Tired of holiday leftovers? Try some of the most flavorful food in the world! You can make it yourself but I would highly suggest trying it at a restaurant first. Thai food can be complex and it can be hit or miss, especially in America.

I hope I have more legitimacy as I lived in Chiang Mai, Thailand for almost 11 months and am a bit of a foodie. My Thai friends also made me try some interesting dishes, such as fried duckbills, raw pig’s blood, and chicken feet. I must admit though that before I knew the pig’s blood was indeed pig’s blood I thought it was my favorite dish of the evening. It tasted like the first American dish I had since arriving, more like a red spaghetti sauce. Not to mention, I also subjected myself to trying fried bugs on many different occasions, so I cannot say it was entirely my Thai friends fault.

It is safe to say, I ate my way through Thailand.

With that being said, here are five of my preferred, insanely delicious, sometimes unbearably spicy, Thai dishes.

1. Khao Soi

My ultimate favorite, and this may be because I lived in Chiang Mai (northern Thailand) and it was one of their signature dishes. Even in Bangkok, it is difficult to find it as authentic or as delicious. It is a soup with a coconut milk and curry base, egg noodles, a boiled egg, typically a chicken leg, always topped with deep fried egg noodles, pickled mustard greens, chilies, shallots, and limes.

2. Som Tum (Green Papaya Salad)

This is a signature Thai dish, and one that is pretty difficult to replicate at home, so I would suggest going out for this one. It is a spicy salad made with shredded unripe green papaya (very unlike the sweet orange fruit), tomatoes, long green beans, dried shrimp (I think this makes it too fishy so I ask for it without), and an array of spices like fresh (HOT) chilies, garlic, lime juice, fish sauce, sugar, and topped with peanuts.

Side note, if they ask you for a spice level, they mean Thai spice, not American spice. If you can handle hot Buffalo wings, don’t prove your manhood with Thai spice, I’m telling you. At more authentic Thai restaurants in the states they will ask you how spicy you would like your food, from a 1 to a 5. I would suggest 3 for the spice lovers and 4 if you really trust yourself.

3. Green Curry

I was tempted to put this one at #1. This is a food I have to convince myself to not get every time I am at a Thai restaurant as to expand my palette. But seriously, it is addicting and amazing. Coming from the land of potatoes, I am sure all you Idahoans will love this one too. Green curry paste and coconut milk (usually a broth in Thailand but it can be more of a paste in America), chicken, potatoes, green beans, Thai eggplant, red chilies, kaffir lime leaves, and basil leaves and is served with rice. This dish can be super spicy, so fair warning if the restaurant asks you for a spice level.

4. Thai-Style Sukiyaki

This dish is a clear soup base with thin rice noodles, tofu, egg, bok choy, cabbage, mushrooms, a meat of your choice, and usually other vegetables, depending on the restaurant, such as tomatoes, squash, etc. The ingredient that truly makes this dish is the spicy sukiyaki sauce loaded on top. This can also be made dry, therefore not be made into a soup. I was also addicted to this dish when I was in Thailand.

5. Pad See Ew

Similar to Pad Thai, this dish is made of stir-fried noodles. This dish is made with wide flat rice noodles stir-fried with bok choy, egg, garlic, and usually chicken.

There are alterations to all of these recipes, especially when they’re made in America. They should still taste wonderful though and will provide a relief from typical leftovers. Enjoy and happy eating!

***No need to fret my fellow vegetarians and vegans; these can all be made into meat free and animal friendly delectable dishes.