If you’re visiting Northern Thailand, trying the local food is a must. From rich curries to delicious snacks, these dishes bring out the true flavors and traditions of the region. Here are 15 must-try dishes that showcase the true essence of Northern Thai cuisine.
1. Khao Soi (Curry Noodle Soup)
When you’re in Northern Thailand, don’t miss out on Khao Soi. This iconic curry noodle soup is made with tender chicken, beef, or pork in a rich coconut milk broth flavoured with turmeric and coriander. The dish is known for its mix of soft egg noodles and crispy fried ones, which adds a perfect crunch. It’s topped with lime, pickled mustard greens, and shallots for a blast of tangy and savoury taste.
The origins of Khao Soi can be traced back to Chinese-Muslim traders from Yunnan who brought their love for noodles and spices as they travelled through Myanmar and Laos, eventually shaping this beloved dish in Chiang Mai. If you love curry or noodles, Khao Soi is a must-try. It’s a tasty way to dive into the rich flavors and history of Northern Thai cuisine.
2. Sai Oua (Northern Thai Sausage)
Sai Oua, or Northern Thai sausage, perfectly captures Northern Thai flavors. This sausage combines minced pork with fresh herbs and spices like lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, galangal, and garlic, creating a savoury and slightly spicy taste. Grilled to perfection, Sai Oua is typically served with sticky rice and a spicy green chilli paste called nam prik noom. Its firm texture and bold herbal flavours offer a genuine taste of Northern Thai cuisine. For an authentic experience, enjoy Sai Oua at local markets and street food stalls.
3. Nam Phrik Ong (Chilli Dip)
Nam Phrik Ong is a must-try chilli dip that showcases the bold flavours of Northern Thai cuisine. This dip blends dried chillies, garlic, shallots, and shrimp paste with ground pork, tomatoes, fish sauce, and palm sugar, creating a rich mix of heat, sweetness, and savoury avors. It pairs wonderfully with fresh vegetables like cabbage, long beans, and eggplant, along with sticky rice. Nam Phrik Ong’s wonderful taste lies in its well-balanced ingredients, which include chillies for heat, tomatoes for a touch of sweetness, and shrimp paste and fish sauce for a savoury depth. Enjoy Nam Phrik Ong as a main dip or side dish for a true taste of Northern Thailand.
4. Kaeng Hang Lei (Northern Pork Curry)
Kaeng Hang Lei, or Northern pork curry, is a dish that truly highlights the flavors of Northern Thai cuisine. This curry features tender slices of pork belly cooked in a savory sauce made with spices like turmeric and tamarind, giving it a unique blend of mild sweetness and tanginess. Unlike many Thai curries, it doesn’t include coconut milk, letting the spices and natural richness of the pork stand out. The curry often includes a fragrant paste made with fresh herbs like lemongrass and galangal, along with spices influenced by Burmese cooking. Served with long-grain rice, Kaeng Hang Lei is a deliciously mild yet flavorful dish that offers a taste of Northern Thai culinary traditions.
5. Khanom Jeen Nam Ngiao (Northern Noodles)
Khanom Jeen Nam Ngiao is a beloved Northern Thai dish that brings together a delightful mix of flavours and textures. This hearty noodle soup features fresh rice vermicelli noodles in a rich, spicy tomato broth with tender pork ribs and ground pork. It stands out with dried flowers from the red cotton tree, which add a unique taste and a touch of visual appeal. The broth, seasoned with garlic, shallots, and dried chillies, offers a savoury and slightly tangy avor. Served with lime wedges, pickled mustard greens, and fresh bean sprouts, you can customise your bowl to fit your taste. The mix of soft noodles, flavourful broth, and crunchy vegetables makes Khanom Jeen Nam Ngiao a satisfying dish that perfectly represents Northern Thai cuisine.
6. Miang Kham (Leaf Wrapped Bites)
It is a delightful Thai appetiser that delivers a burst of flavours and textures in every bite-sized wrap. To start, it features fresh ingredients like diced ginger, shallots, chillies, roasted peanuts, and dried shrimp, all nestled inside a cha plu (wild pepper) leaf. This leaf holds everything together and is topped with a sauce made from toasted coconut, lemongrass, galangal, and palm sugar, which adds a sweet, savoury, and slightly tangy touch. As you bite into it, the crisp leaf, crunchy fillings, and creamy sauce create a perfect balance of sweet, sour, spicy, and salty flavors. Overall, Miang Kham offers a single, delightful mouthful that showcases the vibrant and diverse tastes of Thai cuisine.
7. Kaeng Khanun (Unripe Jackfruit Curry)
Kaeng Khanun, or unripe jackfruit curry, is a unique and flavourful dish that showcases Northern Thailand’s culinary heritage. This curry features young, tender jackfruit, which absorbs flavours well and has a texture similar to pulled pork when cooked. It often includes tender pieces of pork, like baby back ribs, and juicy cherry tomatoes that add a refreshing burst of acidity. The curry is seasoned with spices such as turmeric and tamarind, giving it a distinctive hot and sour flavor. Traditionally prepared for special occasions like weddings and festivals, Kaeng Khanun symbolises good fortune and prosperity. Served with steamed or sticky rice, this dish offers a delicious introduction to the rich flavours of Northern Thai cuisine, making it a must-try for those eager to explore regional specialities.
8. Laab (Spicy Salad)
Laab, or Larb, is a vibrant Thai salad that’s popular in both Northern Thai and Laotian cuisine. This dish typically features minced meat—such as pork, chicken, or beef—offering a bold, spicy kick with refreshing herbs. First, the meat is cooked and then mixed with fresh ingredients like finely chopped shallots, mint, cilantro, and green onions. Lime juice and fish sauce add a tangy, savoury dressing. Toasted rice powder is a key ingredient, adding a nutty flavour and a slight crunch. Laab is usually served at room temperature or chilled, alongside sticky rice and fresh vegetables like lettuce or cucumbers. This combination of flavours and textures makes Laab a perfect choice for those wanting to experience the dynamic tastes of Thai cuisine, especially on warm days.
9. Kaeng Khae (Vegetable Curry)
Kaeng Khae is a unique and flavourful vegetable curry dish that originates from Northern Thailand. Unlike many Thai curries, it does not contain coconut milk, allowing the fresh, herbal flavours of the vegetables to stand out. The curry is made with a variety of local greens and herbs, such as pepper vine leaves, ivy gourd, cha-om (Acacia pennata), and the flower buds of the silk cotton tree. These ingredients cook in a savoury broth seasoned with galangal, lemongrass, chillies, and either fish sauce or shrimp paste. The result is a curry with a complex, slightly bitter taste balanced by the natural sweetness of the vegetables. Served with steamed sticky rice, Kaeng Khae offers a delightful contrast and a great introduction to Northern Thai cuisine. Whether you’re vegetarian or just curious about regional flavours, this dish is a satisfying choice.
10. App Mu (Pork Jerky)
App Mu, or Northern Thai pork jerky, is a tasty snack that highlights the region’s unique flavors. This jerky is made by marinating pork belly or shoulder in a mix of fish sauce, palm sugar, garlic, and spices, then slowly smoking or sun-drying it to achieve a chewy texture. The result is a salty, slightly sweet, and intensely flavourful treat. It pairs wonderfully with sticky rice and spicy chilli dips like Nam Phrik oom. Popular at local markets, App Mu is a favourite street food and snack in Northern Thailand. Its bold taste and satisfying texture make it a must-try for anyone wanting to explore Northern Thai cuisine. App Mu is a great introduction to the region’s savoury delights, whether you love jerky or just want to try something new.
11. Krabong (Fried Vegetable Snack)
Krabong is a delightful, crunchy snack that highlights the vibrant flavours of Northern Thai cuisine. This deep-fried treat is made by coating slices of vegetables, such as pumpkin, papaya, or banana blossom, in a spicy tempura-style batter. The batter is a mixture of rice flour, coconut milk, curry paste, salt, and sugar, which creates a crispy coating that seals in the natural sweetness of the vegetables. After frying until golden brown, Krabong delivers a satisfying crunch in every bite. Often served with a tangy dipping sauce made from Thai sweet chilli sauce, crushed peanuts, and lime juice, it offers a perfect contrast to the savoury fried veggies. Krabong is a popular street food in Northern Thailand, enjoyed by locals and tourists alike as a quick snack or appetizer. Its bold flavours and appealing crunch make it a must-try for those exploring the region’s diverse culinary offerings.
12. Nam Phrik Noom (Roasted Green Chili Dip)
Nam Phrik Noom is a favourite Northern Thai roasted green chilli dip that captures the region’s vibrant avors. This dip is made by charring long green chillies, garlic, and shallots over an open flame or grill until they are blackened and fragrant, which enhances their natural sweetness and adds a smoky depth to the flavour. After roasting, combine the ingredients in a mortar and pestle to make a chunky, spicy, and savoury dip.
Nam Phrik Noom is typically served with fresh vegetables like cucumbers, long beans, and Thai eggplants, along with sticky rice and crispy pork rinds. It’s also great with grilled meats or as a sauce for various dishes. adaptable dip is a Northern Thai culinary classic, perfect for anyone eager to explore the region’s rich flavours.
13. Khao Kan Chin (Steamed Pork Blood Rice)
Khao Kan Chin is a distinctive dish from Northern Thailand that highlights the region’s culinary traditions. This steamed rice pudding is made by mixing cooked jasmine rice with minced pork and pork blood, seasoned with salt, sugar, garlic, and shallots. The mixture is then wrapped in banana leaves and steamed until fragrant and tender. The result is a savoury, slightly sweet, and fragrant dish that pairs well with crispy fried garlic, dried chillies, and fresh cucumber slices. Often served as a snack or appetiser, Khao Kan Chin can also be enjoyed as part of a larger meal. Though the pork blood may seem unusual, it adds a rich, umami flavour and smooth texture. For those exploring Northern Thai cuisine, Khao Kan Chin offers a memorable and unique culinary experience.
14. Moo Yor (Northern Thai Pork Sausage)
Moo Yor is a favourite in Northern Thai cuisine and reflects the region’s unique lavors. This mild, white sausage is made from boiled or steamed pork, giving it a slightly rubbery texture. While it’s not spicy, Moo Yor is versatile and used in many dishes. You can deep-fry it for a crispy snack or add it to spicy salads like Yum Moo Yor, which has a tangy mix of chillies, fish sauce, lime, and coriander. Moo Yor also goes well with sticky rice and various dips, making it a comforting choice. If you want to explore Northern Thai food, Moo Yor is a simple but flavourful option to try.
15. Nam Tok Moo (Grilled Thai pork salad)
Nam Tok Moo, or Grilled Thai Pork Salad, is a vibrant dish from Thailand’s northeast region. It features tender slices of grilled pork marinated in a mix of oyster sauce, fish sauce, lime juice, and spices, giving it a savoury and tangy flavour. After grilling, the pork is sliced and combined with fresh herbs like mint and cilantro, along with shallots and green onions, creating a refreshing contrast to the rich meat. Toasted rice powder adds a delightful crunch and nutty flavour to the salad. Served with a zesty dressing made from lime juice, fish sauce, and chilli flakes, Nam Tok Moo lets you adjust the heat to your taste. Typically enjoyed with sticky rice or fresh vegetables, this dish captures the essence of Thai flavours, and its name, meaning “waterfall,” highlights the juicy and succulent nature of the grilled pork.
Northern Thai cuisine offers a captivating journey through the region’s rich traditions and vibrant flavors. Each dish reflects the unique history and culinary skills of Northern Thailand, combining bold spices and fresh ingredients. Exploring these flavors provides a taste of the region’s depth and diversity, making it a memorable culinary adventure. Enjoy the experience and savor the essence of Northern Thai food.