Delicious Northern Thai food you have to eat in Thailand

PHOTO: Khao Soi by Huahom from Pixabay.

The cuisine of Thailand is diverse and special in each region. Some of Thailand’s most delicious dishes come from the northern part of the country. Set among mountain valleys with a cool climate, Northern Thai Food is highly influenced by Burmese cuisines. Additionally, it’s more subdued than Northeastern (Isaan) food. Below, we’ve compiled some of our favourite Northern Thai food.

1. Khao Soi (Curry Noodle Soup)

Khao soi is possibly the most popular Northern Thai food, and it should be on top of your list when trying Thai food. Mainly made of egg noodles and curry, the dish has tame flavours that will surely delight your taste buds. The base of the soup consists of a combination of coconut milk and red curry paste, making it slightly spicy. The soup is then served with egg noodles and a choice of meat and topped with chopped cilantro and crispy egg noodles. You can usually add lime, onion, pickled cabbage, and chilli to make the dish even more flavourful. The meat in Khao Soi can include pork, chicken, or beef, but pork is the most popular option among locals. There are also vegetarian variations of this spectacular dish.

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Delicious Northern Thai food you have to eat in Thailand | News by Thaiger
PHOTO: Khao Soi by Deankez from Pixabay.

2. Miang Kham (Leaf Wrapped Bites)

Miang Khan might be one of the unusual dishes you can only try in Northern Thailand. It’s the perfect introduction to the local flavours. The dish consists of customisable ingredients, which usually include shallot, ginger, chillies, coconut, lime bits, and peanuts. These ingredients are then wrapped in Cha Plu Leaves. Miang Kham is traditionally served in a do-it-yourself setting, so you can experiment with whatever ingredients you want to include. You can make it as sweet, sour, salty, and spicy as you want. Miang Kham is also available pre-wrapped in food markets.

Northern Thai Food
PHOTO: Miang Kham by naturepost from Pixabay.

3. Kaeng Hang Lei (Northern Pork Curry)

If you can’t really handle spicy food, Kaeng Hang Lei is the perfect Northern Thai food to try. It’s a stewed pork curry that consists of tender pork pieces. It’s possibly one of the least spicy curries in Thailand. Since it uses tomato as one of the main ingredients, it tastes slightly fruity. There are some Burmese influences in this dish as it includes ingredients like turmeric, ginger, tamarind, and garlic.

Northern Thai food
PHOTO: Kaeng Hang Lei from tasteatlas.com

4. Sai Oua (Northern Thai Sausage)

Often known as ‘Chiang Mai Sausage,’ Sai Oua is a Northern Thai version of sausage. The sausage combines pork with red curry paste, kaffir lime leaves, chillies, lemongrass, garlic, and galangal. Together, these ingredients created a delicious and slightly spicy sausage. These sausages are usually prepared in spiral lengths. They can be found in most local markets and street food stalls around Northern Thailand. You can eat it as is, as an appetiser, or with sticky rice.

Northern Thai food
PHOTO: Soi Oua from Wikimedia Commons.

5. Nam Phrik Noom & Nam Phrik Ong (Chilli Dips)

Nam phrik, or chilli dip, is a traditional sauce popular in Northern Thailand and an essential part of a meal in the region. There are many types of nam phrik in the country, but nam phrik noom and nam phrik ong are among the most popular. Nam phrik room consists of a combination of roasted green chilli, garlic, and onion. On the other hand, nam phrik one is made of red chilli, bird’s eye chilli, ground pork, and tomato. The dip is usually paired with Kap Moo (deep fried pork skins), fresh vegetables, and sticky rice.

Northern Thai food
PHOTO: Nam Phrik Ong By Takeaway – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0 from Wikimedia Commons.

6. Kaeng Khanun (Unripe Jackfruit Curry)

Kaeng khanun is a soup curry made with young unripe jackfruit, cherry tomatoes, betel leaves, dried chillies, and herbs. It’s one of the most vegetarian-friendly dishes in Northern Thailand, but meat lovers can request chunks of pork in the soup. Kaeng khanun is hot and spicy, similar to tom yum. Although it’s not as popular as tom yum, it’s an interesting dish to try if you’re looking for a different flavour experience in Northern Thailand.

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Northern Thai Food
PHOTO: Khaeng Khanun from yong.vn.

7. Larb Muang Moo (Spicy Meat Salad)

Larb Muang moo, also known simply as laab, is a Northern Thai-style spicy meat salad. The dish originates from Laos, where it is the national dish. There is a wide variety of laab in Northern Thailand. The salad is usually made of choices of meats like pork, chicken, beef, and duck. Mushrooms might also be used for vegan options. The meat or mushroom is then dressed in mint, dried chillies, palm sugar, lime, fish sauces, and herbs. You can enjoy it with sticky rice, rice noodles, or raw vegetables. Since the salad can be really spicy, it’s not recommended for those with a less fiery palate. Be aware that some laab in Northern Thailand may consist of raw pork, offal, and pork blood – so if you can’t stomach raw pork and blood, stick with the cooked option.

Delicious Northern Thai food you have to eat in Thailand | News by Thaiger
PHOTO: Laab by bns09 from Pixabay.

8. Khanom Jeen Nam Ngaio (Rice Noodles and Spicy Tomato Curry)

With a combination of rice noodles and spicy tomato curry, Khanom jeen nam ngiao offers a unique but delicious taste. In addition to the rice noodles and tomato curry, this delectable dish consists of chunks of pig blood, pork skin, and minced meatballs. It’s then garnished with beans, lime, and pickled cabbage.

Delicious Northern Thai food you have to eat in Thailand | News by Thaiger
PHOTO: Oleh Xufanc – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0 from Wikimedia Commons.

9. Kaeng Khae ( Curry of Northern Thai cuisine)

This curry is unique, thanks to Piper sarmentosum leaves, or ‘phak khae’. These leaves give it a distinctive flavour. The curry also includes a mix of vegetables and meat, often chicken. It’s a healthy choice, brimming with local herbs. Aromatic leaves with a mix of vegetables like eggplants and beans. It also features a hearty dose of protein, often chicken or fish. The curry’s base is a blend of traditional Thai spices, coconut milk, and fish sauce, creating a harmonious balance of spicy and savory.
Delicious Northern Thai food you have to eat in Thailand | News by Thaiger
PHOTO: Kaeng khae from phol food mafia
Even though Northern Thai food is less common than cuisines from other parts of Thailand, it is nonetheless something you should sample while you are there.

Looking for the best new places to eat in Bangkok? Here are the best new restaurants in Bangkok offering amazing gastronomic experiences, including Northern Thai food.

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Cita Catellya

Cita Catellya is a journalist and writer who covers a range of topics from medical and property to leisure and tourism. Her career began as a copywriter 5 years ago, where she worked with several brands in Indonesia to help them increase their online presence. Cita writes in both English and her native Bahasa Indonesia

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