How to Order Street Food in Thailand: A Complete Guide (2026)

Let's get this out of the way: you do not need to speak Thai to eat street food in Thailand. Millions of travelers order food every day using nothing but pointing, smiling, and holding up fingers. It works.

But here is the thing -- learning even a handful of Thai phrases transforms the experience. The vendor's face lights up. You get exactly what you want. The spice level is right. And sometimes, you get a bigger portion or a little extra because you made the effort.

This guide walks you through the entire process: how to approach a stall, how to order, how to customize your food, how to pay, and the cultural basics that will make you a welcome customer instead of just another confused tourist.

By the end, you will have 20+ Thai phrases memorized and the confidence to walk up to any street stall in the country.

The Pointing-and-Gesturing System

Before we get into Thai phrases, let's acknowledge reality: pointing works. Here is the basic system that every traveler uses.

The Universal Ordering Method

Walk up to a stall. Look at what is displayed or being cooked.
Point at what you want. If there are items on display (grilled meats, pre-made curries, displayed ingredients), just point.
Hold up fingers for how many you want. One finger = one plate/portion. Two fingers = two.
Nod and smile. The vendor will confirm your order, often by repeating it back in Thai or holding up the same number of fingers.
Wait. Your food will be prepared.
Pay. The vendor will tell you the price, usually by showing you numbers on a calculator, writing it down, or holding up fingers.

That is genuinely it. You can eat your way across Thailand using nothing but this system. But let's make it better.

25 Essential Ordering Phrases

These phrases cover every situation you will encounter at a street food stall. They are organized by the order you will use them in a typical transaction.

Getting Started

| English | Thai Script | Pronunciation | When to Use | |---------|-------------|---------------|-------------| | Hello | สวัสดีครับ/ค่ะ | sa-wat-dee krap/ka | When approaching the stall | | This one | อันนี้ | an nee | Pointing at a dish or ingredient | | That one | อันนั้น | an nan | Pointing at something further away | | What is this? | อันนี้คืออะไร | an nee keu arai | Asking about an unfamiliar dish | | What do you recommend? | แนะนำอะไรดี | nae nam arai dee | Asking the vendor's favorite |

Quantities

| English | Thai Script | Pronunciation | When to Use | |---------|-------------|---------------|-------------| | One plate | จานนึง | jaan neung | Ordering one serving | | Two plates | สองจาน | song jaan | Ordering two servings | | One bowl | ชามนึง | chaam neung | For soup or noodle dishes | | One bag | ถุงนึง | tung neung | For drinks or takeaway | | One skewer | ไม้นึง | mai neung | For grilled meat sticks | | Five skewers | ห้าไม้ | haa mai | For a proper portion of skewers |

Customizing Your Order

| English | Thai Script | Pronunciation | When to Use | |---------|-------------|---------------|-------------| | Not spicy | ไม่เผ็ด | mai pet | You want zero heat | | A little spicy | เผ็ดนิดหน่อย | pet nit noy | Mild heat | | Medium spicy | เผ็ดปานกลาง | pet bpaan glaang | Moderate heat | | Very spicy | เผ็ดมาก | pet maak | Full Thai heat (you have been warned) | | Thai spicy | เผ็ดแบบคนไทย | pet baep kon Thai | Maximum heat (vendor will double-check) | | No sugar | ไม่ใส่น้ำตาล | mai sai nam taan | Common request for drinks/papaya salad | | Less sugar | น้ำตาลน้อย | nam taan noy | Slightly less sweet | | No MSG | ไม่ใส่ผงชูรส | mai sai pong choo rot | Skip the MSG | | No peanuts | ไม่ใส่ถั่วลิสง | mai sai tua lisong | Allergy or preference | | Extra rice | เพิ่มข้าว | perm khao | When one scoop is not enough |

Paying and Finishing

| English | Thai Script | Pronunciation | When to Use | |---------|-------------|---------------|-------------| | How much? | เท่าไหร่ | tao rai | Asking the price | | Check please / bill please | เก็บเงิน | gep ngern | At sit-down street restaurants | | Takeaway (put in bag) | ใส่ถุง | sai tung | You want it to go | | Eat here | กินที่นี่ | gin tee nee | You want to sit and eat | | Delicious! | อร่อย! | aroi! | After eating (makes the vendor's day) | | Thank you | ขอบคุณครับ/ค่ะ | kop kun krap/ka | Always |

The "Krap" and "Ka" Rule

You will notice "krap" (ครับ) and "ka" (ค่ะ) at the end of many phrases. These are polite particles:

Krap (ครับ) -- used by male speakers
Ka (ค่ะ) -- used by female speakers

Adding these to the end of any phrase makes it polite. Saying "aroi krap" or "aroi ka" after a meal is the Thai equivalent of complimenting the chef. It costs you nothing and means everything to a street food vendor.

The Complete Ordering Flow: Step by Step

Here is exactly what happens when you order from a street food stall, from approach to last bite.

Step 1: Approach and Observe (30 seconds)

Do not rush up to a stall and immediately start ordering. Take a moment to:

Look at what is available. Is there a display of pre-made dishes? A menu on the wall? Ingredients laid out for stir-frying?
Watch other customers. How are they ordering? What are they getting? This gives you a preview of the process.
Check the queue. If there is a line, join it. Do not try to order over someone else's shoulder.

Step 2: Get the Vendor's Attention

Make eye contact and say "sa-wat-dee krap/ka" (สวัสดีครับ/ค่ะ). A smile goes a long way.

If the vendor is busy cooking, wait. Do not shout, snap your fingers, or wave money. They will get to you when they are ready. Thai food culture is patient culture.

Step 3: Place Your Order

Option A: Pointing. Point at what you want and say "an nee" (อันนี้ = this one) or hold up fingers for quantity.

Option B: Naming the dish. If you know the name, say it. "Pad Thai neung jaan krap" (ผัดไทยหนึ่งจานครับ = one plate of pad Thai please) is perfectly clear.

Option C: Looking at what others are eating. Point at another customer's plate and say "ao an nan" (เอาอันนั้น = I'll have that one). Nobody will be offended. Thais do this all the time.

Step 4: Customize

This is where your phrases come in. After placing the basic order, add your customizations:

"Mai pet" (ไม่เผ็ด) -- not spicy
"Mai sai nam taan" (ไม่ใส่น้ำตาล) -- no sugar
"Sai tung" (ใส่ถุง) -- takeaway

The vendor may ask you questions in Thai. Common ones:

"Pet mai?" (เผ็ดไหม) = Spicy or not?
"Sai kai mai?" (ใส่ไข่ไหม) = Add egg?
"Gin tee nee reu sai tung?" (กินที่นี่หรือใส่ถุง) = Eat here or takeaway?
"Ao arai deuhm?" (เอาอะไรดื่ม) = What do you want to drink?

If you do not understand a question, just smile and nod or say "dai krap/ka" (ได้ครับ/ค่ะ = yes/okay). You will almost certainly end up with something delicious.

Step 5: Wait

Your food is usually ready in 2-5 minutes. Some dishes take longer (noodle soups, made-to-order stir-fries). While you wait:

Find a seat if eating at a stall with tables
Do not hover over the cook -- step back and give them space
Watch the cooking if you enjoy it (street food cooking is mesmerizing)

Step 6: Pay

Payment usually happens in one of two ways:

Pay when you receive the food. Most common at walk-up stalls. The vendor will tell you the price as they hand you the food.
Pay after you eat. More common at stalls with seating. When you are done, say "gep ngern krap/ka" (เก็บเงินครับ/ค่ะ = check please) or simply walk up to the vendor with your money.

If you do not understand the price, the vendor will usually type it into their phone or a calculator, write it on paper, or hold up fingers.

Step 7: Eat and Enjoy

Condiment station: Most stalls and noodle shops have a caddy on the table with four condiments:

| Condiment | Thai | What It Does | |-----------|------|-------------| | Fish sauce | น้ำปลา | Adds saltiness and umami | | Chili flakes | พริกป่น | Adds heat | | Sugar | น้ำตาล | Balances sourness in noodle soups | | Vinegar with chilies | พริกน้ำส้ม | Adds sour heat, especially for noodle soup |

Thais customize every dish with these condiments. Add a little, taste, add more. There is no wrong combination.

Step 8: Clean Up

At most street stalls, you leave your plate/bowl on the table and the vendor clears it. Some busy stalls have a bus bin where you drop your dishes. Look at what other customers do and follow.

Payment Etiquette

Cash Is King

The vast majority of street food stalls are cash only. A few vendors in Bangkok and Chiang Mai now accept mobile payments (PromptPay QR codes), but do not rely on it.

What to carry:

20 THB bills -- the most useful denomination for street food (many dishes cost 40-60 THB)
50 THB bills -- good for slightly larger orders
100 THB bills -- acceptable, most vendors can make change
Coins (1, 2, 5, 10 THB) -- useful for exact change

What to avoid:

500 THB bills -- many stalls cannot break these, especially early in the day
1,000 THB bills -- almost never useful at street stalls; break these at 7-Eleven or a supermarket first

Tipping at Street Stalls

Short answer: tipping is not expected at street food stalls. This is not a sit-down restaurant. You are paying for food at a fair price. The vendor does not expect or depend on tips.

However, there are a few common practices:

Leaving the coins from your change. If your meal is 45 THB and you pay with 50 THB, leaving the 5 THB coins is a nice gesture.
Rounding up. A 37 THB bill paid with 40 THB, with a "mai dtong torn" (ไม่ต้องทอน = no change needed).
Saying "aroi" (delicious). This is more valuable to most vendors than a 10 THB tip. They made the food. Your genuine compliment matters.

At sit-down street restaurants (the ones with tables and printed menus), leaving 10-20 THB or the loose change is appropriate but still not required.

Spice Levels Explained

Thai spice levels are one of the most misunderstood things about Thai food. Here is the truth.

"Thai Spicy" vs "Foreigner Spicy"

Many Thai cooks automatically reduce the spice level when they see a non-Thai customer. This is not an insult -- it is them trying to be considerate. They know that what they consider "a little spicy" can destroy an unprepared palate.

Here is the rough translation:

| What You Say | What You Get | |-------------|-------------| | Mai pet (not spicy) | Zero chili, mild sauce only | | Pet nit noy (a little spicy) | What Thais consider "barely any chili" -- still warm for many Westerners | | Pet bpaan glaang (medium) | Noticeable heat, comfortable for most spice-tolerant eaters | | Pet maak (very spicy) | Genuinely hot -- the cook takes you seriously | | Pet baep kon Thai (Thai spicy) | You will sweat. Your lips will tingle. This is real Thai heat. |

How to Build Your Spice Tolerance

Day 1-3: Order "mai pet" or "pet nit noy." Get used to the base flavors of Thai food without the distraction of a burning mouth.

Day 4-7: Move to "pet nit noy" or "pet bpaan glaang." You are acclimating.

Week 2+: Try "pet maak" on dishes you already know and love. See how the extra chili changes the flavor profile. Many dishes genuinely taste better with more heat because the chili interacts with the other ingredients.

The pro move: Order your dish at your comfort level, but also ask for a small dish of fresh chilies on the side. "Kor prik noi" (ขอพริกหน่อย = can I have some chili?). This lets you add heat gradually.

Cooling Down

If a dish is too spicy, here is what works:

Rice. Plain steamed rice absorbs and dilutes the capsaicin. Order extra rice.
Sugar. A spoonful of sugar from the condiment tray genuinely helps.
Sweetened condensed milk. Order a Thai iced tea (cha yen / ชาเย็น). The sweetness and dairy calm the burn.
Coconut milk/cream. Coconut-based curries or coconut ice cream.

What does NOT work: water. Water spreads the capsaicin around your mouth and makes it worse.

Common Street Food Stall Types

Not all stalls are the same. Each type has its own ordering process and specialties. Knowing what kind of stall you are approaching helps you order confidently.

Wok Stir-Fry Stalls (Made to Order)

What they look like: A large wok over a high-flame gas burner, with bowls of prepared ingredients (vegetables, meats, sauces) arranged around the cook.

What they serve: Pad Thai, pad see ew, pad kra pao, fried rice, pad woon sen, and other stir-fried dishes.

How to order: Tell the cook what dish you want and any customizations. These are made to order so you can specify spice level, protein choice, and additions/removals.

Price range: 40-70 THB ($1-2) per dish.

Tip: These stalls are the most flexible for customization. If you have allergies, this is where you can communicate your needs because each dish is cooked individually. Refer to our Thai Food Allergen Guide for the specific phrases.

Noodle Soup Stalls (Guay Teow / ก๋วยเตี๋ยว)

What they look like: A large pot of simmering broth, with baskets of noodles, bowls of prepared toppings (meatballs, sliced meat, bean sprouts, greens), and various broths.

What they serve: Noodle soups with different broth types (clear, tom yum, nam tok), noodle types, and protein options.

How to order: You usually need to choose three things:

Noodle type:
- Sen yai (เส้นใหญ่) = wide flat rice noodles
- Sen lek (เส้นเล็ก) = thin flat rice noodles
- Sen mee (เส้นหมี่) = thin rice vermicelli
- Ba mee (บะหมี่) = egg noodles (contains wheat/gluten)
- Woon sen (วุ้นเส้น) = glass noodles (mung bean)
Protein: Moo (หมู = pork), gai (ไก่ = chicken), neua (เนื้อ = beef), look chin (ลูกชิ้น = meatballs)
Soup style: Nam (น้ำ = with broth) or haeng (แห้ง = dry, no broth)

Price range: 40-60 THB ($1-2) per bowl.

Tip: If this feels overwhelming, just say "guay teow moo" (pork noodle soup) and let the cook choose the noodle type. You will get something delicious.

Curry Rice Stalls (Khao Gaeng / ข้าวแกง)

What they look like: Metal trays of pre-made curries and stir-fried dishes displayed behind a glass case or on a counter.

What they serve: Various curries, stir-fried vegetables, and braised meats served over rice.

How to order: Point at the curries you want. You typically choose 1-2 dishes that get spooned over a plate of rice. The vendor will scoop rice, add your chosen dishes, and hand it to you.

Price range: 35-60 THB ($1-1.75) for one curry over rice, 50-70 THB ($1.50-2) for two.

Tip: This is the easiest stall type for beginners. No Thai required. Just point. The food is already made, so you can see exactly what you are getting before you commit.

Som Tam Stalls (Papaya Salad)

What they look like: A large mortar and pestle, shredded green papaya, and rows of ingredients (dried shrimp, peanuts, tomatoes, long beans, chilies, garlic, lime).

What they serve: Various types of som tam (papaya salad), often alongside gai yang (grilled chicken), sticky rice, and larb.

How to order: Specify which type of som tam and your spice level. The vendor makes it fresh in the mortar right in front of you.

Som tam Thai (ส้มตำไทย) -- the standard version with peanuts and dried shrimp
Som tam Lao / som tam poo (ส้มตำลาว/ส้มตำปู) -- with salted crab and fermented fish (very pungent, very Thai)
Som tam Ponlamai (ส้มตำผลไม้) -- fruit version (milder, sweeter)

Price range: 40-60 THB ($1-2).

Tip: Always specify spice level. Som tam vendors will add 5-10 chilies by default. Say "pet nit noy" for a reasonable version.

Grilled Meat Stalls (Moo Ping / Gai Yang)

What they look like: A charcoal grill loaded with skewered meats, whole chickens, or sausages. The smell is unmistakable.

What they serve: Moo ping (grilled pork skewers), gai yang (grilled chicken), sai krok Isaan (Isaan sausage), look chin ping (grilled meatballs).

How to order: Hold up fingers for how many skewers you want. "Haa mai krap" (ห้าไม้ครับ = five skewers please). Most skewers are 10-20 THB each.

Gai yang is usually sold by the whole chicken or half chicken. "Krueng tua" (ครึ่งตัว = half) or "tem tua" (เต็มตัว = whole).

Price range: 10-20 THB per skewer ($0.30-0.60), 100-150 THB ($3-4.50) for a half chicken.

Tip: Moo ping and sticky rice (khao niao / ข้าวเหนียว) is one of the best cheap breakfasts in Thailand. Three skewers and a bag of sticky rice for 40-50 THB ($1-1.50).

Drink Stalls and Carts

What they look like: A cart with a blender, bags of ice, rows of fruit, or bottles of tea/coffee.

What they serve: Fresh fruit shakes, Thai iced tea/coffee, fresh coconut water, sugarcane juice.

How to order: Point at the fruit or drink you want. For Thai iced tea, just say "cha yen" (ชาเย็น). For iced coffee, "oliang" (โอเลี้ยง) or "gafae yen" (กาแฟเย็น).

Customizing sweetness: Thai drinks are SWEET by default. Like, shockingly sweet. Use these phrases:

"Mai waan" (ไม่หวาน) -- not sweet
"waan nit noy" (หวานนิดหน่อย) -- a little sweet
"waan bpok-ga-ti" (หวานปกติ) -- normal sweetness (still very sweet by Western standards)

Price range: 20-40 THB ($0.60-1.20) for most drinks.

Dessert Carts

What they look like: Glass display cases with colorful sweets, coconut-based desserts, pancakes (khanom buang), or grilled banana.

What they serve: Mango sticky rice (seasonal), Thai pancakes, coconut puddings, grilled banana, various khanom (Thai sweets).

How to order: Point and indicate quantity. Most desserts are packaged individually.

Price range: 10-60 THB ($0.30-2) per item.

Printable Phrase Card: The 15 Most Useful Food Phrases

Save this to your phone or write it on a card you carry in your pocket. These 15 phrases will get you through 95% of street food situations.

| # | English | Thai Script | Pronunciation | |---|---------|-------------|---------------| | 1 | Hello | สวัสดีครับ/ค่ะ | sa-wat-dee krap/ka | | 2 | This one | อันนี้ | an nee | | 3 | One plate please | จานนึงครับ/ค่ะ | jaan neung krap/ka | | 4 | Not spicy | ไม่เผ็ด | mai pet | | 5 | A little spicy | เผ็ดนิดหน่อย | pet nit noy | | 6 | No sugar | ไม่ใส่น้ำตาล | mai sai nam taan | | 7 | Takeaway | ใส่ถุง | sai tung | | 8 | Eat here | กินที่นี่ | gin tee nee | | 9 | How much? | เท่าไหร่ | tao rai | | 10 | Delicious! | อร่อย! | aroi! | | 11 | Thank you | ขอบคุณครับ/ค่ะ | kop kun krap/ka | | 12 | No change needed | ไม่ต้องทอน | mai dtong torn | | 13 | Can I have water? | ขอน้ำหน่อย | kor nam noy | | 14 | With egg | ใส่ไข่ | sai kai | | 15 | No peanuts | ไม่ใส่ถั่วลิสง | mai sai tua lisong |

Pronunciation tip: Thai is a tonal language, and these phonetic spellings are approximations. Even with imperfect pronunciation, most vendors will understand you from context. You are standing at a food stall asking about food -- they will figure out what you mean.

Cultural Tips for Street Food

These small things make the difference between being "just another tourist" and being a welcome customer.

Do Not Hover Over the Cook

Give the cook space to work. Stand back a couple of feet, place your order, then step aside. Do not lean over the wok watching every flip. It is uncomfortable for the cook and blocks other customers.

Do Not Rush

Thai street food is fast, but it is not fast food. The cook makes each dish individually. If there are five orders ahead of you, wait patiently. Do not ask "how long?" or tap your foot. The food will be ready when it is ready.

Smile

This is Thailand. Smiling is the national language. A smile when you approach, a smile when you order, a smile when you pay. It costs nothing and gets you everything.

Use Both Hands or Right Hand

When receiving food or giving money, use both hands or your right hand. The left hand is considered less polite in Thai culture.

Say "Krap" or "Ka"

Adding the polite particle to the end of your phrases shows respect. "Aroi krap" instead of just "aroi." "Kop kun ka" instead of just "kop kun." It is a small thing that Thai people genuinely appreciate from foreigners.

Eat at the Right Time

Street food stalls keep specific hours based on their customer base:

Breakfast stalls (6-10am): Jok (rice porridge), pa tong go (fried dough sticks), moo ping
Lunch stalls (10am-2pm): Khao gaeng (curry rice), made-to-order stir-fries
Afternoon/snack stalls (2-5pm): Grilled meats, desserts, fruit shakes
Dinner/night stalls (5pm-midnight): Full range of dishes, night markets

Some stalls are only open for a few hours. If a stall that was there at lunch is gone by dinner, that is normal. They sold everything and went home.

Bring Your Own Bag (Optional but Appreciated)

Takeaway street food involves a LOT of plastic bags. If you carry a reusable container or bag, many vendors will happily use it. Say "sai nai nee dai mai" (ใส่ในนี้ได้ไหม = can you put it in here?) while holding out your container.

Do Not Waste Food

Order what you can eat. Thai portions are already reasonable (smaller than Western portions), and wasting food is considered disrespectful in a culture where many people have experienced food scarcity. If you are still hungry after one plate, order another.

Common Questions and Answers

"Is it safe to eat street food?"

Yes. Thai people eat street food every single day. The key is choosing stalls with high turnover (food is fresh) and visible cooking (you can see what is happening). For detailed safety tips, check our Thailand Safety Tips guide.

"What if I cannot eat spicy food at all?"

Plenty of Thai dishes are not spicy: fried rice, grilled meats, noodle soup (clear broth), kai jeow (Thai omelet), mango sticky rice. Always say "mai pet" when ordering and you will be fine.

"What if I have food allergies?"

This requires more preparation. Read our complete Thai Food Allergen Guide for dish-by-dish allergen breakdowns, Thai allergy phrases, and printable allergy cards.

"Do I need to bring my own utensils?"

No. Street stalls provide disposable chopsticks and/or a fork and spoon. Thai people eat most dishes with a fork and spoon (not chopsticks), except noodle soups. The fork pushes food onto the spoon. The spoon goes in your mouth. Knives are rarely used -- food is cut to bite-size before cooking.

"What time should I eat?"

Lunch (11am-1pm) and dinner (6-8pm) have the most stalls open and the freshest food. Late night (10pm-1am) has a different set of stalls near nightlife areas. Breakfast options (6-9am) are more limited but include excellent dishes like jok and moo ping.

"Can I take photos of the food or the stall?"

Generally yes, and most vendors are pleased when you photograph their food. A quick smile and gesture toward the food with your phone, and they will usually nod. Avoid excessive photo shoots that hold up the line.

Your First Order: A Script

If you want a script for your very first street food order in Thailand, here it is. Let's say you are at a wok stir-fry stall and you want pad kra pao (basil stir-fry with rice and a fried egg).

You: "Sa-wat-dee krap." (สวัสดีครับ) -- Hello.

Vendor: (smiles, acknowledges you)

You: "Pad kra pao gai, jaan neung krap." (ผัดกะเพราไก่ จานนึงครับ) -- One plate of chicken basil stir-fry please.

Vendor: "Pet mai?" (เผ็ดไหม) -- Spicy?

You: "Pet nit noy krap." (เผ็ดนิดหน่อยครับ) -- A little spicy please.

Vendor: "Sai kai mai?" (ใส่ไข่ไหม) -- Egg?

You: "Sai krap." (ใส่ครับ) -- Yes please.

(Food is cooked in 3-4 minutes. Vendor hands you a plate of rice topped with basil chicken and a fried egg.)

You: "Tao rai krap?" (เท่าไหร่ครับ) -- How much?

Vendor: "Hok sip." (หกสิบ) -- Sixty (baht).

(You hand over a 100 THB note, receive 40 THB change.)

You eat. It is incredible.

You: "Aroi maak krap!" (อร่อยมากครับ) -- Very delicious!

Vendor: (huge smile)

You: "Kop kun krap." (ขอบคุณครับ) -- Thank you.

That is it. You just ordered street food in Thai. The next time will be even easier.

Related Guides

Ready to dive deeper into Thai food culture? These guides will help:

Thai Street Food Guide -- the 25+ must-try dishes, what they cost, and where to find them
Thai Food Allergen Guide -- dish-by-dish allergen breakdown and allergy phrases
Authentic vs Tourist Trap Restaurants -- how to find real local food at fair prices
Essential Thai Phrases for Travelers -- beyond food: phrases for transport, shopping, directions, and emergencies
Thailand Budget Breakdown -- how much everything costs including daily food budgets
Thailand First-Time Guide -- everything you need to know before your first trip

The best part about Thai street food is not just the food -- it is the human connection. A smile, a few words in Thai, and a genuine "aroi" at the end of your meal can turn a simple transaction into a real moment of connection with someone on the other side of the world. That is what travel is about.