Ordering street food in Thailand is one of the most rewarding culinary experiences you can have.

Many foreigners rely on pointing and nodding to get their meals.

Learning a few basic Thai phrases will completely change how you interact with local vendors.

You’ll get exactly what you want to eat every single time.

Below is a simple guide to help you navigate Thai street food carts with confidence.

Essential phrases for ordering

The most important word you need to learn for ordering food is เอา (ao).

This verb simply translates to “to want” or “to take” in English.

You construct your order by saying เอา (ao), followed by the name of the dish.

You must always finish your sentence with a polite particle.

Male speakers use ครับ (khrap) and female speakers use ค่ะ (kha).

If you want to order multiple portions, you just add the number and the word for “plate” or “bowl” at the end.

Customizing your dish

Thai food is famous for its intense flavors and heat.

If you’re traveling in Southern Thailand or the Isaan region, the baseline spice level is much higher than in Bangkok.

You’ll want to know how to adjust the heat to match your tolerance.

The word for spicy is เผ็ด (phet).

Vendors also frequently add sugar and MSG to street food dishes.

You can easily ask them to leave these out by using the word ไม่ใส่ (mai sai), which means “don’t add”.

Dining in or taking away

Street food vendors will usually ask you where you plan to eat your food.

Many carts have small plastic tables and chairs set up nearby.

If you want to sit down and eat right there, you use a very simple phrase.

If you prefer to take the food back to your hotel, you have two common options.

The most traditional way to ask for takeout is to say “return home”.

Alternatively, you can ask them to put it in a box or bag.

Paying for your food

Paying at a street cart is a very casual interaction.

You don’t need to ask for a formal bill like you would in a fancy restaurant.

When you’re ready to pay, you simply ask how much the total is.

If you’re sitting at a table and want the vendor to come collect the money, you can use a common slang phrase.

Keep in mind that street vendors rarely have change for large 1,000 baht notes.

You should always try to carry smaller 20, 50, and 100 baht notes when eating street food.

Common street food vocabulary

You’ll need to know the names of the dishes you want to order.

Here’s a list of the most popular street food items you’ll encounter in Thailand.