha.
Just a little spicy, please.
จ่ายบัตรได้ไหมครับ/คะ
Chai bat dai mai khrap/kha?
Can I pay by card?
เช็คบิลครับ/ค่ะ
Chek bin khrap/kha.
The bill, please.
Common questions
How do I ask for food that is not spicy in Thailand?
Say “mai phet” (ไม่เผ็ด) for not spicy, or “phet noi” (เผ็ดน้อย) for a little spicy. Showing the Thai text to the cook is more reliable than pronunciation alone.
What does ++ mean on a Thai menu?
It means service charge and VAT will be added to the listed price, which is common in hotels and sit-down restaurants.
Should I tip in Thailand?
Tipping is not required. Leaving small change at sit-down restaurants is common, but if a service charge is already on the bill, no extra tip is expected.