Whenever I travel, something bad happens. In Furore, Italy, I succumbed to sunstroke from too much wine and too little water. In Bali, a wayward monkey bared its teeth and bit me. I also contracted ‘Bali belly’. I had the runs in Cuzco, Peru, and was woozy from altitude sickness meds. So, I expected to get sick again on my trip to Thailand. To my surprise (and relief) I was symptom-free.
Travelers often get sick drinking tap water contaminated with bacteria, viruses, or parasites. In Bali, I’m fairly certain that the lettuce I ate was the culprit. But it could also have been the ice cubes. So, when I planned a trip to Thailand, I thought I’d be eating rice and noodles only. But I ended up loving the cuisine and making the recipes at home.
Read on for 7 tips to tame your tummy and make eating enjoyable abroad.
#1: Research Local Foods
I prepared myself for Thailand by researching food staples and figuring out my favorites. Here’s a short list:
- Chicken with Cashews (my absolute fave!):chicken pieces, cashews, bell peppers, onions, garlic, and snap peas, stir-fried together in a flavorful sauce, typically made from soy sauce, oyster sauce, and ginger.
- Massaman Curry: a rich, mildly spicy curry made with coconut milk, peanuts, potatoes, and meat such as beef or chicken.
- Pad Thai: stir-fried rice noodles with tamarind sauce, fish sauce, shrimp or chicken, tofu, egg, and crushed peanuts.
- Som Tam (Papaya Salad): a refreshing salad combining shredded green papaya with chili, lime, fish sauce, and peanuts.
- Sticky Rice with Mango (Khao Niao Mamuang): a beloved dessert featuring sticky rice, sweet mango, and coconut cream.
#2: Try the Local Foods Before Your Trip
I ate at two Thai restaurants in Toronto:
Pai
This funky restaurant in mid-town Toronto serves up superb Thai dishes. The ceiling is covered with tiny hanging lanterns. A large pink, purple, and blue mural advertises Singha, a Thai beer, one of Thailand’s most iconic lagers. It has a crisp, slightly sweet flavor, perfect for pairing with spicy foods. I ate the Gaeng Massaman ‘Massaman Curry’.
Visit their website: https://www.paitoronto.com/.
Som Tom Jinda
The waft of basil and lemongrass envelopes you as you enter this Thai eatery in downtown Toronto. Gorgeous murals decorate the walls. This 10-table restaurant is mentioned in the Michelin Guide. I had the Penang, a peanut curry with chicken and eggplant. It had an authentic mix of herbs and spices I hadn’t tried before.
Visit their website: https://somtumjinda.ca/.
#3: Avoid Eating Street Food
I know Thailand is famous for its street food offerings, but street food may have the following issues:
- Use of oil that has been sitting around for a while.
- Improper refrigeration.
- Unclean cooking surfaces.
- Food may have been sitting in the sun.
#4: Absolutely No Tap Water (Even to Brush Your Teeth)
- Be wary of ice cubes.
- Don’t eat fruits or vegetables unless cooked.
- No lettuce.
- Stick to drinks that come from a bottle or can.
Before my trip, I wasn’t a fan of cooked veggies. Now I eat them all the time.
#5: Avoid Eating Bugs and Other Local Delicacies
Asian cultures make use of various foods that westerners are not used to. These include bugs such as grasshoppers, raw pig’s blood, red ant legs, or fried scorpions. You simply don’t know how your tummy will react, so better be safe than end up in the hospital or at the very least, feeling unwell during your vacation.
#6: Check Out Reviews and Consider Bib Gourmand or Michelin Star Restaurants.
Bib Gourmand is a Michelin award that indicates a restaurant gives good value for money. I enjoyed an 11-course dinner at Potong, named Bangkok’s best restaurant. Executive Chef Pichaya Soontornyanakij or ‘Pam’, the owner of Potong and three other restaurants, was named Asia’s Best Female Chef in 2024. Potong also earned a Michelin Star.
#7: Stock Up on Food Staples at Home
To make the vacation last, or to travel to Thailand without leaving home, you can buy ingredients for Thai foods (such as lemongrass, oyster and fish sauces, and dark soy sauce) and enjoy them at home.
These 7 tips helped me. But everyone is different. It’s best to consult with your doctor about other precautions you can take and any over-the-counter or prescription medicines.
Remember the monkey that bit me in Bali? Well in Thailand, a capuchin monkey dived into my kayak in Ao Nang, poked a hole in my water bottle, and drained it. I guess I attract wild animals.
Also read, Let Me Inspire You by Sharing My Trip to Asia.
Let’s Share Experiences:
Are you nervous about traveling abroad because of the food? What else holds you back? Are you interested in some Thai recipes I’ve been trying? What have you eaten abroad that you are still enjoying at home? Are there other travel, food, and drinks topics that you would like to know more about?
