Lopburi’s food is a story of many communities. Over centuries the province has been home to Mon, Lao Puan and Thai Boeng people, each bringing their own curries, seasonings and preserving techniques. The result is a quietly fascinating food scene: salted eggs coated in white clay, sour curries made with pickled bamboo shoots, pork rib soup soured with young tamarind leaves and a dark Thai Boeng spice paste you will not find elsewhere. Add old-town noodle shops and lively markets, and Lopburi rewards hungry travellers. For sights and routes, see our things to do in Lopburi guide.
- Must-try: Salted eggs stir-fried with chilli paste and crispy catfish
- Best for eating: Old town markets, Talat Samon and community food centres
- Price level: Budget-friendly
- Michelin: Lopburi is not covered by the MICHELIN Guide restaurant selection, so seek out markets and local cooks
Dishes to try in Lopburi
1. Khai khem phat phrik khing
Lopburi salted eggs, traditionally coated in local white clay (din so pong), stir-fried with red chilli paste, crispy shredded catfish, long beans and kaffir lime leaves. Salty, crunchy and fragrant.
2. Lopburi salted eggs
Eaten on their own with rice porridge or in salads, the clay-cured eggs make popular souvenirs. Some villages let you try making them.
3. Kaeng som Puan
A sour curry from the Lao Puan community, flavoured with fermented fish and pickled bamboo shoots. Bold, sour and deeply savoury.
4. Kaeng som lai phak pot
A Mon dish of water hyacinth stems cooked in a tamarind-sour curry with minced fish, a clever use of a plant that fills local waterways.
5. Tom kraduk mu bai makham
A Thai Boeng soup of stewed pork ribs soured with young tamarind leaves and seasoned with khrueang dam, a dark paste of dried chilli, lemongrass, garlic, galangal and aromatic spices.
6. Freshwater fish dishes
With the Lopburi and Pa Sak rivers nearby, restaurants serve grilled fish, spicy fish salads and fish curries; lakeside spots near Pa Sak Jolasid Dam are popular at weekends.
7. Noodles in the old town
Shophouse noodle stalls around the old town serve pork and beef noodles, boat noodles and khanom jeen for quick lunches between sights.
8. Thai desserts and local snacks
Markets sell coconut sweets, sticky rice treats, crispy rice crackers and seasonal fruit; look out for snacks made with local salted egg yolk.
Markets and food centres
- Talat Samon (Lawo Mon market): A Mon-style market with food, crafts and shows, open on the first weekend of each month from mid-afternoon into the evening. Map
- Old town evening stalls: Food stalls near the station and Phra Prang Sam Yot area serve noodles, grilled snacks and desserts. Map
- Thai Boeng Ban Khok Salung Museum: A community museum where visitors can learn about Thai Boeng culture and try dishes cooked with khrueang dam (arrange in advance). Map
- Salted-egg learning centres: Community centres in the province show how clay-cured eggs are made. Map
Where to eat
Lopburi has few famous-name restaurants and no MICHELIN Guide listings, so the best meals tend to come from markets, community kitchens and family-run shophouses. Ask your hotel or local guide which spots serve Thai Boeng and Mon dishes, and look for restaurants near Pa Sak Jolasid Dam if you are driving out to the sunflower fields. Opening hours change often, so check before you go.
Food at Lopburi’s festivals
The King Narai Reign Fair in February features an Ayutthaya-era market where vendors in period costume sell traditional snacks and dishes, and visitors are encouraged to dress up too. In late November, the Monkey Buffet Festival is famous for its feast for the monkeys rather than for people, but the surrounding streets fill with food stalls. Combine them with our Lopburi travel guide, and read the Songkran etiquette guide if you visit in April.
Frequently asked questions
What is Lopburi famous for food-wise?
Clay-cured salted eggs and community dishes from the Mon, Lao Puan and Thai Boeng peoples, such as sour curries and pork rib soup with young tamarind leaves.
What is khrueang dam?
A dark seasoning paste of the Thai Boeng community, made from dried chillies, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, garlic, galangal and aromatic spices.
Are there Michelin restaurants in Lopburi?
No. The MICHELIN Guide restaurant selection does not cover Lopburi, but the guide has highlighted its local food culture.
Is Lopburi street food safe to eat near the monkeys?
Yes, but eat away from monkey areas and keep food covered; monkeys may grab snacks from your hands.
More food and travel guides
Cover photo: Night Market Scene – Lop Buri – Thailand (34218121613).jpg · Adam Jones from Kelowna, BC, Canada · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
