15 Best Pattaya Foods To Try in 2025
The best Pattaya food delivers a unique blend of bold spices, vibrant colors, intoxicating fragrances and flavors that run the range from sweet and salty to savory, spicy and sour. Located in the Chonburi province of Eastern Thailand, southeast of Bangkok on the Gulf of Thailand, Pattaya is a former fishing village with a current scene emanating with a vibrant nightlife and lively street food culture among its ornate temples, lush fields and beautiful beaches.
Rice, mangoes, coconuts and fresh vegetables make up the agricultural landscape of Thailand and contribute to the variety of local recipes and popular Pattaya food options. You’ll also find recipes filled with ingredient lists that include local fish, seafood and noodles.
According to Innova Market Insights, “the Thailand food and beverage market is ripe for innovation, with consumers seeking variety, novelty and excitement” — a trend that is reflected in Pattaya’s ever-evolving street food culture. Keep reading to discover the best entrées, appetizers, sides and other Pattaya street food to add to your culinary wanderlust.
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What Food is Pattaya Known For?
Pattaya is one of the best foodie cities in Thailand to discover the unique blend of sweet, savory, salty and sour flavor profiles of authentic Thai cuisine and Pattaya foods. From the well-known pad thai and the fresh fruit of mango sticky rice and som tum to the unique delicacy of fried insects, you’ll find an eclectic blend of spicy curry paste, crunchy peanut sauce, salted fish, fried noodles and grilled meats. Even if you’re not ready to book a flight, you’re bound to discover a recipe or two to prepare at home.
The 15 Best Foods in Pattaya to Eat
1. Pad Thai
One of the most popular Pattaya foods, pad thai is often referred to as the national dish of Thailand. It’s believed to have been created by Chinese immigrants with its blend of Chinese ingredients and traditional Thai sauces. A popular item at restaurants and street food stalls, it offers sweet, savory, sour and spicy flavors. It’s prepared with thin rice noodles, eggs, fish sauce, bean sprouts, tamarind juice and either chicken, shrimp or beef. Crushed peanuts are often sprinkled on top. This dish can be prepared vegetarian and gluten-free, making it a versatile Pattaya food for any occasion or dietary restrictions.
2. Tom Yum Goong
Also known as spicy shrimp soup, tom yum goong is typically prepared as a clear broth with shrimp, lemongrass, chilis, fish sauce, galangal and kaffir lime leaves. A popular variant (tom yum nam khon) includes milk or coconut milk for a creamier texture.
Chicken is generally featured in tom yum gai if you don’t prefer seafood or have shellfish allergies. Low in fat and calories, it features sweet, sour and spicy flavors complemented by fresh herbs and spices. Found in street vendor stalls and Thai restaurants around the world, this Pattaya food is often served with rice noodles, sticky rice or steamed white rice.
3. Khanom Buang
If you’re on the search for authentic Thai street foods to add to your foodie bucket list, khanom buang needs to be at the top of the page. Also known as a Thai crêpe, this delicious Pattaya food resembles a taco and delivers a combination of crispy, soft, sweet and savory textures and flavors.
The shell is typically made from a mix of rice flour and mung bean flour. A precise preparation process turns it into a crispy pancake that gets folded into a triangle and filled with sweet or savory ingredients, including a mix of meringue and diced shrimp or coconut. Sprinkle with sesame seeds for a bit of crunch.
4. Kai Jeow
Savory and salty with a crispy texture, kai jeow (also known as a Thai omelet) is quick and easy to make. It’s prepared with eggs, green onions and fish or soy sauce. You can also use minced pork, crab or shrimp along with Thai chilis, basil and garlic for a unique flavor combination. Resembling a fluffy egg pancake, this Pattaya food is popular for breakfast. Serve kai jeow with steamed rice for a filling start to the day.
5. Moo Ping
A popular Pattaya street food, moo ping is pork marinated in garlic, black pepper, coriander roots, soy sauce and often a bit of palm sugar for sweetness. The word moo means “pork” and ping means “to grill quickly on high heat,” which is exactly how this delicious Pattaya food is prepared. It’s served on skewers that make it convenient to eat while walking around the city. You can also find it as an appetizer in Thai restaurants. Enjoy it with sticky rice and another side to create a hearty meal.
6. Fried Insects
Do your tastebuds prefer the unique side of culinary life? One of the most interesting Pattaya Thai food selections you might encounter comes in the form of crispy, crunchy and salty silkworms, crickets and grasshoppers. Yes, fried insects are a popular Pattaya food that may make you cringe or cave in to the chance to try such an exotic item. These edible insects are seasoned with chili powder and salt and then fried until crispy. A popular street food vendor item, they’re usually fried in a wok, but they can also be sautéed or wrapped up in banana leaves. Eat as a snack with a glass of beer.
7. Pork Satay
The sizzle of satay can be heard in street vendor stalls around the city. With origins in Indonesia, pork satay is made with pork, chicken, beef, tofu or fish. It’s marinated in a mix of aromatic ingredients like coconut milk, curry powder, galangal, lemon juice, pepper and grated coconut. Next, the skewers are grilled on charcoal. You can find this Pattaya food on Thai restaurant menus as an appetizer served with peanut dipping sauce. Thai pickles and jasmine or sticky rice also make excellent accompaniments.
8. Tod Mun Pla
What Pattaya Thai food features spicy flavors, a chewy texture and can function as an appetizer, a street food or a whole meal? That would be tod mun pla or Thai fish cakes. A mixture of fish, red curry paste, eggs, coriander, rice flour and fish sauce is formed into a patty (like a crab cake) and then pan-fried. Depending on personal preferences, various fish can be used, including tuna, cod, sea bass, catfish, mackerel and salmon. Serve this Pattaya food — that’s often eaten with your hands — with Thai fried rice or coconut rice to make a meal.
9. Khanom Krok
Khanom krok is a coconut rice pancake with a crisp outside and creamy custard on the inside. Eaten as a street food snack or for dessert, it’s made with coconut milk, rice flour and sugar. This mixture gets poured into a special pan, often similar to a takoyaki pan, with indentations that shape the individual pieces into half circles or a dome. It’s then cooked and often served plain or topped with sweet corn, spring onion or taro. Khanom krok is served in restaurants and at street vendor stalls. This Pattaya food can also be found in the frozen section of some grocery stores.
10. Gai Yang
Also known as kai ping, gai yang is a grilled barbecue chicken dish that’s available in restaurants and at street food stalls. Gai yang means “grilled chicken.” This authentic recipe originated in Laos and quickly became a popular Thai and Pattaya food. One of the most popular street food items in Thailand, it’s prepared with garlic, pepper, lemongrass and coriander. The addition of palm sugar and fish sauce creates a unique glaze on the grilled chicken. Serve this Pattaya food with papaya salad, laab or sticky rice and a spicy nam jim jaew or a sweet chili sauce for dipping.
11. Hoi Tod
Are there any Pattaya foods that can function as a fix for breakfast, seafood and on-the-go eating? Yes! Hoi tod is the answer to all of that. This authentic street food — which is also served in Thai restaurants in Pattaya and around the world — is prepared with fried oysters or mussels that are cooked in a batter of tapioca starch, tempura flour, Thai soy sauce and eggs. You can add chili peppers to add a touch of spice. Similar in appearance to an omelet or a crispy pancake, this Pattaya food is usually served over bean sprouts and accompanied by a Sriracha or a sweet chili dipping sauce.
12. Sai Oua
A popular Pattaya food, sai oua originated in Laos. This spicy sausage is made with minced or ground pork and a savory blend of ingredients that can include crushed coriander, curry paste, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, onions, dill and other herbs and spices. It’s then grilled, broiled, baked or fried. It can be sliced and placed on skewers or served in a whole spiral on a plate. Served at restaurants and street food stalls, this Pattaya food makes a terrific accompaniment to sticky rice, papaya salad, vegetables and green chili paste dipping sauce.
13. Som Tum
Som tum, also known as som tam, is a crunchy and colorful salad filled with shredded green papaya, chilis, garlic, long beans, cherry tomatoes, lime juice and roasted peanuts. It delivers a flavor profile that includes sweet, spicy and sour taste sensations. Ingredients in this Pattaya food are crushed with a wooden mortar and pestle, just enough to release the flavors but not enough to pound it entirely into a paste. It’s served at street food stalls and restaurants as a traditional side dish with options such as grilled chicken or beef, rice noodles, sticky rice or pork rinds.
14. Khao Niew Ma Muang
Widely known as mango sticky rice, khao niew ma muang is an extremely popular dessert in Thailand. This fresh, fruity, sweet and chewy treat is served with mango slices atop glutinous rice and coconut milk. Toasted sesame seeds are sometimes sprinkled on top. Served at Pattaya street food stalls and Asian restaurants around the world, it can be served warm or cold and makes a refreshing treat after a meal of bold and spicy Pattaya foods.
15. Pla Pao
Are you looking for Pattaya foods with an Insta-worthy outlook? Pla pao is bound to be the tastiest photo op on this list. A whole grilled fish — such as tilapia, sea bass, whiting or mackerel — is stuffed with a fragrant mixture of lemongrass and kaffir lime leaves and then covered in salt. It’s charcoal-grilled and the salt creates a barrier to lock in moisture, resulting in a tender, flaky fish. Typically, it’s served with noodles or jasmine rice and a dipping sauce (like a garlic chili sauce) on the side. This Pattaya food is served in Thai restaurants around the world and is also a popular street food option in Thailand.
Learn to Cook Pattaya Foods
Are you interested in learning how to cook your favorite Thai restaurant dishes? Whether it’s classic pad thai, curry-centric Thai fish cakes or sweet and chewy mango sticky rice, you can join cooking classes near you to discover tips and techniques needed to create these authentic Thai dishes. You’ll work with a gourmet chef to prep, grill, bake, serve and sample a variety of recipes.
Do you enjoy the comfort and convenience of preparing Pattaya foods in your home kitchen? Check out online cooking classes to connect with gourmet chefs, all you need is a mobile device and internet service. And if you happen to be in Pattaya or traveling there, you can also join cooking classes in Pattaya for an in-person experience, where you’ll learn directly from local chefs and immerse yourself in the city's vibrant food scene.
Have you found the perfect Pattaya food to curb your cravings for traditional Thai cuisine? Whether headed to Pattaya, preparing recipes at home or visiting your favorite Thai restaurants, this list was designed to showcase authentic Thai recipes and Pattaya food items.
For even more ways to explore your favorite foods, check out other experiences happening on Cozymeal.
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