Kamphaeng Phet’s food is the simple, satisfying cooking of the lower north and central plains: noodle soups, curries over rice, river fish and market snacks. Its star ingredient is the kluai khai, a small, sweet “egg banana” grown widely in the province and celebrated with its own festival. Use this guide with our things to do in Kamphaeng Phet.
Dishes and snacks to try
Kluai khai
Small, thin-skinned bananas with dense, sweet flesh. Eat them fresh, grilled, or in desserts. Look for bunches at markets and roadside stalls.
Kluai khai snacks
Sun-dried bananas, crispy banana chips and syrup-cooked bananas make classic souvenirs.
Kluai buat chi
Bananas simmered in sweet, slightly salty coconut milk; a homely dessert where kluai khai shines.
Noodle soups
Pork and fish-ball noodles with a sweet-sour edge, similar to the neighbouring Sukhothai style, are the everyday lunch.
Khao kaeng
Curry-over-rice shops with trays of curries, stir-fries and soups; point at what you want.
River fish
Fish from the Ping River, fried, steamed with lime or in sour curry, at riverside restaurants.
Khanom jeen
Fresh rice noodles with fish curry, green curry or nam prik sauce and a basket of vegetables.
Market snacks
Grilled pork skewers, sticky rice, Thai desserts and fruit are cheap and plentiful at the morning and evening markets.
Markets
- Nakhon Chum market and old street: local breakfast and snacks across the river, and occasional cultural night markets Map.
- Kamphaeng Phet town market: fresh produce, kluai khai and ready-to-eat food Map.
- Evening and night markets: grilled food, noodles and desserts near the town centre and riverside Map.
- Khlong Lan roadside stalls: fruit, bananas and snacks on the way to the national park Map.
Where to eat
Kamphaeng Phet is not covered by the MICHELIN Guide. The best meals are at busy noodle shops, khao kaeng stalls and riverside restaurants. Follow the crowds at lunchtime, and use map searches for current places. Opening hours change, so check before you go.
Festival food
At the Kluai Khai Festival around September, alongside Sart Thai, stalls sell bananas in every form, and families make krayasart, a sticky sweet of rice, nuts and sesame, for the merit-making. See dates in our Kamphaeng Phet travel guide.
Tips
- Buy bananas that are just ripe if you’re carrying them home; they bruise easily.
- Markets start early; go before 9am for the best choice.
- Carry cash; small shops rarely take cards.
FAQ
What is Kamphaeng Phet famous for?
Kluai khai, the small sweet egg banana, and products made from it.
Are there MICHELIN restaurants?
No, Kamphaeng Phet is not in the MICHELIN Guide; local markets and noodle shops are the highlights.
When is the Kluai Khai Festival?
Usually around September with the Sart Thai festival; check exact dates with TAT.
What souvenirs should I buy?
Dried kluai khai, banana chips and krayasart.
Cover photo: Roti kluai khai chiang mai 01.jpg · Takeaway · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
