Eating Isan Food in Roi Et & Khon Kaen - best dishes & restaurants

Som Tum, sticky rice, grilled chicken, spicy soups, and pungent sauces – these are just some of the dishes that highlight Isan food. It is loved by both Thais and foreigners alike.

For those who don’t know, Isan is the northeast region of Thailand.

But there is so much more to this cuisine that meets the eyes and lips. Isan food comprises of so much depth and complex layer of flavors with ingredients like fresh chilies, peanuts, fermented fish, lime, cilantro, and other fresh herbs.

While on my trip to Roi Et and Khon Kaen, I tried as many unique dishes as possible. So, if you can, try some of these mouth-watering Isan food.

Roi Et

Roi Et is one of Thailand’s 77 provinces. It lies in the center of the northeast (Isan) region, known for its culture, food, and modest way of life. However, that doesn’t mean the city has not developed. It certainly has, with a myriad of restaurants, cafes, and markets.

บ้านอาหารเช้าคุณอ้อ (breakfast house)

After landing at the airport, we went straight to a local restaurant for breakfast. It is quite literally known as the breakfast house.

The shop is known for Asian breakfast dishes indigenous to the region. We ordered dumplings, noodle soups, and a popular egg dish called [insert name]. They also have porridge, sausages, and a sandwich that is similar to Bánh Mì. It would seem that there is a slight Vietnamese influence at this restaurant.

Afternoon Bar & Bistro

After breakfast and a bit of exploring, we stopped at a cute café with a garden and furry little rabbits. Afternoon bar and bistro is a cozy café, with wonderful vibes and design. You get a feeling of being at an urban farm or barn with a very homely atmosphere.

Naturally, the drinks and desserts are fantastic here. I don’t like coffee or sugary dishes but I could not help myself in front of these delicacies.

I’m beginning to enjoy orange-coffee brew quite a bit as of recently. That dark chocolate lava cake was also to die for – simply could not resist it! The hot bread with ice-cream, strawberries, and whip cream looked divine too, but I had to draw the line somewhere. Ok, ok, I snagged some of the strawberries and ice cream.

Google address: https://goo.gl/maps/pwRYLfrd9Kvwbsky8

Tumkratoei

If you are looking for a real treat of not only Isan food but also a good restaurant experience, there is probably no other than Tumkratoei. It is one of Roi Et’s most popular restaurants and is often packed throughout the day.

The food here is obviously outstanding even with a massive menu. Everything that was ordered for us by that Thailand Tourism team was just brilliant. Even when I was stuffed, I couldn’t help myself but to continue eating.

In particular, the hot & sour soup and fried fish stood out with their unique taste. I always enjoy trying new dishes. Staples like som tum, larb and grilled chicken were done exceptionally well too.

Interesting story – Kratoei means “ladyboy” in Thai. I know, I know, the politically correct word is transgender but that is what the Thais say.

Anyway, the restaurant is run by a Kratoei and as far as I know, all the chefs are Kratoei as well. This is awesome to see that they have opportunities like in Thailand. They are such a friendly bunch and not to mention, are extremely skillful chefs.

Google location: https://g.page/tumkratoeiRoiET?share

Rong Nue 101

You might think steak isn’t really Isan food, but actually, why not? If the beef is sourced regionally, which it is, then I think it is as Isan as it comes.

Rong Nue 101 is showing how Roi Et and Isan can be contemporary with its cuisine. The restaurant has a wide range of beef steaks, but we could not decide what to order. So we went for the steak platter featuring the best off the menu.

Google Map location: I can’t find it on Google map unfortunately.

Khon Kaen

Khon Kaen is another big province in northeast Thailand. It is quite developed like Bangkok but without the massive transportation infrastructure and tall buildings. Teeming with temples and cafes, the city balances cultural and modern life amazingly well.

Obviously there are hundreds of restaurants here where you can find Isan food. These are the few spots I visited.

แซบนัว ครัวอีสาน (Zab Nour)

I don’t think there was any other meal quite like this one at Zab Nour.

Not only do they have a large and extensive menu, but each dish was also uniquely delicious. It was a true show of the complexity and diversity of Isan food. We tried everything from smoky northern sausages and grilled meats to flavorsome soups and salads.

I don’t remember the names of any of the new dishes I tried but I am sure if you showed this picture to an Isan restaurant, they would know what they are.

Google Map location: https://goo.gl/maps/6LvstsEWcN9wfL9y9

ร้านอาหารชาวเขื่อน (Chao Khuen Restaurant)

Not far from the Ubolratana Dam viewpoint, is a small indoor-outdoor restaurant that does a wide range of Thai dishes. It is known for their seafood, which is caught from the nearby reservoir and fishing farms.

I forgot to take photos of most of the dishes here since I was so hungry but did manage to capture a few. One was of a spicy-sour fish soup, which was mouth-wateringly excellent. The other was of this barbeque giant shrimps topped with seafood sauce.

Google location: https://goo.gl/maps/ZDbYMy48nyouY2kM6

I admit that not all the dishes were of Isan origin or style, but they are still part of the everyday life of the local people. It’s also part of my experience on this trip.

So which dishes have you tried or will try next?