Taste of Northeast

North-eastern (Isan) food reflects the influence of neighbouring Laos in a number of dishes. Glutinous rice is the staple diet, and all food is highly seasoned. This is supplemented by a heady mixture of strong bitterness and saltiness, creating and excitingly forthright taste locally known as saeb.

Som Tam (green papaya salad), is one of north-eastern Thailand's favourite dishes that has became popular nationwide and even in Thai restaurants overseas. This is a spicy salad made from raw papaya, dried shrimp, crab, lime junice, garlic and chillies. For the genuine Isan version, Pla Ra, fermented fish, is also added to the dish.

Lap, is minced meat, chicken or pork, cooked in heavily seasoned dried chillies, lime juice and fish sauce.

Nam Tok, medium rare barbecued meat is cooked with spicy sauces, lime juice, fish sauce and dried chillies.

Kai Yang, or grilled chicken, is another dish that is always ordered after the formula of Lap, Nam Tok and Som Tam. Bathed with herbs and sauces, it is eaten with a sweet sauce used as a dip.
- Bangkok Tourist Bureau