Koh Tao is one of the most visited destinations for scuba diving and snorkeling. The island is also home to world-class scuba diving schools offering affordable scuba diving certification courses. However, when you remove your scuba diving gear and head into town, the incredible local food scene is the perfect way to end your day.
The island’s culinary scene is a vibrant mix of traditional Southern Thai heat, fresh-off-the-boat seafood, and beloved national classics such as pad Thai and tom yum goong. Here are the top 15 best Thai foods in Koh Tao you must try.
1.Massaman Curry (Gaeng Matsaman)
Massaman Curry is a Thai curry with Persian and Indian influences, known for using warm spices like cinnamon and cardamom alongside coconut milk. It has a slightly sweet and subtly spicy taste and a thick, creamy texture with tender chunks.
Spice Level: Mild
Nutrition: 400–600 kcal
2.Pad Thai
Pad Thai is Thailand’s most recognized noodle dish, built around a balance of tamarind, sugar, and fish sauce rather than heavy spice. Soft noodles with a bit of crunch taste sweet, tangy, and savory.
Spice Level: Mild (can be adjusted)
Nutrition: 300–450 kcal
3.Mango Sticky Rice (Khao Niew Mamuang)
Mango Sticky Rice is a seasonal Thai dessert that pairs ripe mango with coconut-soaked sticky rice. It tastes sweet and slightly salty with a sticky, soft texture and juicy fruit.
Spice Level: No spice
Nutrition: 400–550 kcal
4.Panang Curry (Phanaeng)
Panang Curry uses less liquid to create a more concentrated and slightly sweeter flavor. It is slightly sweet with a nutty taste due to mild heat. Panang Curry is thick, creamy, and less saucy than other curries. Its key ingredients include coconut milk, panang curry paste, kaffir lime leaves, peanuts, and chicken or beef.
Spice Level: Medium
Nutrition: 450–650 kcal
5.Som Tum (Green Papaya Salad)
Som Tum is a raw green papaya salad mixed in a mortar and pestle, which gives it a sharper, more intense flavor than typical salads. It has a fresh, crunchy texture with a taste that is sour, spicy, salty, and has a hint of sweetness. Other key ingredients include lime juice, fish sauce, chilies, palm sugar, and peanuts.
Spice Level: Very High
Nutrition (approx): 120–200 kcal
6.BBQ Snapper or Barracuda
BBQ snapper or barracuda is a classic island-style dish, grilled whole over charcoal to highlight the freshness of the fish. It has a firm, flaky texture with crispy skin and tastes smoky, salty, and naturally sweet.
Spice Level: Mild
Nutrition (approx): 250–400 kcal
7.Tom Yum Goong (Spicy Shrimp Soup)
Tom Yum Goong is one of Thailand’s most iconic soups, known for its bold hot-and-sour flavor and fragrant herbs. Its texture is light broth with tender shrimp and tastes sour, spicy, and slightly salty. A fine recipe includes shrimp, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, galangal, lime juice, and chilies.
Spice Level: Hot
Nutrition (approx): 120–250 kcal
8.Pad Krapow (Basil Stir-Fry)
Pad Krapow is a staple Thai street food, cooked fast over high heat and known for its intense chili and holy basil flavor. It is a slightly dry stir-fry with juicy minced meat and tastes salty, spicy, and savory, with a strong herbal kick. Pad Krapow is made using minced pork or chicken, holy basil, garlic, chilies, soy sauce, and oyster sauce.
Spice Level: Very high
Nutrition (approx): 400–600 kcal
9.Khao Soi (Northern Thai Coconut Curry Noodles)
Khao Soi is a Northern Thai specialty, traditionally served in Chiang Mai with a rich coconut curry broth and a mix of soft and crispy noodles. Soft noodles in broth with crispy noodles on top taste creamy, savory, and slightly spicy with a hint of sweetness. Its key ingredients include egg noodles, coconut milk, curry paste, chicken or beef, and pickled mustard greens.
Spice Level: Medium
Nutrition (approx): 500–700 kcal
10.Pad See Ew (Stir-Fried Soy Sauce Noodles)
Pad See Ew is a classic Thai street food stir-fry, cooked quickly over high heat using wide rice noodles, soy sauce, egg, Chinese broccoli, chicken, or beef. Chewy, wide noodles with a slight char give a savory, slightly sweet, umami-rich taste.
Spice Level: Mild
Nutrition (approx): 400–600 kcal
11.Larb Moo (Spicy Minced Pork Salad)
Larb Moo is an Isan-style minced pork salad, tossed with lime juice, fish sauce, and toasted rice powder for a sharp, slightly gritty finish. It is minced and slightly dry with a light crunch from toasted rice and tastes sour, spicy, and savory, with a strong herbal note.
Spice Level: Very Hot
Nutrition (approx): 250–400 kcal
12.Green Curry (Gaeng Keow Wan)
Green Curry is made with a paste of fresh green chilies, which makes it spicier and more intense than most other Thai curries. This soupy curry with tender pieces tastes spicy, creamy, and slightly sweet. Its key ingredients include coconut milk, green curry paste, eggplant, basil, and chicken or beef.
Spice Level: Hot
Nutrition (approx): 400–600 kcal
13.Satay Skewers
Satay skewers are marinated meat grilled over charcoal and typically served with a rich peanut dipping sauce. Juicy with a lightly charred exterior, it has a savory, slightly sweet, and smoky taste. Satay skewers are made using chicken or pork, turmeric marinade, coconut milk, peanuts, and spices.
Spice Level: Mild
Nutrition (approx): 250–400 kcal