Chefs reveal the best and worst things to order at a Thai restaurant

Sophia MitrokostasJan 23, 2021, 20:53 IST

It can be difficult to choose what to order off of a Thai menu.Brian Yarvin/Shutterstock

Insider talked to chefs to find out the best and worst foods to order at Thai restaurants.
Dishes like pad thai and glass-noodle salad are delicious Thai staples.
They don't recommend common appetizers like dumplings or fried Thai rolls.

Authentic Thai cuisine is packed with flavor, but successfully navigating a restaurant menu can take some practice.

Insider asked professional chefs for their take on the best and worst Thai dishes to order at restaurants and for delivery.

Read on for the six foods they recommend, and the five they don't.

Mee krob is a hidden gem on Thai-food menus.

Mee krob used to be a very common dish in Thai restaurants. khlungcenter/Shuttershock

If you order glass-noodle salad as takeout, ask for the sauce on the side. wolfmaster13/Shuttershock

Pad thai is usually served with peanuts, eggs, and a protein of choice. Brian Yarvin/Shutterstock

Thai basil eggplant is packed with vegetables. FenlioQ/Shuttershock

Esan sausages are salty, sweet, and spicy. Orca_Hamoo/Shuttershock

Tom yum usually includes seafood. Waranon/Shuttershock

Crispy fish usually comes with the head and tail intact. Ong.thanaong/Shuttershock

Fresh Thai spring rolls are a lighter alternative. Thanya Chansombat/Shuttershock

Curry is flexible, but not entirely unique to Thai cuisine. Yentafern/Shuttershock

Dumplings are on many restaurant menus. DigiPub/Getty Images

This meal is usually on Thai menus to make money and please customers. Sean Nel/Shuttershock