Phitsanulok’s food is easy-going, riverside and full of fun traditions. Where else can you eat noodles with your legs dangling over a river, or watch a cook fling stir-fried morning glory through the air to a waiter catching it on a plate? The province also produces Thailand’s best-known sun-dried bananas, and its markets and Thai-Chinese shophouses serve hearty breakfasts and late-night snacks. This guide covers the dishes to try, the best markets and how to fit food into a temple visit. For sights and routes, see our things to do in Phitsanulok guide.
- Must-try: Kuay tiew hoi kha (legs-dangling noodles) and phak bung loi fa (flying morning glory)
- Best for eating: The Nan River waterfront, night bazaar and morning markets
- Price level: Budget-friendly
- Michelin: Phitsanulok is not covered by the MICHELIN Guide; look for long-running local favourites
Dishes to try in Phitsanulok
1. Kuay tiew hoi kha
“Legs-dangling noodles” are served at riverside shops where customers sit on low platforms or steps with their legs hanging over the edge, a custom that started with people eating on boats and riverbanks. The noodles themselves are classic pork noodles; the setting is what makes them memorable.
2. Phak bung loi fa (flying morning glory)
Morning glory stir-fried over a fierce flame with garlic, chilli and soy bean paste, then tossed high through the air to a catcher with a plate. It is a show as much as a dish, often staged at the night bazaar and riverside restaurants.
3. Kluay tak (sun-dried bananas)
Sweet, chewy bananas dried in the sun, a famous product of Bang Krathum district. Look for plain, honey-coated and crispy versions as souvenirs.
4. Khanom jeen
Fresh rice noodles with curries such as nam ya and nam ngiao, served with a pile of vegetables and herbs at morning markets.
5. Boat noodles
Small bowls of rich, dark noodle soup with pork or beef, perfect for trying several at once.
6. Freshwater fish
The Nan River supplies fish served grilled, steamed with lime and chilli, or in spicy salads at floating and riverside restaurants.
7. Thai-Chinese breakfasts
Old coffee shops serve strong coffee, patongko (fried dough), rice porridge and dim sum-style snacks from early morning.
8. Northern-style dips and curries
As a gateway to the north, Phitsanulok kitchens offer chilli dips with fresh vegetables and herby northern curries alongside central Thai dishes.
Markets and night food
- Night bazaar on the Nan River: Food stalls and shops along the riverbank, the classic place to see flying morning glory and eat with a view. Map
- Morning markets in town: Local produce, khanom jeen, sweets and breakfast snacks. Map
- Bang Krathum sun-dried banana shops: Producers and souvenir shops along the main road south of the city. Map
Where to eat
Phitsanulok has no MICHELIN Guide coverage, so the best meals come from family-run noodle shops, the riverside and markets. Look for legs-dangling noodle shops along the Nan River, floating restaurants for a relaxed dinner and Thai-Chinese shophouses near the station for breakfast. Shops change often, so ask your hotel for current favourites and check opening hours before you go.
Food at Phitsanulok’s festivals
The Phra Buddha Chinnarat Fair around January–February turns Wat Yai and nearby streets into a giant temple fair with stalls selling snacks, sweets and local products. Longboat races and Loy Krathong on the Nan River also bring night markets to the waterfront. Plan your visit with our Phitsanulok travel guide, and read the Songkran etiquette guide if you come in April.
Frequently asked questions
What food is Phitsanulok famous for?
Legs-dangling noodles, flying morning glory and sun-dried bananas from Bang Krathum.
Where can I see flying morning glory?
Some restaurants at the night bazaar and along the river perform it, usually in the evening. Ask before ordering if you want to see the show.
What should I buy as a food souvenir?
Kluay tak (sun-dried bananas) in their many styles, available in town and along the road to Bang Krathum.
Are there Michelin restaurants in Phitsanulok?
No. The MICHELIN Guide does not currently cover Phitsanulok.
More food and travel guides
Cover photo: Nan River in Phitsanulok 1.jpg · Christophe95 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
