What To Serve With Thai Fish Cakes (13+ Best Sides)

Packed with flavoursome ingredients like fish, lime juice, fish sauce, and spicy red curry paste, Thai fish cakes that are a street food classic that can be typically found on the menus of all the best Thai restaurants right around the world. 

Interestingly, these crispy, savoury delights are thought to have been introduced to Thailand by Portuguese traders many centuries ago, making them a happy fusion between the two cuisines’ culinary influences.

If you fancy making your own at home, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at just how budget friendly, easy, and absolutely delicious they are! 

But what about the side dishes? 

In this guide, I’m going to discuss the very best accompaniments, to turn your fish cakes into a balanced meal. 

Just need the quick answer? 

Some of the best choices for what to serve with Thai fish cakes include sticky rice, papaya salad, steamed vegetables, glass noodle salad, green mango salad, sweet and sour sauce, and tom yum soup.  

Read on for more ideas and serving suggestions… 

Side Dishes

When choosing side dishes to accompany Thai fish cakes, consider options that balance the flavours and textures.

A combination of sticky rice, a fresh papaya salad, and steamed vegetables will complement your meal beautifully.

Sticky Rice

Sticky or glutinous rice, known as khao neow, is a traditional Thai accompaniment that pairs perfectly with the savoury taste of fish cakes.

It’s best consumed by hand, rolled into small balls and used to soak up the flavourful juices.

Papaya Salad

A spicy som tam, or papaya salad, offers a refreshing contrast.

Composed of shredded green papaya, carrots, tomatoes, and peanuts, it’s dressed in a tangy lime, garlic, and fish sauce dressing, giving a crisp, zesty edge to your dish.

Steamed Vegetables

Simple steamed vegetables such as broccoli, carrots, and baby corn not only add a splash of colour to your plate but also provide a wholesome and light accompaniment.

Serve them with a light soy or oyster sauce to maintain the delicate balance of flavours.

Salads and Greens

The freshness and zest of salads and greens beautifully complement the rich flavours of Thai fish cakes, offering a balance to your palate.

Glass Noodle Salad

To round off the spicy notes of Thai fish cakes, glass noodle salad, also known as Yum Woon Sen, is perfect.

Begin by soaking glass noodles in warm water until tender, then mix them with sliced red onions, spring onions, and tomatoes.

Dress the salad with a combination of lime juice, fish sauce, a hint of sugar, and fresh chillies for an authentic Thai taste.

Garnish with chopped coriander and crushed peanuts for texture.

(For more Thai meal inspiration, you’ll also like what to serve with Massaman curry!) 

Green Mango Salad

For a refreshing and tangy accompaniment, try a green mango salad (som tam mamuang).

This salad is simple: peel and shred a firm green mango, and combine with sliced shallots, chillies, and toasted cashews or peanuts.

Toss these ingredients in a dressing made of lime juice, fish sauce, and a spoonful of palm sugar until the sugar dissolves.

Sprinkle with fresh mint leaves to serve.

This salad’s sharpness makes it a great choice for what to serve with Thai fish cakes. 

Sauces and Dips

Choosing the right sauce or dip can enhance the flavours of Thai fish cakes.

Here are a few classic options that complement their taste perfectly…

Sweet and Sour Sauce

A sweet and sour sauce is a quintessential pair with Thai fish cakes.

Its balance of sweetness from sugar and tartness from vinegar provides a delightful contrast to the savoury cakes.

You can easily create this dip by combining equal parts of sugar and vinegar, a dash of salt, and a touch of chilli flakes for heat.

Spicy Dipping Sauce

For those who prefer a bit of a kick, a spicy dipping sauce is a must-try.

You’ll find that a mixture of fish sauce, lime juice, garlic, sugar, and finely sliced chillies offers a zesty and piquant flavour that cuts through the richness of the fish cakes.

Cucumber Relish

Cucumber relish, or ‘ajat’, introduces a crunchy texture and a cooling effect, which is a pleasant respite from heat.

This relish is made with diced cucumber, shallots, and red chillies immersed in a sweet vinegar dressing.

It’s a refreshing accompaniment that offsets the spiciness of the fish cakes and any accompanying sauces.

Soups and Broths

Selecting the ideal soup or broth to complement Thai fish cakes can elevate your meal with harmonising flavours.

Soups with a balance of spice, sourness, and refreshing herbs are especially fitting.

Tom Yum

Tom yum is a quintessential Thai soup that’s both fragrant and tantalising.

It complements Thai fish cakes by providing a spicy and sour broth, typically infused with lemongrass, galangal, and kaffir lime leaves.

Fresh prawns or mushrooms often feature alongside a generous squeeze of lime juice.

Ingredients:

• Fresh prawns or mushrooms
• Lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves
• Chillies and lime juice for seasoning

Preparation:

1. Simmer prawns or mushrooms with herbs and spices.
2. Add chillies and lime juice before serving.

Coconut Soup

Alternatively, coconut soup offers a milder but equally aromatic counterpart for what to serve with Thai fish cakes.

The creamy coconut base is softened by hints of galangal and lemongrass, often accompanied by chicken and cherry tomatoes.

Ingredients:

• Coconut milk
• Chicken or vegetables
• Galangal, lemongrass

Preparation:

1. Cook chicken or vegetables in a rich coconut milk base.
2. Infuse with galangal and lemongrass for a subtle yet complex aroma.

Beverage Pairings

When enjoying Thai fish cakes, choosing the right drink can enhance your culinary experience.

A good pairing should complement the dish’s flavours without overpowering them.

Cold Beers

Enjoying a cold beer with your Thai fish cakes can be refreshing.

Opt for beers that offer a crisp and clean taste to balance the richness of the fish cakes.

• Light Lagers: These beers are easy to drink and won’t conflict with the Thai spices.
• Wheat Beers: Their slight citrus notes can be a pleasant contrast to the herbs used in the fish cakes.

Crisp White Wines

If you prefer wine, a crisp white can be an excellent choice.

Look for wines with a balance of acidity and fruitiness when it comes to what to serve with Thai fish cakes.

• Sauvignon Blanc: High in acidity, it offers a zesty compliment to the fish cakes.
• Pinot Grigio: Known for its lightness, it can refresh your palate between bites.

Herbal Teas

For a non-alcoholic option, herbal teas can be soothing and aromatic, offering a subtle backdrop for the spices in Thai fish cakes.

• Lemongrass Tea: Its light and fresh flavour is harmonious with Thai cuisine.
• Green Tea: The tea’s earthy undertones may pair well with the fish cakes’ complexity.

Additional Tips

When serving Thai fish cakes, the balance of flavours and textures is key. Here’s how to achieve the perfect combination.

• Sauces: Pair your fish cakes with a sweet chilli sauce or a cucumber relish for a classic match. For a tart twist, consider a tamarind sauce.
• Herbs: Add a refreshing element with herbs. Fresh coriander or mint leaves make a delightful garnish.
• Sides: Accompany your fish cakes with light sides. A papaya salad or a noodle salad offers a crunchy texture.
• Vegetables: Quick-pickled vegetables, such as carrots or daikon radish, provide a sharp contrast that complements the fish cakes well.
• Rice: Serve with jasmine rice for a more filling meal, ensuring it’s fragrant and freshly steamed.
• Beverages: To drink, a crisp lager or a lemongrass-infused iced tea could be refreshing choices.
• Portions: Serve two to three fish cakes per person as a starter, or four to six for a main course.

Remember to serve everything at the appropriate temperature: fish cakes hot from the pan and salads cool and crisp. 

What’s your favourite option for sides for Thai fish cakes? 

Leave a comment below and share your ideas! 

If you love Thai food, get more inspiration by reading what to serve with Thai basil chicken, what to serve with pad Thai, and what to serve with Thai green curry!