Thai Restaurants in Singapore

Thai restaurants in Singapore: what to know

Thailand is a short flight from Singapore, and Thai food is a firm local favourite. Thai restaurants in Singapore range from casual cafés to smarter dining rooms. Most serve dishes from central Thailand, such as green curry and pad thai. Some also cook food from Isan, the northeast region. Isan food is known for grilled meats, sticky rice and spicy salads.

Thai dishes to order

Soups and curries

• Tom yum: a hot and sour soup with lemongrass, galangal, lime leaves and prawns. Galangal is a root related to ginger.
• Tom kha gai: a milder chicken soup made with coconut milk and galangal.
• Green curry: a coconut curry made with green chillies, Thai basil and small aubergines.
• Massaman curry: a rich, mild curry with potatoes, peanuts and warm spices.

Noodles, rice and stir-fries

• Pad thai: stir-fried rice noodles with egg, tofu, bean sprouts and crushed peanuts.
• Pad kra pao: minced meat stir-fried with holy basil and chilli, served over rice with a fried egg.
• Pandan chicken: chicken pieces wrapped in pandan leaves and fried. Pandan is a fragrant leaf with a sweet, grassy smell.

Isan dishes

• Som tam: shredded green papaya pounded with lime, chilli, fish sauce and peanuts.
• Larb: minced meat tossed with lime, herbs, chilli and toasted rice powder.
• Grilled chicken or pork: often eaten by hand with sticky rice.

Desserts and drinks

Mango sticky rice pairs sweet mango with glutinous rice and salty-sweet coconut cream. Thai milk tea, bright orange and very sweet, is a popular drink to cool the heat.

Where to eat Thai food in Singapore

Un-Yang-Kor-Dai is in the Marina Bay and CBD area. It is handy for lunch in the office district or dinner after sightseeing. Jai Thai is in Bugis and Kampong Glam. After eating there, walk to Kampong Glam & Haji Lane or browse the stalls at Bugis Street.

See Restaurants in Bugis & Kampong Glam and the Thai, Korean & Asian list for more choices.

Tips for eating Thai food in Singapore

Choosing your spice level

Thai food can be very hot. In Thai, phet means spicy and mai phet means not spicy. Most restaurants will adjust the heat if you ask. Start mild. You can always add more chilli from the small pots of condiments on the table.

Table manners

In Thailand, people usually eat rice dishes with a fork and spoon. Hold the spoon in your right hand and use the fork to push food onto it. Chopsticks are mostly used for noodle soups. Sticky rice is often rolled into a small ball with your fingers and dipped into sauces.

Other tips

• Order to share. A Thai meal works best with several dishes and plenty of rice.
• Mention allergies. Peanuts, shellfish and fish sauce are used in many dishes.
• Check for pork. Some dishes use pork. If you need halal food, look for the MUIS halal certificate. MUIS is the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore.
• Book at busy times. City-centre restaurants fill up at weekday lunch and weekend dinner.
• Plan your budget. Casual Thai meals are fairly cheap, while smarter restaurants cost more. Prices change, so check the menu first.

FAQs about Thai restaurants in Singapore

What Thai dish should I try first?

Tom yum soup, green curry and pad thai are good first choices. Add som tam if you like spicy, sour flavours.

Is Thai food very spicy?

Some dishes are, but many are mild. Ask for mai phet, meaning not spicy, or choose massaman curry or pad thai.

What is Isan food?

Isan is the northeast region of Thailand. Its food includes som tam, larb, grilled meats and sticky rice.

Can vegetarians eat well at Thai restaurants?

Yes, many dishes can be made with tofu or vegetables. Ask staff to leave out fish sauce and shrimp paste, as these are common even in vegetable dishes.

Where can I find other Southeast Asian food near Jai Thai?

Bugis and Kampong Glam has many Malay restaurants. Try Rumah Makan Minang for nasi padang, a rice meal with many dishes to choose from.