Thai breakfast: What do they eat?

You might be able to try Thai food anywhere in this world due to its popularity making it easy to find. However, what is not so easy to find is the specific meal for Thai food like breakfast. Even the frequenter to Thailand might not know how the locals enjoy their breakfast. And you know when in Rome, or in this case when in Thailand do as Thais do!

We are talking about authentic Thai breakfast and as the world has changed there are more and more Thais turn to the quick to nothing breakfast. So in this article, we would like to focus only on the traditional ones.

Thai breakfast

Thais are serious about food and that is including breakfast. They usually start off the meal with a heavy dish that includes one important ingredient – rice! We have a list of typical rice breakfast menus that you should try.

1. Joke (โจ๊ก)

Thai Porridge

Joke or rice porridge is a delicious thick rice soup that enjoyed by Thai people for decades. This congee is not only tasty but it is also packed with nutrition that you need for starting your most quality day. The ingredients of this rice soup usually include jasmine rice, marinated minced pork and a soft boiled egg.  However, you can always add more toppings to the dish such as pork insides or potash preserved eggs.

2. Khaotom (ข้าวต้ม)

Boiled Rice with Fish

Similar to congee, Khaotom or boiled rice soup shares the same popularity when it comes to claiming the title of popular dish for breakfast. Khaotom is a combination of boiled rice, soup mix with the meat of your favorites which can be pork, chicken or seafood. Locals also enjoy boil rice soup in other occasions such as a late night dinner to cure a hangover.

3. Khaorad Kaeng (ข้าวราดแกง)

Khaorad Kange

Another popular dish for Thai people – Khaorad Kaeng – a Thai rice dish that serve with several foods on top of the rice. Khaorad Kang is like a fast food for Thais as this typical dish is usually prepared in advance waiting for customers to select from the available menus. You can choose your food topping up to three things and they will be served on top of rice. It is  an easy and the most affordable way for dining. Khaorad Kaeng is served throughout the day but more popular for lunchtime.

4. Khaoniew Moo Ping (ข้าวเหนียวหมูปิ้ง)

Khao Niew Moo Ping

A to-go meal that is convenient for your busy life. Khaoniew Moo Ping is one of the most all-time favorite breakfast menus for Thai people for decades. This sticky rice with the special marinated sweet source is just a perfect duo to start your day off as it is full of protein and carbohydrate that will give you an energy boost. Khaoniew Moo Ping is easy to find as well as to eat. The meal doesn’t require you to stop and eat – it is like a hamburger or sandwich that you can eat on the go!

5.Tom Luad Moo (ต้มเลือดหมู)

Tom Luad Moo

A rich in protein soup – Tom Luad Moo or a boiled pork blood soup is a popular breakfast menu among the locals especially during the cool season where the weather starts to get a bit chiller. The soup is packed with healthy ingredients but surprisingly light and warm for your stomach. Ingredients such as lettuce, fried garlic and spring onion will be added to the soup that filled with marinated minced pork and soft boiled pork blood – what can top these super combinations for a perfect breakfast?

Thai-Chinese breakfast

If you prefer pastry to start off your day, these Thai breakfasts with Chinese influence will certainly do the trick.

1.Patongo (ปาท่องโก๋)

Patongo

This Chinese doughnut is chewy and definitely not too heavy for the first meal of the day. Patongo can compliment many menus from the serious dish such as porridge or just dipping in condensed milk to increased the taste. Thais love to eat Patongo with hot coffee, you can dunk it into a cup of hot coffee or just eat it solely – it is your choice!

2. Namtaohoo (น้ำเต้าหู้)

Nam Tao Hoo

Okay, this might not be “pastry” but it is a hot healthy cup that could be enjoyed with pastry or in other words, it falls in a light breakfast category. Namtaohoo or soy milk is popular among Thai people for generations because of its mellow taste and light texture that easy to digest. In Thailand, soy milk is usually enjoyed with Patongo. You can also add topping to soy milk such as black sesame, millet, sago or even basil seeds.

3.Salapao

Salapao

Salapao or dim-sum is a great to-go meal that are not too heavy nor too light to start off your day. These combinations also come with many options. For Salapao alone has, at least, three fillings available for you to choose from; such as cream Pao, Moodaeng (red port) Pao and Moosub (mined pork) Pao.

4.Kanomkrok

Kanomkrok

This sweet tasty hot coconut pancake is a delight to serve as the first meal of the day. Thai people love to have several cup of Kanomkrok with hot drinks in the morning. This lovely hot coconut pancake is usually served in banana leave vessels, adding the aroma of the leave to the dish.