Thailand has a way of enchanting you before you even realize it. One moment, you are walking past street stalls, hearing motorbikes rush by, and smelling fresh coconut. The next moment, you are standing in front of a food cart, wondering what to try first.
If you’ve ever been to this country, you definitely agree that Thai street food is one of the best parts of the whole vacation. It is colorful, strangely affordable, full of flavor, and connected to everyday life in Thailand. Still, if you are trying to stay healthy while traveling, it is normal to wonder which dishes are lighter and more balanced.
Lucky for you, Thai street food is not just fried snacks or heavy meals. On the street markets, you can easily find various dishes made with fresh fruit, grilled protein, herbs, vegetables, and light sauces. In this article, we will talk about 5 healthy Thai street foods you can enjoy during your vacation.
1. Mango Sticky Rice
If you’re tired of Western desserts that often feel too familiar, be careful because sticky rice with mango may easily ruin any of your usual sweet cravings in the best possible way. Once you taste warm, soft, sticky rice soaked in sweet coconut milk and paired with ripe mango, regular packaged cakes and cookies might suddenly feel a little less exciting.
Sticky rice with mango, also called “Khao Niew Mamuang” in Thai, is one of the most popular desserts in Thailand. It is also pretty famous worldwide, as it is often the first-ever local dessert tourists tend to try. As a tourist, you should know that if you get it on the street, it will most likely be topped with extra coconut cream and toasted mung beans or sesame seeds.
Sticky rice with mango is also a great dessert to share with someone else. If you are exploring Thai dating through online apps while traveling, this is the kind of simple local treat you can suggest for a casual first meet-up. Instead of choosing a heavy dinner right away, you can walk through a night market, try mango sticky rice together, and enjoy something that feels very Thai.
2. Satay
Satay is one of the most common street foods not only in Thailand but also in all of Southeast Asia. It originated in Indonesia and consists of meat skewers, which are marinated and grilled over charcoal. They are usually served with peanut sauce and cucumber relish. You can easily find pork or vegetarian versions of satay in street markets, but you need to know that chicken satay is the most common. The Thai version is known to be marinated in curry, turmeric, garlic, coriander, and coconut milk, which is why it has a distinctive golden color and strong aroma.
Satay is considered a healthier street food because it is grilled instead of fried. Lean meat that is used for this dish is a good source of high-quality protein. The spices used for the marinade, especially garlic and turmeric, include antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, too.
While satay is generally healthy, of course, the peanut sauce is very high in calories, so it is better to enjoy it in a balanced amount.
3. Pad Thai
Pad Thai is one of the most famous Thai dishes around the world and an international symbol of Thai cuisine. It is stir-fried rice noodles with eggs, tofu, peanuts, bean sprouts, and chicken or shrimp for protein. The noodles are cooked in a sauce that combines sweet, salty, and sour flavors, fish sauce, tamarind, sugar, and lime juice.
Pad Thai is considered a healthier street food than some others. Rice noodles are gluten-free and provide carbohydrates, while chicken or shrimp and eggs contain protein and provide stable energy. Bean sprouts and garlic are a great addition of fiber.
4. Som Tam
Som Tam is a spicy papaya salad that is known to be one of the healthiest street foods in Thailand. It is prepared by combining shredded green papaya with garlic, chili, lime juice, long beans, tomatoes, fish sauce, and peanuts, and pounding them together in a mortar and pestle.
Som Tam is a great example of the essence of Thai cuisine, which is balancing salty, spicy, sour, and sweet flavors in one meal. Green papaya is full of fiber and vitamin C, and it’s easy to digest. Peanuts provide protein and healthy fats, while tomato and lime are great additions of antioxidants. It is often eaten with grilled chicken and sticky rice.
5. Tom Yum
Tom yum is a delicious and comforting traditional soup that is famous worldwide. The words “tom yum” together mean “hot and sour soup." It has an intense aroma and is very layered yet balanced in taste. Typically, it is made with shrimp, but it can also be cooked with chicken, mushrooms, or fish.
The broth is made with lemongrass, chili, lime juice, kaffir lime leaves, galangal, fish sauce, and sometimes shallots. There are two versions of the broth. One of them is clear, and the other one is a bit creamy with the addition of evaporated milk or chili paste. The dish is low in fat and high in protein if it has shrimp or chicken. The ingredients used for the flavor improve the digestion process and provide anti-inflammatory properties.
Bottom Line
Thailand, for sure, has an amazing cuisine, which is full of such distinctive tastes and flavors. Now you know that to fully enjoy local street food here, you don’t need to worry about sacrificing your diet goals, because this country offers many options that are just as tasty as they are healthy. These 5 street foods will let you have a great Thai cuisine experience while you still maintain your shape, so you should definitely not miss out on them.
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