foodpanda reveals most popular dishes from 8 international cuisines amongst Thai people
Skip the kitchen stress this holiday season and order an international feast right on your foodpanda app
We have several reasons to be proud Bangkokians, but right at the top of the list is the fact that we live in one of the hottest culinary cities in the world. From Michelin-starred kitchens to auntie and uncle-run street food stalls that are tiny but mighty, you can find pretty much any cuisine right here within the city.
But what are the most popular dishes amongst the city’s residents? As part of their latest “Taste of the World” campaign, foodpanda revealed the most popular dishes across eight different countries’ national cuisines, according to their customers’ ordering trends. Read on to see if yours snagged the honor (along with suggestions for other beloved dishes within that cuisine that you might want to try):
Takoyaki (Japanese)
Photo: foodpanda
Crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside, the beloved fried octopus balls are the kind of snack that keeps you reaching for “just one more.” Alongside takoyaki, another can’t-miss Japanese appetizer is yakitori—combined, the two make the perfect starters for any Japanese meal, whether that’s classic sushi, or a warm udon bowl for those cold, rainy evenings. Speaking of sushi, in addition to venues that fly their seafood over from Japan to make fresh sushi, there are also a number of restaurants that make delicious vegan and vegetarian sushi that will impress even the skeptics. And of course, we’d be remiss to write a Japanese cuisine round-up and not include a shout-out to the beloved ramen joints around the city.
Nem Nuong (Vietnamese)
Photo: foodpanda
It’s no small feat that amongst the several delicious dishes that make up Vietnamese cuisine, nem nuong emerged victorious as the most popular. Then again, it’s really not a surprise—after all, tender, juicy pork drenched in a flavor-packed glaze before being grilled to perfection? What more could you want? If you’re new to Vietnamese food, your orientation won’t be complete without a bowl of pho, or a stuffed banh mi. It’s also no secret that the Vietnamese are the kings of spring rolls—get nem ran if you want your rolls fried and crispy, while goi cuon are wrapped in wafer-thin rice paper (both come with dipping fish sauce).
Chikin (Korean)
Photo: Pexels / Leonardo Luz
If you’re a K-Drama nerd, chikin needs no introduction, and for those who aren’t, it’s the all-encompassing name for crispy crunchy fried chicken in a variety of flavors, and that can be enjoyed as a snack, an appetizer, or the whole meal. Our favorite way to eat chikin is with an assortment of sauces. If you like your chikin hot and spicy, order some Tteokbokki or ramyun as well for an explosion of flavor. Alternatively, balance out the heat with some less spicy dishes, like a bowl of kimbap or some bulgogi.
Chicken Butter Masala with Garlic Naan (Indian)
Photo: Pexels / Leonardo Luz
Everyone has their personal go-to Indian curry, but we bow down to the classic combination of chicken butter masala and garlic naan. For a spicier option, try your hand (or shall we say, tastebuds) with a vindaloo curry instead. Indian cuisine is also a jackpot for vegetarians — we’re particularly fond of a creamy paneer tikka masala. No meal is complete without a drink, and you can’t beat the pairing of a piping hot curry and a tall glass of cool mango lassi.
Pizza (Italian)
Photo: Unsplash / Saundarya Srinivasan
Dough, cheese, and a whole bunch of your favorite toppings—the Italians sure knew what they were doing when they invented pizza. Whether your personal favorite is a classic no-frills margherita, a controversial Hawaiian with extra pineapples, or dripping with toppings, the world is your oyster. Although we do feel it necessary to give a shout-out to a few of our other Italian favorites, namely, risotto, lasagna, tiramisu, gelato (okay, so it’s more than “a few”), and, of course, the other heavyweight of the Italian culinary world, spaghetti.
Mala Huo Guo (Chinese)
Photo: Pexels / Stijn Dijkstra
The heat in a good bowl of mala huo guo is nothing to joke about (that’s thanks to the Sichuan peppers), but there is something delightful about diving into a steaming broth that heats up your tastebuds before numbing them entirely (IYKYK). If setting your mouth on fire isn’t quite the dining experience you’re looking for, though, Chinese cuisine has tons of other options. Gather the family and share a Peking roast duck, or have a delightful Netflix night in for one with some spring rolls, a tried and true chow mein, and a side of comforting wonton soup.
Fried Rice (Thai)
Photo: Unsplash / Yosuke Ota
Not all fried rice is created equal, and the people have (rightfully) voted Thai fried rice (AKA khao-pad) as the king of fried rice. Other Thai contenders that were also in the running include the crowd favorite pad Thai, a fragrant and creamy khao soi that’s a rainy day classic, fiery tom yum goong, and fresh and spicy laab. When it comes to curries, pick your fighter: red, yellow, or green. And, of course, a Thai meal wouldn’t be complete without the dessert to end all desserts: mango sticky rice. On the drinks side, there’s nothing quite like a cool glass of sweet, milky Thai iced tea on a sweltering day.
Schnitzel (German)
Photo: Pexels / Lukas
And last but certainly not least, the German schnitzel rounds out the list of the country’s most beloved international dishes. Balance out the heaviness of the breaded and fried dish with a tangy potato salad side; for a different spin on the schnitzel, have it as the centerpiece in a towering schnitzel burger. German cuisine is generally a meat lover’s dream, largely thanks to their range of thick-cut sausages, including the ones that make up the curry powder-smothered currywurst (best enjoyed with a side of fries). One of our favorite desserts also happens to be German: warm, flaky apple strudel served with a dollop of vanilla ice cream.
That’s a pretty long list, and the good news is that all of those dishes are available to order on foodpanda, along with a plethora of other cuisines that we didn’t even dive into (we’re talking Greek, Lebanese, Spanish—just to name a few).
And with the festive season coming up, we can’t think of a better reason to take advantage of foodpanda’s “Taste of The World” offers! From now until the end of January 2024, foodpanda is offering up to 60% discounts at some of their most popular restaurants, including Taco Bell, Krispy Kreme, and GUGU Chicken. So hang up your apron, sit back on your couch, and let foodpanda fill your table with delectable dishes from all around the world.
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