Best Northeastern Thai Foods
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Kai yang is a poultry dish made by grilling or barbecuing a whole, marinated chicken. Although the dish has origins with the Lao people of northeastern Thailand, today it is extremely popular and commonly eaten throughout the country. The chicken is typically paired with sticky white rice, dipping sauces (sweet sauce in the Central region, sour sauce in the Northeast), and a vegetable salad called som tam.
It can be found at numerous street stalls all over Thailand. Kai yang differentiates itself from other grilled chicken dishes by its marinade, which is made from numerous ingredients such as soy sauce, ginger, white pepper, fish sauce, vinegar, hoisin sauce, and herbs such as cilantro, lemongrass, and garlic.
MOST ICONIC Kai yang
Sai krok Isan is a fermented sausage from the Isan region. It is made with a mixture of ground pork meat and fat, combined with garlic, sticky rice, salt, and pepper in a natural encasing. The sausage is then allowed to dry and ferment for several hours or sometimes even for up to 2-3 days in a blazing hot sun, a method that provides this sausage with its unique sourness.
Salty with a hint of sourness, these flavorful sausages are usually grilled or fried and served alongside raw chilis, fresh ginger slices, garlic, and fresh vegetables. Thais consume them for breakfast or buy them from local street carts as delicious snacks that are grilled on a stick and consumed on the go.
MOST ICONIC Sai krok Isan
Mu nam tok is a traditional grilled pork salad originating from the northeastern parts of the country. The salad is usually made with a combination of glutinous rice, pork, oil, shallots, mint, scallions, coriander, cabbage, and extra herbs. The pork is marinated in a mixture of sugar, fish sauce, and black pepper before it's grilled and thinly sliced.
The ingredients are tossed together, and the salad is then dressed with a combination of fish sauce, sugar, chili flakes, and lime juice.
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Also known as the crying tiger, this classic Thai dish consists of grilled slices of spicy marinated beef brisket that is served sided with sticky rice. The dish is typically accompanied with a spicy dipping sauce made with Thai chilis, garlic, fish sauce, lime juice, coriander seeds, and cane sugar.
Suea hong hai is traditionally associated with northeastern Thai regions, and it is best enjoyed hot off the grill.
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Goong ten, also known as "dancing shrimp", is a traditional and adventurous street food specialty from Northern Thailand.
It features small, live freshwater shrimp as its main ingredient, typically sourced from freshwater. The dish includes a mix of fresh herbs such as cilantro, mint, and lemongrass, along with Thai chili peppers for heat. Lime juice adds a tangy flavor, while fish sauce provides a salty, umami taste.
Best Northeastern Thai Food Producers
Rila Kakao is a chocolate producer located in Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand. They focus on producing high-quality chocolate made from locally sourced cocoa beans. The company emphasizes sustainable and ethical practices in their farming and production processes.
Additionally, Rila Kakao offers a variety of chocolate products, including bars and confections, catering to both local and international markets.
AWARDS
Academy of Chocolate - Gold
2023
International Chocolate Awards - Bronze
2023
Academy of Chocolate - Bronze
2024, 2023, 2022
BEST Rila Kakao Chocolates
Best Northeastern Thai Food Products
AWARDS
Academy of Chocolate - Gold
2023
Academy of Chocolate - Silver
2022
Academy of Chocolate - Bronze
2024
65% Ubon Chocolate Drink - Rila Kakao is a rich and indulgent chocolate beverage made with 65% premium dark chocolate sourced from the Ubon Ratchathani region in Thailand. This drink offers a deep, intense cocoa flavor with smooth, velvety texture, perfect for those who enjoy a bolder chocolate experience.
Ideal for sipping on its own or paired with your favorite snacks, it provides a delightful and satisfying treat. Whether enjoyed hot or cold, this chocolate drink brings the authentic taste of high-quality Thai cocoa to your cup.
AWARDS
Academy of Chocolate - Gold
2023
Academy of Chocolate - Bronze
2024
Academy of Chocolate - Silver
2024
70% Chanthaburi Chocolate Drink is a luxurious, rich beverage made with 70% premium dark chocolate sourced from the Chanthaburi region in Thailand. Known for its bold cocoa flavor, this drink delivers a smooth and velvety texture with deep, complex notes of fruit and earthiness.
Perfect for chocolate lovers who enjoy a more intense, refined drink, it can be enjoyed hot or cold for a truly indulgent experience. This chocolate drink offers a unique taste of high-quality Thai-grown cocoa, making it a delicious treat for any time of day.
AWARDS
Academy of Chocolate - Silver
2024
72% Prachuap Chocolate Drink is a rich and full-bodied beverage crafted from premium 72% dark chocolate sourced from the Prachuap region in Thailand. It offers a deep, intense cocoa flavor with subtle hints of tropical fruits and earthy undertones, characteristic of the region’s high-quality beans.
The smooth, velvety texture makes it an indulgent treat, whether enjoyed hot or cold. Perfect for those who appreciate the bold and complex flavors of dark chocolate, this drink provides a satisfying and unique chocolate experience.
AWARDS
Academy of Chocolate - Silver
2024
72% Prachuap Milk Chocolate Drink is a deliciously smooth beverage made with 72% dark chocolate and enriched with creamy milk, sourced from the Prachuap region in Thailand. The drink offers a perfect balance of the rich, bold cocoa flavor with the smooth sweetness of milk, creating a velvety and indulgent experience.
The chocolate’s subtle fruity and earthy notes complement the creaminess of the milk, providing a unique and satisfying chocolate drink. Ideal for those who enjoy a richer, more complex milk chocolate experience, it’s perfect for sipping anytime you crave a decadent treat.
AWARDS
Academy of Chocolate - Silver
2024
Rila Kakao's Chiang Mai Dark Milk 60% chocolate is crafted with an emphasis on high-quality ingredients. This chocolate product features a blend of dark and milk chocolate, achieving a 60% cocoa content, which balances the richness of dark chocolate with creamy milk undertones.
The cocoa is sourced from the Chiang Mai region in Thailand, known for its unique flavor profile attributed to the local terroir. The product often receives praise for its smooth texture and sophisticated flavor notes.
AWARDS
International Chocolate Awards - Bronze
2023
International Chocolate Awards - Silver
2024
The 82% Dark Chocolate - Nakhon Si Thammarat made by Rila Kakao is a premium chocolate product known for its rich and intense flavor. This dark chocolate bar is crafted using single-origin cacao sourced from Nakhon Si Thammarat, a province in southern Thailand renowned for its fertile soil and ideal climate conditions for cacao cultivation.
The high cacao content gives this chocolate a robust and complex profile with notes of fruit and earthiness. Each bar is meticulously crafted to ensure a smooth texture and a deep, satisfying taste experience that will delight any dark chocolate aficionado.
AWARDS
Academy of Chocolate - Bronze
2024, 2022
70% Dark Chocolate - Khonkaen is a rich and intense dark chocolate made with 70% premium cocoa sourced from the Khonkaen region in Thailand. This chocolate offers a deep, robust cocoa flavor, with subtle notes of fruitiness and earthiness that reflect the unique terroir of the region.
Its smooth texture and balanced bitterness make it a perfect choice for dark chocolate lovers who appreciate a more intense, full-bodied experience. Ideal for snacking, pairing with beverages, or using in baking, this chocolate brings a touch of Thai craftsmanship to your chocolate indulgence.
AWARDS
Academy of Chocolate - Bronze
2024
International Chocolate Awards - Silver
2024
82% Nakhon Si Milk Chocolate Drink is a bold and indulgent beverage made with 82% dark chocolate and combined with creamy milk, sourced from the Nakhon Si Thammarat region in Thailand. With its high cocoa content, this drink offers a rich, intense chocolate flavor, perfectly balanced by the smoothness of milk.
The chocolate’s deep, slightly bitter cocoa notes are complemented by the creamy texture, resulting in a luxurious and satisfying experience. Ideal for those who enjoy a more intense chocolate drink with a touch of milk, it's perfect for a decadent treat anytime.
AWARDS
Academy of Chocolate - Bronze
2024
Academy of Chocolate - Silver
2024
AWARDS
Academy of Chocolate - Bronze
2022
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