Isan (Northeast Thailand)

🍳Cooking Style

Intense spice, fermented fish, grilled meats, raw salads (laab, som tam). Strong Lao cultural ties.

📜Historical Context

Isan's Lao heritage and agricultural lifestyle shaped a cuisine of preserved foods and bold flavors that has become beloved nationwide.

🌟Signature Dishes

Thailand·Easy·25 minutes

Som Tam

A vibrant and refreshing Isaan classic, Som Tam is a pounded green papaya salad bursting with spicy, sour, sweet, and salty flavors. This version is a fundamental representation of this beloved Thai dish.

Thailand·Easy·4 hours 20 minutes (minimum, including marinating)

Gai Yang

A quintessential Isaan-style Thai grilled chicken, marinated in a fragrant blend of herbs and spices, then grilled to smoky perfection. This dish is a beloved street food classic, best enjoyed with sticky rice and a spicy dipping sauce.

Thailand·Easy·30-35 minutes

Nam Tok Moo

Nam Tok Moo, meaning 'waterfall pork', is a vibrant and spicy Thai grilled pork salad originating from the Isaan region. It's characterized by its juicy, tender pork that's sliced and then tossed in a zesty dressing with toasted rice powder, chili, and fresh herbs. The name refers to the delicious juices that 'drip' from the grilled pork, resembling a waterfall.

🍽️More from Isan (Northeast Thailand)

Thailand·Medium·2 hours 15 minutes

Gaeng Hung Lay

A rich and flavorful Northern Thai specialty, Gaeng Hung Lay is a Burmese-style pork belly curry characterized by its sweet, sour, and deeply savory profile, infused with ginger and tamarind. It's often considered even better the next day.

Thailand·Easy·40 minutes

Gaeng Keow Wan Look Chin Pla

A classic and vibrant Thai green curry featuring bouncy fish balls, tender Thai eggplant, and fragrant Thai basil, simmered in a rich coconut milk broth. This quick and easy curry is perfect for a flavorful weeknight meal.

Thailand·Easy·45 minutes

Gaeng Khiao Wan

Aromatic and creamy Thai green curry featuring tender chicken simmered in coconut milk with a vibrant green curry paste and tender Thai eggplant. This classic dish is known for its complex flavors and comforting richness.

Thailand·Medium·45 minutes

Gaeng Kua Goong Sapparot

A vibrant and flavorful Thai red curry that balances the richness of coconut milk with the sweetness of pineapple and the savory taste of shrimp. This dish, often found in Southern Thai cuisine, offers a delightful interplay of sweet, sour, and spicy notes, making it a refreshing departure from more common curries.

Thailand·Medium·45 minutes

Gaeng Kua Pak Pak Wan Goong

A vibrant and aromatic Southern Thai curry, Gaeng Kua Pak Pak Wan Goong features the unique flavor of pak wan (sweet leaf) and the sweetness of fresh shrimp in a rich, coconut-milk based red curry broth. This dish is a delightful balance of savory, sweet, and subtly spicy notes, showcasing the fresh ingredients and complex flavors characteristic of Thai cuisine.

Thailand·Medium·50 minutes

Gaeng Kua Pak Ruam Gai

A delightful variation of Thai red curry, this version features tender pieces of chicken and a colorful assortment of fresh vegetables simmered in a fragrant coconut milk broth. It's a comforting and balanced dish that highlights the versatility of Thai curries.