Is Thai Street Food safe to eat?

Table of Contents

• Thai FDA and the Rules
• What about Cooked Thai Street Food? Is it Safe?
• Thai Street Food that is VERY safe (very unlikely to cause any problems)
• Thai Food Court is like Thai Street Food but more hygienic

Thai Street Food is one of the main attractions for visitors coming to Thailand and Street Food (อาหารข้างทาง – a han krang tang) is arguably top of the list. But how do you know if what you’re about to eat is going to sit well with your stomach? Here are some useful tips to help you stay safe and keep you away from the infamous “Bangkok Belly”.

Thai FDA and the Rules

The Thailand FDA has very strict regulations on food safety, covering all sides of the process, from farming to advertising. The problem is that most Street Food Vendors are unregulated and unlicensed, making it hard for Authorities to regulate them. Compounding this, most Street Food sellers have a very improvised life style. Additionally, Mafia style groups run the streets. All together it creates a ton of unregulated vendors, for whom regulations cannot affect.

What about Cooked Thai Street Food? Is it Safe?

Most cooked street food is safe to eat, things like Pad Thai (ผัดไทย), Meat Balls (ลูกชิ้น – luuk chin), grilled squid (ปลาหมึกย่าง – phla merk young) should all be safe to eat – why? because they are prepared by being throughly cooked making them safe to eat for most people most of the time.

Some cooked foods are still not totally safe. For example, when the vendor prepares the meats the night before or it’s been stored in unsuitable condition. Then the vendors use that meat in soups that are slightly reheated. This mean that the meat is not throughly cook enough. For example, the chick leg in Khao Soi (ข้าวซอย), if not reheated throughly, it not going to make the meat suitable for western stomachs to eat.

“Some cooked foods are still not totally safe. For example, when the vendor prepares the meats the night before or it’s been stored in unsuitable conditions… “

Thai Street Food that is VERY safe (very unlikely to cause any problems)

Fresh Fruits – Thailand has an abundance of fruits that are rarely seen in the west.

The Famous Durian (ทุเรียน) aptly nicknamed “The King of Fruits” is famously available in Thailand, most people will love it, but some people cannot stand the smell, you’ll have to figure out which one you are.

Other notable fruits that you have to try while you can include Mangosteen (มังคุด – mung kut), Coconut (มะพร้าว – ma prao), Lychees (ลิ้นจี่ – lin ji), Guava (ฝรั่ง – fa rung), and countless other fruits, just go to the fruti sellers and try some that you’ve never seen before.

Deep Fried Meatballs – Or as the locals call them “Luuk Chin” (ลูกชิ้น – luuk chin), if it’s deep fried in front of you it’s safe to eat, but don’t eat too many as they are not the healthiest option.

Pad Thai – Generally any Pad Thai dish is safe to eat as the dish is freshly prepared and the contents are not large chunks of meat, usually on eggs, or the odd prawn (if you choose), and therefore everything is cooked throughly and is safe to eat.

Pad Krapow – This is a minced meat dish, BUT be warned it’s very spicy. However, because it’s minced meats and the contents are cooked throughly also, it’s usually a safe option for those who have a spicy palette. this dish has become some what of an Expats champion dish, many people who moved to Thailand have fallen in love with and will rave about this dish, especially with a fried egg on top.

Thai Food Court is like Thai Street Food but more hygienic

To eat like local, you don’t have to stick to food cooked on the side walk. In fact, most Thai locals use food courts nearly everyday. Thai office workers often lunch at the nearest Food Court to their work place.

The benefits of the Food Court is that it’s much more hygienic. Also, you’re inside in the air conditioned buildings, there’s cutlery, seating, and usually a larger selection of Thai foods. The extra hygiene means that you can explore more freshly made foods, without having to worry about upset tummies later on.

I recommend finding food courts where ever you go and eating up there if you can whilst you’re on holiday. It’s safe, it’s local food, and it’s usually priced very completive.