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Food Translator

Ordering food in Thailand when you don't speak Thai can feel like pointing blindly at a menu and hoping for the best. This translator covers 15 essential Thai dishes with names in English, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean — plus the Thai script and romanized pronunciation. Hit the "Show to Waiter" button on any dish to display the Thai name in large text that any vendor can read instantly.

Each card includes the price range in Thai Baht, spice level, and a practical tip for ordering. Search across all languages — type in Cyrillic, Kanji, Hangul, or English and the right dish will surface.

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How to use Select your language, browse or search for a dish, then tap "Show to Waiter" to display the Thai name in huge text. Hand your phone to the vendor — they'll know exactly what you want.

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Showing 15 dishes

Sweet & Sour Chicken

ไก่ผัดเปรี้ยวหวาน

gai pad priao wan

80-150 THBMildstir-fry

Crispy battered chicken in tangy sweet and sour sauce with pineapple and peppers.

💡 Tip: Say 'gai pad priao wan'. Point at chicken on menu.

Pad Thai

ผัดไทย

pad thai

60-120 THB🌶️noodles

Stir-fried rice noodles with egg, shrimp/chicken, peanuts, lime.

💡 Tip: Ask 'mai sai phrik' for no chili.

Green Curry Chicken

แกงเขียวหวานไก่

gaeng khiao wan gai

100-180 THB🌶️🌶️🌶️curry

Coconut curry with green chili, basil, bamboo shoots. Served with rice.

💡 Tip: Say 'mai pet' for mild. Thai-spicy is VERY hot.

Tom Yum Prawn Soup

ต้มยำกุ้ง

tom yam goong

120-200 THB🌶️🌶️🌶️soup

Hot and sour soup with prawns, mushrooms, lemongrass, galangal.

💡 Tip: 'Nam sai' = clear broth, 'nam khon' = creamy.

Fried Rice

ข้าวผัด

khao pad

50-100 THBMildrice

Simple stir-fried rice with egg and your choice of protein.

💡 Tip: Add 'gai'=chicken, 'moo'=pork, 'goong'=shrimp. 'Kai dao'=fried egg on top.

Holy Basil Chicken

ผัดกระเพราไก่

pad krapao gai

50-80 THB🌶️🌶️🌶️stir-fry

Minced chicken with holy basil, chili, garlic. Over rice with fried egg.

💡 Tip: Say 'kai dao duay' for fried egg (essential). Thailand's #1 lunch.

Massaman Curry

แกงมัสมั่น

gaeng massaman

120-200 THB🌶️curry

Mild rich curry with beef, potatoes, peanuts. Not spicy.

💡 Tip: Mildest Thai curry. Perfect if you can't handle spice.

Green Papaya Salad

ส้มตำ

som tam

50-80 THB🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️salad

Shredded papaya with tomato, beans, peanuts, lime-chili dressing.

💡 Tip: WARNING: Nuclear spicy by default. Say 'MAI PET' firmly.

Mango Sticky Rice

ข้าวเหนียวมะม่วง

khao niao mamuang

60-100 THBMilddessert

Sweet sticky rice with ripe mango and coconut cream.

💡 Tip: Best March-June. Off-season mangos less sweet.

Pad See Ew

ผัดซีอิ๊ว

pad see ew

50-100 THBMildnoodles

Wide rice noodles stir-fried with soy sauce, egg, Chinese broccoli.

💡 Tip: The safe order if you want noodles but no spice.

Thai Iced Tea

ชาเย็น

cha yen

30-60 THBMilddrink

Sweet creamy iced tea. Bright orange. Condensed milk.

💡 Tip: 'Waan noi' = less sweet. Available everywhere.

Chicken Satay

สะเต๊ะไก่

satay gai

10-20/skewer THBMildstarter

Grilled chicken skewers with peanut sauce and cucumber relish.

💡 Tip: Usually sold in sets of 10. Great snack while walking.

Fried Spring Rolls

ปอเปี๊ยะทอด

por pia tod

40-80 THBMildstarter

Crispy rolls with glass noodles and vegetables. Sweet chili sauce.

💡 Tip: Ask 'jay' for vegetarian version.

Thai Omelette on Rice

ไข่เจียวราดข้าว

kai jiao rad khao

30-50 THBMildrice

Fluffy crispy-edge omelette over steamed rice. Cheapest hot meal.

💡 Tip: Ultimate budget meal. Add 'moo sab' for minced pork.

Red Curry

แกงเผ็ด

gaeng phed

100-180 THB🌶️🌶️curry

Coconut curry with red chili paste, bamboo shoots, Thai basil.

💡 Tip: Spicier than massaman, milder than green curry. Good middle ground.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do street vendors understand English? +

Most Khao San Road vendors know basic food English — "chicken," "spicy," "no spicy." But showing the Thai script on your phone eliminates all confusion. It also signals respect, and you'll often get a friendlier interaction because of it.

What does "mai pet" mean? +

"Mai pet" (ไม่เผ็ด) means "not spicy." This is the single most useful phrase for tourists in Thailand. Thai-level spicy is dramatically hotter than what most foreigners expect. Say it clearly and firmly when ordering anything with a spice rating of 2 or above.

Are the prices on this page accurate? +

Prices are typical ranges for street food and casual restaurants near Khao San Road as of early 2026. Sit-down restaurants charge more. Side streets a few minutes' walk from Khao San are often 20-30% cheaper for the same dishes. Prices change with inflation and season.

What's the safest dish to order if I can't handle spice? +

Pad See Ew (soy sauce noodles), Fried Rice (khao pad), Thai Omelette on Rice, or Chicken Satay are all zero-spice dishes that taste great. Massaman Curry is the mildest curry option. Mango Sticky Rice and Thai Iced Tea make perfect spice-free finishers.

Can I use this translator offline? +

Yes. This site is a Progressive Web App with offline caching. Visit the page once while connected, and it will be available offline. You can also add it to your home screen for quick access at the food stall.