Thai Food Ordering Guide
From reading menus to customizing spice levels. Everything you need to order Thai food with confidence.
3 Phrases That Cover 90% of Ordering
ขอ...หนึ่งที่
kǒr...nèung têe
"I'd like one..."
ไม่เผ็ด
mâi pèt
"Not spicy"
เก็บเงิน
gèp ngern
"Check please"
Key Phrases
Essential Ordering Phrases
Master these and you can order anything, anywhere.
ขอ...หนึ่งที่
kǒr...nèung têe
I'd like one... (for dishes)
Most polite way to order
เอา...
ao...
I'll have...
Casual, common at street stalls
สั่ง...ได้ไหม
sàng...dâi mái
Can I order...?
Very polite
ไม่ใส่...
mâi sài...
Without... / No...
Essential for customizing
ใส่...เพิ่ม
sài...pêrm
Add extra...
For more of something
แยกมา
yâek maa
On the side
Sauce or ingredients separate
Spice Levels
Thai "not spicy" might still be spicy to you. Start low and work up.
🌶️ -
ไม่เผ็ด
mâi pèt
Not spicy
Zero heat
🌶️🌶️
เผ็ดน้อย
pèt nói
A little spicy
Mild heat
🌶️🌶️🌶️
เผ็ดนิดหน่อย
pèt nít-nòi
Just a tiny bit spicy
Very mild
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
เผ็ดปกติ
pèt bpà-gà-dtì
Normal spicy
Thai normal = foreigners hot
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
เผ็ดมาก
pèt mâak
Very spicy
Serious heat
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
เผ็ดแบบคนไทย
pèt bàep kon tai
Thai-spicy
Use with caution
Warning: "Thai spicy" is no joke. Many foreigners order this expecting adventure and regret it immediately. Start with "a little spicy" and see how you handle it.
Special Diets
Dietary Restrictions
Communicate allergies and preferences clearly. These phrases can prevent serious problems.
กินเจ
gin jay
Vegan (Buddhist style)
No meat, garlic, or onion
มังสวิรัติ
mang-sà-wí-rát
Vegetarian
No meat but may include egg/dairy
ไม่กินเนื้อสัตว์
mâi gin néua sàt
I don't eat meat
Clear and direct
แพ้...
páe...
Allergic to...
Critical for allergies
แพ้ถั่ว
páe tùa
Allergic to peanuts
Common concern
แพ้อาหารทะเล
páe aa-hǎan tá-lay
Allergic to seafood
Covers fish, shellfish
ไม่ใส่ผงชูรส
mâi sài pǒng-choo-rót
No MSG
Common request
ไม่ใส่น้ำตาล
mâi sài náam-dtaan
No sugar
Thai food often sweetened
ไม่ใส่น้ำปลา
mâi sài náam-bplaa
No fish sauce
For strict vegetarians
Tips for Dietary Restrictions
- Vegetarian travelers: Look for yellow "เจ" (jay) flags at restaurants during Buddhist festivals. These places serve strictly vegan food.
- Fish sauce is everywhere: Even "vegetable" dishes often contain fish sauce. Specify "ไม่ใส่น้ำปลา" (mâi sài náam-bplaa) if you need to avoid it.
- Peanut allergies: Thai food uses peanuts frequently. Ask "มีถั่วไหม" (mee tùa mái) - "Does this have peanuts?"
- Write it down: For serious allergies, have your restriction written in Thai to show restaurant staff.
Know the Difference
Street Food vs. Restaurants
Different settings, different etiquette. Both delicious.
Street Food Stalls
Ordering Point at what you want. "เอาอันนี้" (ao an-née) - "I'll have this one" works perfectly.
Paying Pay when you receive your food. Cash only. Small bills preferred.
Seating Sit anywhere open. Share tables with strangers. Totally normal.
Customization Limited options. What you see is what you get, but spice level requests usually work.
Tipping Not expected. Round up if you want, but not required.
Sit-Down Restaurants
Ordering Wait for a menu. Use "ขอ..." (kǒr...) for polite ordering. Waiter will write it down.
Paying Pay at the end. Say "เก็บเงิน" (gèp ngern). Cards accepted at nicer places.
Seating Wait to be seated at upscale places. Casual restaurants: seat yourself.
Customization More flexibility. Substitutions and modifications are usually possible.
Tipping 10% at upscale restaurants. Leave coins/small change at casual spots.
Bonus Phrases
Useful Restaurant Phrases
Beyond ordering: questions, compliments, and practical phrases.
เมนูภาษาอังกฤษมีไหม
may-noo paa-sǎa ang-grìt mee mái
Do you have an English menu?
อันนี้อะไร
an-née à-rai
What is this?
แนะนำอะไร
náe-nam à-rai
What do you recommend?
รอนานไหม
ror naan mái
Will it take long?
ขอน้ำเปล่า
kǒr náam bplào
Plain water, please
ขอข้าวเพิ่ม
kǒr kâao pêrm
More rice, please
อร่อยมาก
à-ròi mâak
Very delicious!
เก็บเงิน / เช็คบิล
gèp ngern / chék bin
Check please
Cultural Note: Sharing is Standard
Thai meals are communal. Multiple dishes are ordered and placed in the center. Everyone takes a bit of each. Ordering just one dish for yourself at a restaurant with others might seem odd. When dining solo, "จานเดียว" (jaan dieow) - "single portion" - signals you're eating alone.
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