Is Thai Food Spicy?

Is Thai food spicy? It sure can be, but it depends on the dish, the chef, and the recipe! Some meals will make you sweat, while others have just the right amount of heat. Keep reading to discover the best spicy Thai dishes for spice lovers, plus milder options for a tasty family dinner!

BTW – If you’re a fan of heat, you absolutely must check out my collection of spicy Thai recipes, including the street food favorites pad kra pao and som tum Thai!

How spicy is Thai food?

Thai food can range from no spice to extremely spicy, depending on the dish and ingredients used. Common spicy ingredients include dried and fresh chili peppers. Dishes like papaya salad and tom yum are typically spicy, while classics like pad Thai are mild.

Not all Thai food is spicy, and that’s the beauty of Thai cuisine. Some dishes focus more on savory flavors, like pad see ew (fresh rice noodle stir-fry), while others can be fiery.

The many spice levels of Thai cuisine

The level of spiciness varies with each dish, and most importantly, the ingredients and the chef. The spiciness of your chosen dish also depends on which region of Thailand it comes from.

For example, in Southern Thailand and Isan, the northeast, we absolutely love our spicy food! Food in the Northern regions of Thailand like Chiang Mai is not that spicy. In tourist areas like Bangkok, chefs often tone down the spice because they believe it might be too intense for visitors.

How to boost the spice in your Thai dishes

If you’re on vacation in Thailand and love your dishes with an extra kick, just end your order with ‘phet mak mak’ for maximum heat!

Here are some more fun tips for those with a high spice tolerance who want their Thai food extra spicy:

1. Ask for extra chili: Don’t be shy – ask the chef to throw in some extra chilies! Just tell them the quantity of chilies you’d like in your dish.
2. Order spicy condiments: Spice up your meals with spicy table condiments like prik nam pla, Thai chili flakes.
3. Eat like a local: Eat where the locals are! Observe how Thai people add spice to their food and follow their lead.
4. Choose spicier dishes: Go for traditionally spicier dishes like som tum, tom yum, or larb. This is so important! I read a lot about people being disappointed that their Thai food is not spicy, while they have ordered dishes that are traditionally NOT supposed to be spicy!
5. Chat with the chef: Just let your server or chef know you’re a spice lover!

What Thai food is not spicy?

Thai food isn’t always spicy. For mild options, try pad Thai, a stir-fried noodle dish, or khao man gai, the Thai take on Hainanese chicken rice. Panang curry is another favorite – rich, creamy, and mild. Perfect for enjoying Thai flavors without the spice.

Here are some more mild dishes to try:

• 10 non spicy Thai food recipes
• Kuay teow kua gai (roasted chicken noodles)
• Khao kha moo (braised pork leg)
• Vermicelli noodles stir fry
• Moo yang (grilled pork)

Discover spicy Thai dishes for spice lovers

Here are some dishes you’ll love if you like spicy Thai flavors!

• Thai jungle curry (a spicy water-based curry without coconut milk)
• Khao pad krapow (holy basil fried rice)
• Thai red curry + Thai green curry
• Sweet Thai chili wings
• Pad kee mao
• Beef larb

Conclusion

No matter your spice tolerance, Thai food has something delicious for everyone. Enjoy the incredible balance of sweet, salty, sour, and spicy flavors that make Thai cuisine so addictive! Follow me on social media for more Thai cuisine insights! Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.