Thai Food at Trader Joe's That's Better Than Restaurants For a Fraction of the Cost

One of the best Trader Joe's shopping hacks to use is getting authentic cuisine from around the world to satisfy your cravings without draining your wallet by eating out. 

This store's selection of Thai food means you get just what you're looking for at unbeatable prices. Additionally, many of these dishes incorporate Asian flavors to create a unique offering.

The freezer aisle and sauce shelves are good places to start. Seven of the eight items below cost less than $5, and several are made for Trader Joe's by suppliers in Thailand.

Editor's note: Prices and availability are subject to change and may vary by location.

Price: $3.99

This product is a must-buy during your next visit if you're craving Thai food.

This pad see ew is a fun twist on a classic chow fun, and it's full of umami flavors like soy sauce, garlic, and fried wok. Plus, this version is vegan, and it heats up in just a few minutes in your microwave.

Pad see ew translates to "fried with soy sauce." Trader Joe's version, made by a supplier in Thailand, combines wide rice noodles with Chinese broccoli, carrots, tofu, and tofu sheets in light and dark soy sauce. The 10-ounce box holds two servings with 300 calories each. A Sporked reviewer gave it a 7 out of 10, praising the chewy noodles but calling the Chinese broccoli stems bitter.

Price: $4.99

This Asian-fusion dish blends Thai flavors for a delicious bite that saves you a trip to your favorite restaurant.

This vegetable gyoza is a vegetarian-friendly dish that's easy to make and affordable for a quick dinner anytime. You can even use these wrapped bites in a homemade dumpling soup or salad. Each 16-ounce bag holds about 15 dumplings filled with white cabbage, carrot, chive, white radish, and onion, plus ginger, garlic, and soy sauce. 

They're fully cooked, so you can steam, pan-fry, or microwave them. Food Republic ranked them first among nine Trader Joe's frozen dumplings, calling them "leagues ahead of the competition." About three pieces have 160 calories.

Price: $3.79

Make this vegetable pad Thai as a side dish or entrée for your Thai cuisine night.

These rice noodles, scallions, and tofu come in a tamarind sauce that adds some heat and sweetness for a bold taste.

If you want to keep this a plant-based meal, just add some lime juice and peanuts for extra flavor. Another easy option is to cook a portion of beef or chicken to make it a more robust meal that can serve two. Each 10.5-ounce tray has 360 calories and 10 grams of protein. It also contains cashews, so skip it if you have a tree nut allergy.

Price: $3.49

Here's an easy lunch option that will save you time and money this month.

This noodle bowl has a world of Asian-inspired flavors, including Szechuan peppers, peanut sauce, and wheat noodles. Plus, it packs a healthy dose of protein and iron to keep your energy up throughout the day. The bowl is inspired by dandan noodles, a classic Szechuan dish. 

Chewy wheat noodles are topped with minced chicken, bok choy, onions, and carrots, then tossed in a spicy sauce made with peanut butter, tamari, and tahini. Each 10.8-ounce bowl has 500 calories, 19 grams of protein, and 13 milligrams of iron. It's ready after about five minutes in the microwave.

Price: $6.49

Make restaurant-style fried rice at home in a flash with this deal.

This fried rice has a spicy Thai seasoning and shrimp for a mouthwatering meal or side that elevates any occasion. Serve this with the Thai green curry mentioned above for an affordable dinner that is full of flavor. 

The 16-ounce bag is packed with jasmine rice, shrimp, carrots, baby corn, green peas, basil, and sliced red chilies. You can make it on the stovetop or in the microwave. The bag holds about three 1-cup servings with 220 calories each. 

A Chowhound taste tester wanted more shrimp and found the heat mild, so add chili sauce if you like it spicier.

Price: $3.99

This block of tofu comes already marinated, so you can cook it with your favorite dishes.

Enjoy the taste of teriyaki in this plant-based protein, which is served with rice, noodles, and other Thai cuisine. For a healthier meal, try frying it in your air fryer and serving it with steamed veggies. 

The tofu is baked, then marinated in a mild teriyaki sauce with notes of garlic and ginger. It's ready to eat straight from the package, so you can also slice it cold for salads. 

Each 7-ounce package holds two pieces with 190 calories and 15 grams of protein apiece. Trader Joe's also sells a Sriracha Flavored Baked Tofu for the same price.

Price: $2.29

Turn any dish or protein into a Thai-inspired recipe with this convenient sauce.

This sauce blends sweet, savory, and spicy flavors with its peanut base and red curry paste. At this low price, you can use this to make homemade satay skewers with your favorite Trader Joe's finds. 

The sauce is made for Trader Joe's by a supplier in Thailand. Along with peanuts and red curry paste, it includes coconut milk, lemongrass, shallot, galangal, and tamarind paste. At 8.1 ounces, it holds about seven 2-tablespoon servings with 80 calories each. 

It also works as a dip for spring rolls, a sauce for noodles, or a quick salad dressing when mixed with rice vinegar.

Price: $3.49

This zesty sauce will take any classic meal and give it some Thai flavor that you know and love.

Add this yellow curry sauce to your chicken, beef, tofu, and other Asian-inspired dishes for a taste of onion, garlic, red chilies, and ginger. This has a mild heat with a creamy coconut milk base for a velvety texture in any dish.

Simmer it with your cooked protein or veggies, then serve over rice. Sporked named it the best yellow curry sauce for dipping, though the reviewer found it a little too salty to use as a simmer sauce. The 11-ounce package holds about five quarter-cup servings. It also contains milk, so it isn't vegan.

Stop by your local Trader Joe's to see what other Thai dishes you can find at a bargain.

This value store helps you save money on everyday essentials while offering one-of-a-kind finds that you can't get anywhere else. Which of these authentic bites will you be trying first?

Most of these picks cost less than $5, and a single jar of sauce can stretch across several meals. Keep a few frozen entrées on hand for busy weeknights, and pair them with sides like the gyoza or baked tofu for a fuller dinner at home. Just check the labels if you have food allergies, since several of these items contain peanuts, cashews, wheat, or soy.