20 Thai Phrases for Ordering Street Food
Night market survival guide. These are the phrases you'll actually use—not the textbook ones that make you sound like a robot.
Ploy Sirikul
Talk Thai Team
Before You Order
1. “Ao ___ krub/ka” (เอา ___ ครับ/ค่ะ)
“I’ll have ___”
This is your workhorse. Point at something, say “ao [dish name] krub/ka,” and you’re done.
2. “Nee arai krub/ka?” (นี่อะไรครับ/คะ)
“What’s this?”
Point and ask. Works every time.
3. “Aroi mai?” (อร่อยไหม)
“Is it good?”
A friendly way to ask for recommendations. Vendors love this.
Every one of these phrases lives or dies on its tone — if “mai” keeps coming out wrong, start with Thai Tones Explained.
Customizing Your Order
4. “Mai sai phrik” (ไม่ใส่พริก)
“No chili”
Essential for spice-sensitive farangs.
5. “Phrik nit noi” (พริกนิดหน่อย)
“A little chili”
Warning: Thai “a little” is still pretty spicy.
6. “Phet dai” (เผ็ดได้)
“I can eat spicy”
Use this if you want them to make it like they’d make it for themselves.
7. “Mai waan” (ไม่หวาน)
“Not sweet”
Thai food (especially drinks) can be very sweet. This tones it down.
8. “Mai sai phak chii” (ไม่ใส่ผักชี)
“No cilantro”
For the cilantro-haters out there.
9. “Sai khai” (ใส่ไข่)
“Add egg”
Works for pad thai, fried rice, most stir-fries.
Quantities
10. “Nueng thi” (หนึ่งที่)
“One portion”
11. “Song thi” (สองที่)
“Two portions”
12. “Ao iik nueng” (เอาอีกหนึ่ง)
“One more, please”
When it’s so good you need another.
Drinks
13. “Nam plao” (น้ำเปล่า)
“Plain water”
14. “Nam khaeng” (น้ำแข็ง)
“Ice”
“Sai nam khaeng” = add ice. “Mai sai nam khaeng” = no ice.
15. “Cha yen” (ชาเย็น)
“Thai iced tea”
The orange stuff. Very sweet by default.
16. “Kafae yen” (กาแฟเย็น)
“Iced coffee”
Also very sweet. Say “mai waan” if you want it less sweet.
Paying
17. “Kep dtang” (เก็บตังค์)
“Check, please”
Or just “check bin” (เช็คบิน) — everyone understands.
18. “Tao rai?” (เท่าไหร่)
“How much?“
19. “Paeng mai?” (แพงไหม)
“Is it expensive?”
Useful if you’re not sure about the price before ordering.
20. “Khawp khun krub/ka” (ขอบคุณครับ/ค่ะ)
“Thank you”
Always end with this. Always.
Pro Tips
Tip 1: Learn numbers 1-100 You’ll need them for prices. Thai numbers are easy—completely logical, no weird exceptions.
Tip 2: Point confidently Even if your Thai is shaky, pointing + “ao nee krub/ka” will get you fed.
Tip 3: Smile Thais are forgiving of bad Thai if you’re friendly about it. A smile goes a long way.
Tip 4: Try everything Some of the best dishes are the ones you can’t pronounce. Point at whatever looks good, say “ao nee,” and enjoy the adventure.
Just landed? The Suvarnabhumi Airport survival guide covers everything between the plane and your first plate. And once ordering feels automatic, pick up the slang Thais actually use.
