There’s no shortage of delicious street food picks in Thailand so make sure to taste the local flavour.

Street food isn’t exactly a staple in Canadian cuisine. Partly due to strict food laws, and partly because most people don’t want to eat on the street in the middle of winter, you don’t see food stalls or trucks around too many Canadian cities except for the odd hot-dog stand here or there. It’s this lack of options that probably influences the perspective that street food isn’t that tasty or at the very least shouldn’t necessarily be sought out. But on a recent trip to Thailand, street food made up some of the most memorable food moments on the trip.

Here’s what you should seek out.

Sugar rush

Image Courtesy of the Tourism Authority of Thailand

Next level pad thai

Image by Maya Visnyei

Pad Thai is probably the dish that the country is most famous for and it’s easy to understand why once you have it. While most Thai restaurants will offer it, make sure to get it at a stall for an unbelievable (and crazy affordable) take on the dish. It’s often cooked over charcoal and takes only a couple of minutes to whip up, but it’s one of the most delicious meals you’ll have. For the top-rated spot in the county head to Thipsamai Pad Thai. https://thipsamai.com/

Time for fried chicken

Image Courtesy of the Tourism Authority of Thailand

Fried chicken might not sounds like a Thai delicacy, but if you had also tried it from a street cart you might beg to differ. Our guide led us to the cart—which tends to be around the flower market most days—and ordered up some fried chicken which came with a side of delicious spicy sauce. It was the perfect low maintenance lunch before heading across the street to Floral Café for some coconut ice cream with sweet corn garnish—a juxtaposition of high and low if there ever was one.

Royal Thai dessert

Image by Maya Visnyei

At the entrance to the Chiang Rai night bazaar you need to stop for a bowl of this interesting and one-of-a-kind dessert—if you can stand to wait in line. The dessert is called Bua Loy and the woman who owns the stall is called Pa Ouan who used to serve the royal family before opening her now-famous food stall. Enjoy this sweetened coconut milk dessert with rice balls that are a colourful treat.

Drink up

Image by Maya Visnyei

Don’t forget to taste Thai milk tea. We got our taste on another side-of-the-road spot when we stopped for a refreshment. The drink is made from black tea, condensed milk and ice, which gives it an orange colour. It’s perfect for hot days when you want a refreshing caffeine fix and is found most places—though I loved out roadside stop to enjoy the beverage by the mountains.