Northern Thailand

🍳Cooking Style

Less spicy than central Thailand, emphasis on bitter flavors and herbs. Sticky rice instead of jasmine. Burmese influences.

📜Historical Context

The ancient Lanna kingdom developed distinct traditions, with trade routes to Myanmar and China influencing the cuisine.

🌟Signature Dishes

Thailand·Medium·1 hour

Khao Soi

A beloved Northern Thai dish, Khao Soi is a rich and fragrant coconut curry noodle soup. It features tender chicken simmered in a spiced coconut broth, served with soft egg noodles and topped with a delightful tangle of crispy fried noodles, fresh lime, pickled mustard greens, and thinly sliced shallots.

Thailand·Medium·1 hour 50 minutes - 1 hour 55 minutes

Sai Oua

An aromatic and flavorful grilled sausage, a specialty from the Chiang Mai region of Northern Thailand, featuring vibrant notes of lemongrass, galangal, and kaffir lime.

Thailand·Easy·50 minutes

Nam Prik Ong

A flavorful and slightly spicy Northern Thai relish made with minced pork, tomatoes, and chilies. It's traditionally served as a dip with fresh vegetables and crispy pork crackling.

🍽️More from Northern 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·Medium·50 minutes

Gaeng Pa

A rustic and fiery Thai jungle curry, celebrated for its intense spice and lack of coconut milk. This dish is traditionally made with a variety of fresh vegetables and your choice of protein, simmered in a fragrant, spicy broth.

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·Medium·50 minutes

Kaeng Pa

An intensely flavorful and spicy Thai curry from the jungle regions, traditionally made without coconut milk. This dish is known for its bold, aromatic, and fiery profile, featuring a medley of fresh vegetables and herbs.

Thailand·Medium·50 minutes

Khao Kluk Kapi

A fragrant and flavorful Thai fried rice dish, Khao Kluk Kapi, is characterized by its pungent shrimp paste base, complemented by a variety of savory and fresh toppings. This recipe offers a detailed guide to creating this complex yet rewarding meal.

Thailand·Easy·1 hour 10 minutes

Khao Man Gai

A beloved Thai comfort food, Khao Man Gai features tender, poached chicken served over fragrant rice cooked in chicken broth and fat, accompanied by a flavorful ginger-soy dipping sauce. It's a Thai adaptation of the Hainanese chicken rice dish.