Kanchanaburi’s food follows its rivers and forests: freshwater fish, jungle vegetables and bamboo shoots, plus Mon and Karen cooking near the Myanmar border. Eating on a raft restaurant over the River Kwai is part of the experience.
What to eat in Kanchanaburi
River fish
Steamed, fried or in spicy soup at riverside and raft restaurants. Map
Sup no mai
A spicy salad of shredded bamboo shoots with herbs and toasted rice.
Jungle curries
Coconut-free curries with forest vegetables.
Mon dishes in Sangkhla Buri
Mon-style khanom jeen noodles and curries at the morning market near the Mon Bridge. Map
Grilled snacks
Grilled pork, sausages and sticky rice at the evening market.
Markets and where to eat
- Kanchanaburi night market – near the railway station in town. Map
- Raft restaurants – along the River Kwai near the bridge.
- Sangkhla Buri morning market – Mon food early in the day.
Kanchanaburi has no MICHELIN-listed restaurants. Opening times change often, so check before you go.
On King Naresuan’s trail
Kanchanaburi was the western gateway for Burmese armies, and several of King Naresuan’s wars were fought along these routes. Read the full stories with maps: the declaration of independence · Phraya Phasim Campaign 1584 · Mingyi Swa’s First Invasion, 1590 · The Elephant Duel War at Nong Sarai, 1593.
Food at festivals
The River Kwai Bridge festival, usually held around late November to early December, brings food stalls to the bridge area; dates vary. See our Kanchanaburi travel guide.
FAQ
Where should I eat by the river?
At raft restaurants near the River Kwai Bridge.
What is sup no mai?
A spicy bamboo-shoot salad.
Where can I try Mon food?
At the Sangkhla Buri morning market.
Is it a day trip from Bangkok?
Possible, but two days lets you reach the waterfalls and Sangkhla Buri.
More to read
- Kanchanaburi travel guide
- Kanchanaburi: waterfalls and river life
- Suphan Buri food guide
- Ratchaburi food guide
Cover photo: ThaiRiverKwaiJungleRafts.jpg · Ziegler175 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
