The idea of eating insects in Thailand may sound revolting to other palates, but people in this country have been following the practice of entomophagy for centuries as a local tradition.
The reasons for food xenophobia, especially among Westerners, who hesitate to consume something unfamiliar, disinterest and indifference which can be explained by cultural backgrounds and traditional eating patterns.
These days it is common to see cartloads of bugs of different kinds being sold on the streets of Bangkok, Phuket and other regions of the country.
Preferred as a crispy and salty snack, especially while enjoying cold beer, eating bugs in Thailand is an intrinsic part of their culture and a daily habit of many locals.
Moreover, insects are low in calories, high in protein, fat, vitamins, minerals, have medicinal properties and are an extremely nutritious and appealing alternative food source.
Crickets and grasshoppers, in particular, are an excellent source of protein with an average content of 10 gms to 25 gms/100 hms of insect body weight, which surpasses the protein content of many plant-based sources.
Though the practice is not exactly appetizing to visitors, it is well worth giving it a try, if only for the cultural experience. Its important to include bug eating in your Bangkok itinerary.
So here is a list of some of these delicious titbits and the best places to find them.
From Crispy Crickets to Fried Scorpions: 10 Insects Thais Love to Eat
Think of insects as weird menu items? Well think again. Here’s what Thai’s love to eat and for good reason –
Grasshoppers
Eating method: Plop the entire grasshopper in the mouth in a single bite.
Grasshoppers are the most common edible insects on the street food menu of Thailand and are either fried or roasted intact, wings, legs and all.
For a better dining experience, some prefer the wings and legs to be removed as they tend to get stuck in the teeth.
Their taste and texture is satisfying and they take on the flavours of the ingredients they are cooked in or seasoned with. Grasshoppers you get in Thailand are normally between 5 cms to 10 cms in length.
Silkworm Pupae
Eating method: the worms are like small pills so swallow them whole
Silkworms are a great source of nutrition and supposedly have some of the highest protein content of all bugs that humans eat and are excellent in absorbing the flavors in which they are cooked.
The silkworm has a crisp outer shell and a soft centre, something like a mashed potato. They are the most palatable of all bugs on this list and a good alternative to those who don’t find crickets or grasshoppers appealing.
Crickets
Eating method: crickets are totally edible so just toss the entire bug into your mouth
In appearance, both grasshoppers and crickets look alike, but there is a world of a difference in their taste and texture.
Crickets taste a bit sharper and perhaps closer to what you might expect that you are eating an insect with no prior knowledge. They are also less crunchy than grasshoppers and their torso has a pulpy center which feels quite unpleasant to those not expecting it.
Crickets have larger legs and are more susceptible of getting stuck in the teeth than grasshoppers are, so removing them beforehand is advisable.
Scorpions
Eating method: Remove the shell and dig out the soft meat inside
Scorpions are probably one of the most exotic of all foods in Thailand. A scorpion on a stick might look scary and unappealing, but are delicious to eat.
If you are wondering what scorpions taste like, think of the very best crispy french fries. Though the taste is similar, they are full of nutrients, unlike those found in potatoes. Scorpion meat is said to contain 50% protein.
Water Beetles
Eating method: Eaten whole, often deep fried and salted
Locally known as mang da, water beetles are a popular edible insect in Thailand which have a unique musk-like flavor and command a very high rating as they are considered a culinary delicacy. In fact, the unique musk is so distinctive that it is distilled and sold by the bottle.
Three inches long, they roam the rice fields of the country and buzz around street lights in the city. The female of the species are deep fried and eaten on their own, while the males are grounded with chillies, garlic and onions.
Giant Water Bugs
Eating method: Amputate the wings first, before digging into the meat and eggs on the body. Finally break open the head to fish out all the healthy meat
Giant water bugs are by far the largest of all insects found on the streets of Thailand and are considered an insect-sized lobster in comparison. Even after doing all the legwork to access the soft and juicy meat, it is difficult to define its real taste. However, it has some sourness which is reminiscent of aniseed, which some individuals find overpowering.
There is a milder form to eat this huge bug by trying it with chilli sauce, of which it is a key ingredient. Giant water bugs can be found in markets across Thailand, either fresh or frozen and is well suited for commercial farming because of low investment and high returns.
Bamboo Worms
Eating method: Munch them like a bag of popcorn at the movies
If you are interested in trying to eat insects in Thailand, you should try bamboo worms first.Their neutral taste and popcorn-like texture makes them a firm favorite of the locals, and may possibly appeal to the daring traveler as well.
Bamboo worms are so called because they feed on the pulp of the bamboo plant and are harvested by farmers in rural areas.They are fried alive and can be stored for up to 3 years. Despite their small size if 2-3 cm in length, these worms are a bit pricey, but are popular because they are the least offensive of all the bugs on the streets of Thailand.
Red Ants/ Ant Eggs
Eating method: eaten whole like crunchies
Red ants and their eggs are commonly consumed in northern and eastern parts of Thailand and taste a bit like lime and are extremely nutritious. The eggs are soft and juicy and bigger in size than one might imagine.
The prized eggs can only be collected in the dryer months between March and May from mango trees and can sell for as much as 500 Thai Baht per kilo and are hence a once-in-a-year delicacy for most because of the high price.The eggs are often cooked in omelettes as a substitute for pork.
Tarantulas
Eating method: The body is eaten first as it tastes best, while the legs are eaten afterwards.
The tarantula might be eaten dead, but this giant spider looks just as terrifying as when alive. While some consider that flavor is influenced by the way food appears and smells, a tarantula doesn’t taste too bad-similar in taste to a crab.
These arachnids are a rarity in Thailand, but in countries like Cambodia, these delicacies sell for $1 apiece, a princely sum in a place where the minimum wage is just $6 a day.
Since they are so expensive, people only eat them during special events, such as a birthday party where everyone gets to eat a couple of tarantulas.
Best Places to Eat Insects in Thailand
For visitors, the most famous place to find insects would be around Khao San Road in Bangkok. Here after 6 pm every evening, several vendors sell freshly fried insects from their push carts.
These include, grasshoppers, bamboo worms, silk large, crickets, ant queens and scorpions.The menu keeps changing according to season, with scorpions considered a rare delicacy that are sometimes difficult to find.
You will likely find insect pushcarts in the following areas also:
- Soi Cowboy (Sukhumvit)
- Klong Toey Market (Rama IV Road)
- Patpong (Silom)
FAQ’S
Are Bugs Safe to Eat in Thailand?
Most insects from street vendors are farm-raised, then fried or dried—making them generally safe—though those with allergies or sensitivities should be cautious.
Why do Thais Eat Insects?
Eating insects is a long-standing cultural practice; they are rich in protein, healthy fats, vitamins, and easy to farm.
What are the Edible Insects in Thailand?
Thai people eat - Grasshoppers, Silkworm pupae, Crickets, Scorpions, Water beetles, Giant water bugs, Bamboo worms, Red ants/ant eggs, Tarantulas and more.
What is the best insect for first-timers to try in Thailand?
Bamboo worms are the most approachable option—they’re small, mild-tasting, and less visually intimidating.
So ready to try eating insects in Thailand? Which one would you dare try first?
This alongside regular visits to Indian jungles in search of the Royal Bengal Tiger, fueled her zest for adventure, nature and wildlife.
Now she is a renowned travel blogger, outreach expert and has worked with over 500 travel brands in the last 15 years.
