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Menu · Translation
Reading a Thai Menu in English
A laminated Thai menu with no translation is the fastest way to a dish you didn’t want. Here’s how to always know what you’re ordering in Khao Lak.
Thai menus in Khao Lak and Bang Niang are a gamble. Some have English, some just a photo and a price, some are Thai script only. And even when a translation is there, “spicy salad” still hides whether it’s papaya, glass noodles or raw prawns – and how much chili is coming.
What actually helps
- Learn five basic words. Gaeng (curry), Pad (stir-fried), Tom (soup), Khao (rice), Goong (prawn). That decodes half the menu.
- Watch the number, not the name. Almost every Thai restaurant numbers its dishes. The number is the reliable part – names get mistranslated, numbers don’t.
- Mention the spice level upfront. “Mai phet” means “not spicy.” Say it when ordering, not after the first bite.
The shortcut that ends the guessing
At Mol Thaifood Restaurant, the full menu lives in the free app – in English, German, Russian, Turkish, Kyrgyz and Thai. All 245+ dishes show translation, photo, number and price. “Som tam thai” reads as “green papaya salad” too, and you see the dish before it hits the table.
Practical tip: Switch the app to your language already on the plane and browse the mains. Everything works offline – no roaming needed on arrival.
That’s the difference between hoping and knowing – especially with a picky eater, an allergy, or a twelve-year-old at the table.
The menu in your language. Free, works offline, 245+ dishes in six languages.
