What is it like to eat Michelin starred street food in Thailand?

Since 2018 Thailand has a Michelin Guide. That means that the best palates in the industry, the anonymous Michelin inspectors visit Thailand’s restaurants to distribute the most coveted awards in the culinary world the Michelin stars.

Thai food is already reason enough to visit the country, from the bustling streets of Bangkok to the sunny beaches in Pattaya, and from the colorful city of Chiang Mai to the verdant Phuket, food is always fresh, made to order and incredibly well priced. 

For the third year in a row, though, chefs have been polishing their skills and unleashing their creativity to earn a star and be included on the Michelin’s Red Guide, and the biggest winners are the international visitors; food in Thailand is better than ever!

The Michelin starred restaurants today.

Today the Michelin Guide for Thailand covers Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Phang-Nga, Nonthaburi, and Samut Sakhon. But it grows every year. 

There are 29 star-winning restaurants, 4 of them got two stars, but none has achieved the most-desired three stars. Don’t think for a second this will last much. One of the worthiest reasons to visit the tropical country is its food, and it’s just a matter of time for it to be recognized on equal terms with the best in Europe.

How does a Michelin dish taste like?

Thailand is well known for its fresh produce, colorful fruits, and spicy curries. When you visit Thailand, the first thing that shocks you is the food. Visit the markets and smell the delectable aromas of grilled meat, tossed noodles in fiery woks, and spicy salads.

The secret behind Thai’s delicious food is in balance, and it’s this balance what Michelin stars back up. Sweet, sour, salty, and spice come together in almost every Thai dish, something unique to the country.

When you eat a Michelin dish you sense it before it gets to your table, can you smell the sweet shrimp already? Then you eat with your eyes, imagine the abundant mountain of oily noodles in a Pad Thai topped with golden peanuts and bean sprouts. As you taste it, you feel the heat and the sea-scented fish sauce in harmony, and you forget about everything else for a moment — that’s a Michelin dish right there; it’s Thailand’s essence in every mouthful.

There’s street food, too!

What not everyone knows is that Michelin inspectors assess only what’s on the plate, so the decor, the service, and the ambient music are afterthoughts. And here’s what happened: some of the best food in Thailand is served in street food stands, which might only have a few plastic stools on the sidewalk for you to sit on. By Michelin standards, if the food is good, then it’s worthy of a star.

This means that any street food stand or local eatery can earn a star (and a few of them have)

You must see it (taste it) with your own eyes.

Do you want to be part of Thailand’s food revolution? The time is now, the Thai culinary scene is living a golden age, and you can experience it with your own taste buds. 

Visit Thailand, not only for its beautiful weather, warm people, and deep-rooted culture, but for its authentic, awarded food — and why not? Give your thumbs up to your favorite dishes.