Thai keto guide
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202 dishes39 keto as served135 with a photo
Keto friendliness
Adapting Thai cuisine for keto is possible but requires constant vigilance for hidden sugars and starches in sauces, and necessitates specific modification requests.
Top ingredients
Excellent traditional keto ingredients include coconut milk, various meats and seafood, non-starchy vegetables, and fresh herbs like basil and cilantro.
Danger zones
The primary carb traps are pervasive added sugar in almost all sauces and curries, rice, noodles, and starchy thickeners found in many popular dishes like Pad Thai and curries.
Best for
This cuisine is best suited for experienced keto dieters who are adept at custom ordering and understand ingredient sourcing, or for home cooks.
What to drink
Drinks you will see at Thai restaurants, cafés and stalls, rated the same way as the food.
Order these
- KetoHot Black Coffee กาแฟดำร้อน (kafae dam ron) · 1g net carbs as usually served
- Ask firstFresh Young Coconut มะพร้าวน้ำหอม (maprao nam hom) · 8g net carbs as usually servedDrink half and eat the soft flesh with a spoon.
- Ask firstOliang (Thai Black Iced Coffee) โอเลี้ยง (oliang) · 20g net carbs as usually servedSay 'mai sai nam tan' (no sugar) or 'mai wan' (not sweet). 'Wan noi' only means less sweet.
- Ask firstLemongrass Pandan Drink น้ำตะไคร้ใบเตย (nam takrai bai toey) · 20g net carbs as usually servedSay 'mai sai nam tan' (no sugar) or 'mai wan' (not sweet). 'Wan noi' only means less sweet. Often premade sweet, so check first.
- Ask firstIced Black Tea ชาดำเย็น (cha dam yen) · 25g net carbs as usually servedSay 'mai sai nam tan' (no sugar) or 'mai wan' (not sweet). 'Wan noi' only means less sweet.
- Ask firstLimeade น้ำมะนาว (nam manao) · 25g net carbs as usually servedSay 'mai sai nam tan' (no sugar) or 'mai wan' (not sweet). 'Wan noi' only means less sweet. Or ask for soda water with fresh lime (soda manao mai sai nam tan).
- Ask firstButterfly Pea Lemonade น้ำอัญชันมะนาว (nam anchan manao) · 25g net carbs as usually servedSay 'mai sai nam tan' (no sugar) or 'mai wan' (not sweet). 'Wan noi' only means less sweet.
- Ask firstLime Iced Tea ชามะนาว (cha manao) · 30g net carbs as usually servedSay 'mai sai nam tan' (no sugar) or 'mai wan' (not sweet). 'Wan noi' only means less sweet. Some stalls premix it, so it may not be possible.
Skip these
- SkipThai Energy Drink (small bottle) เครื่องดื่มชูกำลัง (kreung deum chu kamlang) · 15g net carbs as usually servedSkip this, order sugar-free energy drink instead.
- SkipBael Fruit Drink น้ำมะตูม (nam matoom) · 25g net carbs as usually servedSkip this, order hot tea, no sugar instead.
- SkipRoselle Juice น้ำกระเจี๊ยบ (nam krajiap) · 28g net carbs as usually servedSkip this, order iced black tea, no sugar instead.
- SkipThai Iced Green Tea ชาเขียวเย็น (cha khiao yen) · 35g net carbs as usually servedSkip this, order hot or iced green tea with no sugar instead.
- SkipThai Iced Coffee กาแฟเย็น (kafae yen) · 35g net carbs as usually servedSkip this, order Oliang with no sugar, or an Americano instead.
- SkipLongan Drink น้ำลำไย (nam lamyai) · 35g net carbs as usually servedSkip this, order water or tea, no sugar instead.
- SkipThai Iced Tea ชาเย็น (cha yen) · 40g net carbs as usually servedSkip this, order iced black tea, no sugar (cha dam yen mai sai nam tan) instead.
- SkipFruit Shake น้ำปั่น (nam pan) · 40g net carbs as usually servedSkip this, order fresh coconut, half instead.
- SkipPink Milk นมเย็น (nom yen) · 40g net carbs as usually servedSkip this, order iced black tea, no sugar instead.
- SkipSugarcane Juice น้ำอ้อย (nam oy) · 60g net carbs as usually servedSkip this, order fresh coconut water (a small amount) instead.
16 matching dishes
Gaeng Luang Pla
Southern Thai Yellow Fish Curry (Without Coconut Milk)
A vibrant and intensely spicy Southern Thai clear curry, known for its yellow hue from turmeric. It features f…
16 net20 total4 fibre60 protein25 fat550 kcal
Nam Ya Kati (Keto, No Noodles)
Southern Thai Fish Curry (Keto, No Noodles)
A rich, creamy, and aromatic fish curry from Southern Thailand, made with a base of fish, coconut milk, and a …
16 net20 total4 fibre70 protein65 fat850 kcal
Pad Prik Lueang Pla
Stir-fried Fish with Yellow Chili Paste
A Southern Thai specialty, this fiery stir-fry features tender fish fillets (often firm white fish like snappe…
16 net22 total6 fibre50 protein50 fat700 kcal
Pad Prik Tai Dam Nuea
Beef Black Pepper Stir-fry
Tender slices of beef stir-fried with onions, bell peppers, and plenty of crushed black pepper in a savory sau…
16 net20 total4 fibre55 protein50 fat700 kcal
Gaeng Karee Gai (No Potatoes)
Yellow Curry Chicken (Keto Modified, No Potatoes)
A rich and aromatic yellow curry with chicken, infused with turmeric and mild spices. Traditionally contains p…
17 net22 total5 fibre45 protein70 fat800 kcal
Jim Jum (Thai Hot Pot with Keto Sides)
Northeastern Thai Herbal Hot Pot with Keto Sides
A communal Northeastern Thai hot pot experience where a flavorful, herbal broth simmers over charcoal. Diners …
17 net25 total8 fibre70 protein50 fat800 kcal
Gaeng Som Goong
Sour Curry with Shrimp
A unique, intensely fiery, and tangy curry from central Thailand, distinctively made without coconut milk. It …
18 net25 total7 fibre60 protein30 fat600 kcal
Pad Makua Yao (Stir-fried Eggplant with Basil and Protein)
Stir-fried Eggplant with Basil and Protein
Tender long eggplant slices stir-fried with your choice of protein (minced pork, chicken, or beef) and aromati…
18 net25 total7 fibre45 protein55 fat700 kcal
Gaeng Pu Bai Cha Plu
Crab Curry with Wild Betel Leaves
A rich and aromatic Southern Thai curry featuring succulent crab meat cooked in creamy coconut milk with a spi…
20 net25 total5 fibre60 protein75 fat900 kcal
Gaeng Phed Gai
Red Curry Chicken
A quintessential Thai red curry, featuring tender chicken pieces simmered in a rich, spicy coconut milk broth.…
21 net25 total4 fibre50 protein70 fat850 kcal
Gaeng Paneang Moo
Panang Curry Pork
A thick, creamy, and mildly sweet red-gold curry that is less liquid than other Thai curries. It features slic…
22 net27 total5 fibre52 protein73 fat880 kcal
Pad Prik Khing Moo
Stir-fried Pork with Red Curry Paste and Green Beans
A fiery dry stir-fry featuring sliced pork (or chicken/shrimp) cooked with red curry paste, typically accompan…
22 net28 total6 fibre55 protein55 fat750 kcal
Gaeng Massaman Nuea
Massaman Beef Curry
A unique Thai curry with Persian influences, characterized by its mild, slightly sweet, and aromatic flavor pr…
24 net30 total6 fibre55 protein75 fat900 kcal
Pad Kee Mao Talay (No Zucchini Noodles)
Drunken Seafood Stir-fry (No Zucchini Noodles)
A spicy and highly aromatic stir-fry, typically prepared with mixed seafood (or choice of meat), holy basil, g…
24 net30 total6 fibre55 protein57 fat770 kcal
Pad Prik Gaeng Gai
Chicken Stir-fry with Red Curry Paste and Mixed Vegetables
A flavorful and spicy stir-fry featuring chicken, red curry paste, and a selection of mixed vegetables. This d…
25 net32 total7 fibre50 protein58 fat780 kcal
Pad Med Ma Muang Gai
Stir-fried Chicken with Cashew Nuts
A popular stir-fry combining tender chicken pieces with crunchy roasted cashew nuts, bell peppers, and onions,…
30 net35 total5 fibre50 protein60 fat800 kcal