Saen Phan Northern Food Restaurant / แสนพัน อาหารเหนือ
Chiang Mai in Korat
95-97 Soi Sawairiang, Mukhamontri Rd., Korat; Tel. 044-241015, 081-5471516
Lot’s of people assume that Thai food consists of only Pad Thai, tomyam, chicken satay, and green papaya salad. They have no idea how much variety there is to Thai food. Each region has it’s own special dish. In Northern Thailand the main special dish is Khao Soi.
Saen Phan serves up a fantastic Khao Soi with either chicken or pork. Khao Soi is basically a kind of curry soup with yellow rice noodle that resemble fettucini noodles, which are actually cut by hand using scissors (khao soi means “cut rice”). Throw in a stewed piece of chicken or pork, add crunchy dried egg noodles, pickled cabbage and red onions wedges on top, and pour in a little coconut cream – viola! – you have a perfect Khao Soi for lunch. The flavors are more akin to an Indian-style curry, but still uniquely Thai.
There are lots of other Northern Thai dishes to choose from. Sai Uea is a slightly spicy Northern Thai sausage. Tam Khanun is a salad made from jack-fruit. And Nam Prick Ong is a spicy Northern Thai version of a pork bolognese, and is excellent served over rice.
They have other items that aren’t Northern Thai dishes as well, but if you’re heading there make sure you look at all the food set out in the front. Those are the Northern Specialty dishes. The prices are quite decent, and the inside of the restaurant opens up in the back to outdoor garden and indoor air-con seating.
The best time to go is for lunch and make sure to order the Khao Soi Piset, so you get a bigger bowl and an extra piece of chicken. They are located on the road the runs off Mittrapap at the traffic light between The Mall and Tesco Lotus.
Open Monday thru Saturday 9am – 5pm, closed on Sundays.
For directions and contact information check their facebook page.
แสนพัน อาหารเหนือ
About This Place
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Chiang Khan – Authentic Riverside Slow-Life Town. A small, peaceful town in Loei province located on the bank of the Mekong River with Laos visible across the water. Famous for its wooden shophouse architecture. Popular spot for locals and expatriates in the region.
Have questions about living or working in Thailand? Contact Sebastien Brousseau. French-native Canadian, based in Asia since 2002. Traveler and foodie.
Useful Legal Resources for Expats in Thailand
- Usufruct Agreement in Thailand
- Divorce in Thailand: Complete Guide
- Social Security in Thailand for Expats
- Same-Sex Marriage in Thailand
Frequently Asked Questions
What is northern Thai food and how does it differ from central Thai food?
Northern Thai (Lanna) cuisine is distinct from central Thai in several key ways: it uses more dried spices and bitter flavours, is less coconut-milk-heavy than central Thai curries, relies heavily on dipping sauces and raw vegetables, and includes unique dishes like nam prik noom (green chili dip), sai oua (herbed sausage), and kaeng hung lay (Burmese-influenced pork belly curry with ginger and tamarind).
Is northern Thai food spicy?
Northern Thai food varies — some dishes are fiercely spicy (nam prik noom) while others are mild (khao soi with its rich, mellow curry). In general, northern Thai cuisine is considered less incendiary than Isan cuisine (northeastern Thai), which is known for generous use of fresh chilies and fermented fish sauce.
Why is there a northern Thai restaurant in Korat (Isan)?
Thailand’s internal migration patterns bring people from all regions to Korat, which is a growing industrial and commercial center. Restaurants specializing in regional cuisine from other parts of Thailand — northern, southern, central — are found in larger Thai provincial cities catering to both migrant communities and curious locals.
What northern Thai dishes are considered must-try?
The essential northern Thai menu: Khao Soi (the coconut curry noodle soup, the signature dish), Sai Oua (herbed pork sausage with lemongrass and kaffir lime), Nam Prik Noom (roasted green chili and eggplant dip with sticky rice and vegetables), Larb Khua (dry-fried minced pork with spices), and Khan Tok dinner (traditional set meal on a raised lacquered tray).
