Non-Spicy Food in Thailand: What to Order for Tourists in Phuket

Many tourists worry about the local cuisine before traveling to Thailand. Thai food has long been famous for its spiciness, and stories about dishes that "make everything burn" can be heard from almost every traveler.

In reality, Thai cuisine is much more diverse than it seems. Not all dishes in Thailand are spicy, and most restaurants and cafes readily adapt the spice level for tourists. So even if you don't like spicy food at all, you definitely won't go hungry in Phuket.

Let's figure out which dishes to order and how to tell the chef you prefer food without chili peppers.

Is all Thai food spicy?

This is one of the most common myths about Thailand.

Yes, Thais do love spices, but far from all dishes are prepared spicy. Moreover, many popular dishes are initially mild in flavor, and hot spices are added separately upon request.

In the tourist areas of Phuket, staff are long accustomed to foreign guests and usually confirm the spice level before cooking.

If you don't like spicy food, just say:

No spicy

Mai Pet (not spicy in Thai).

In most cases, this will be enough.

Pad Thai

One of the best options for getting acquainted with Thai cuisine is Pad Thai. It's a famous fried rice noodle dish with egg, bean sprouts, peanuts, and a tamarind-based sauce. The dish has a pleasant sweet and sour taste and is usually not spicy. In Phuket, you can order Pad Thai with shrimp, chicken, seafood, or tofu.Many tourists begin their exploration of Thai cuisine with this dish.

thai non-spicy dish pad thai noodles with shrimp and chicken in phuket

Khao Pad

Another popular dish without pronounced spiciness is Khao Pad.

It's fried rice with egg and various additions. Most often, it's prepared with chicken, shrimp, pork, or seafood.

The dish resembles familiar Asian cuisine and is excellent for those who are not yet ready for gastronomic experiments.

fried rice with chicken thai non-spicy thai dishes in phuket

Thai Clear Soup (Gaeng Jued)

If you want something light and familiar to your stomach, you should pay attention to the Thai clear soup Gaeng Jued. It's made with a clear broth with vegetables, tofu, and minced pork or chicken. Unlike the famous Tom Yum, this soup does not contain hot spices and has a very mild taste. It is often ordered by children, the elderly, and those who want a break from strong Thai flavors.

thai clear soup with meatballs non-spicy thai dish

Khao Man Gai

Khao Man Gai is one of the most popular non-spicy dishes in Thailand. Tender boiled chicken is served with fragrant rice cooked in chicken broth. The dish usually also comes with a light soup and a sauce that can be added as desired. Thanks to its simple ingredients and mild taste, Khao Man Gai is enjoyed by both adults and children.

thai non-spicy dish khao man gai chicken with rice for children and adults

Khao Man Gai Tod

This is a variation of Khao Man Gai, where fried chicken in a crispy batter is used instead of boiled chicken. The rice remains just as fragrant and tender, and the combination of juicy chicken and crispy crust is especially popular with children. The dish is not spicy and is often found in both street cafes and restaurants.

fried chicken with rice non-spicy thai dish in phuket

Morning Glory

Morning Glory is stir-fried young water spinach shoots with garlic and a light sauce. Despite its simplicity, it is one of the most beloved vegetable dishes in Thailand. It is not spicy, has a pleasant fresh taste, and pairs perfectly with rice, fish, or meat. Even those who usually dislike vegetables often enjoy this dish.

morning glory fried greens non-spicy thai dish

Pad See Ew

Pad See Ew is wide rice noodles stir-fried with egg, vegetables, and meat or chicken in a sweet soy sauce. Unlike many other Thai dishes, it doesn't contain hot peppers, and the taste is mild and slightly caramel-like. This is one of the safest options for a first introduction to Thai cuisine.

pad see ew thai noodles non-spicy dish

Khao Kha Moo

Khao Kha Moo is braised pork hock, cooked in a fragrant sauce based on soy sauce and spices. The meat becomes so tender that it practically falls apart. It is served with rice, an egg, and pickled vegetables. Despite its rich taste, the dish is completely non-spicy and is very popular among locals.

khao kha moo braised pork with rice non-spicy thai dish

Bamee Giew

Bamee Giew is a soup with egg noodles and wontons, resembling small dumplings. The broth is clear and light, and the wonton filling usually consists of pork or shrimp. This is one of the most comfortable and familiar Thai dishes for Europeans, excellent for children and those who don't like spicy food.

thai soup from makashnitsa bamee non-spicy thai dish

Satay

Satay consists of small skewers. They are usually made from chicken or pork and served with a fragrant peanut sauce.This is one of the most popular dishes at Phuket night markets and is almost never spicy.

chicken skewers non-spicy thai dish in phuket

Tom Kha Gai

Many people know the famous Tom Yum soup, but not everyone has heard of Tom Kha Gai. This soup is made with coconut milk, chicken, mushrooms, lemongrass, and galangal. Unlike Tom Yum, it has a delicate creamy taste and much fewer spices. If you want to try an authentic Thai soup without the risk of a too-spicy dish, Tom Kha is an excellent choice.

soup with coconut milk and fish seafood thai non-spicy dish

Gai Pad Med Mamuang

The dish is known as Chicken Cashew Nut. Pieces of chicken are stir-fried with cashew nuts, vegetables, and a light sauce. The result is a hearty and flavorful dish without pronounced spiciness. It is often recommended to families with children.

fried chicken with cashews thai non-spicy dish

Khai Jiao

Khai Jiao is a Thai omelet, considered one of the simplest and most beloved dishes among locals. Whisked eggs are fried in a large amount of oil until a fluffy, crispy crust forms on the outside and a tender texture inside. Most often, the omelet is served with a portion of jasmine rice and a small amount of sauce. The dish does not contain hot spices, making it excellent for children and those who prefer familiar and understandable food. Despite its simple preparation, many tourists admit that the Thai omelet becomes one of their most pleasant culinary discoveries during their vacation in Thailand.

thai omelet with rice non-spicy thai dish in phuket

Suki Haeng / Suki Nam

Thai Suki is a combination of glass noodles, vegetables, egg, and meat or seafood. The Suki Nam version is served in a fragrant broth, while Suki Haeng is prepared without it. The main feature of the dish is that the spicy sauce is usually served separately, so everyone can adjust the level of spiciness themselves. Without the sauce, it is a very mild and delicious dish that even children enjoy.

Khao Tom

Khao Tom is a traditional Thai rice soup with a clear broth. It is prepared with chicken, pork, fish, or shrimp and is often served for breakfast or as a light dinner. Thanks to its simple ingredients and delicate taste, Khao Tom is considered one of the most comforting dishes for those not accustomed to spicy Thai cuisine.

Jok

Jok is a thick rice porridge, resembling an Asian version of a creamy rice soup. It is usually served with minced meat, egg, ginger, and green onions. This is one of the most popular breakfast dishes in Thailand. Jok is characterized by a soft texture and neutral taste, so it is often recommended for children and people with sensitive stomachs.

Moo Ping

Moo Ping consists of juicy grilled skewers of marinated pork. Thanks to the sweet marinade, the meat turns out very tender and fragrant. Moo Ping is most often sold at street markets and served with sticky rice. The dish does not contain hot spices and is considered one of the most popular snacks among locals.

Pla Tod

Pla Tod is fried fish with a crispy golden crust. Different types of fish are used depending on the region, but the cooking principle remains the same. The dish has a mild taste and is usually served with rice and fresh vegetables. Spicy sauces are offered separately, so tourists can safely enjoy the fish without the risk of getting a too-spicy dish.

Gai Yang

Gai Yang is the famous Thai grilled chicken. The meat is pre-marinated in garlic, coriander, and light spices, then roasted over coals. The chicken turns out juicy inside and slightly crispy outside. Despite its rich aroma, the dish is usually not spicy and is excellent for the whole family.

Moo Tod Kratiem

Moo Tod Kratiem consists of pieces of pork fried with a generous amount of garlic until golden brown. The simple combination of meat, garlic, and soy sauce creates a rich flavor without using hot peppers. The dish is often served with rice and fresh vegetables, and its popularity among locals is comparable to that of homemade meat dishes in Europe.

Grilled Seafood

If you are vacationing in Phuket, you should definitely pay attention to fresh seafood.

Shrimp, squid, fish, and lobsters are often grilled without a lot of spices.

If desired, you can ask for the dish to be prepared without spicy sauces.

This option allows you to enjoy the taste of fresh seafood without the risk of encountering excessive spiciness.

Fruits and Desserts

A separate part of Thai cuisine is desserts and tropical fruits.

Mango sticky rice, coconut ice cream, Roti pancakes, fresh pineapples, mangosteens, and rambutans contain absolutely no spicy ingredients.

Many tourists admit that Thai desserts are their main gastronomic discovery during their vacation.

How to order non-spicy food in Thailand

Most restaurants and cafes in Phuket understand English.

If you want a dish without chili peppers, use the phrases:

No spicy

Not spicy please

It's also useful to remember the Thai phrase:

Mai Pet

which literally means "not spicy."

If you can't tolerate spicy food at all, you can additionally ask for:

No chili

Should you be afraid of Thai cuisine?

Definitely not.

Phuket has a huge number of dishes that suit people who don't like spicy food. Moreover, many Thai dishes have a mild, sweet, or creamy taste and are nothing like the stereotypes usually associated with Asian cuisine.

So, even if you've never been a fan of spices, be sure to try the local cuisine during your vacation. Most likely, you will find many new favorite dishes and realize that Thai food is much more than just hot peppers.