Korat sits where central Thai and Isan cooking meet, so a single day can take you from fiery som tam and grilled chicken to Chinese-Thai noodle shops and a cream-rich dessert at a Khao Yai dairy farm. The province has its own signature noodles, a strong street-food culture around the old city and, unusually for a provincial city, a growing list of restaurants recommended by the MICHELIN Guide. This guide covers dishes to try, the best markets and places to start. For sights and routes, see our things to do in Korat guide.
- Must-try dish: Pad mee Korat (Korat-style stir-fried rice noodles)
- Best areas: Korat old city, Phimai and Pak Chong (Khao Yai)
- Price level: Budget street food to mid-range restaurants
- Michelin: Nakhon Ratchasima is covered by the MICHELIN Guide Thailand, including Bib Gourmand picks
Dishes to try in Korat
1. Pad mee Korat
The province’s signature: thin rice noodles stir-fried with a tangy, slightly sweet sauce, bean sprouts, chives and often pork or egg. It is sold everywhere from markets to roadside stalls and often comes with som tam.
2. Mee Phimai
Phimai is known for its own rice noodles, eaten in soups or stir-fried. Try a bowl in town after visiting the Khmer sanctuary.
3. Mee kratok
A local noodle dish with a rich, savoury flavour; one long-running shop serving it has been listed in the MICHELIN Guide.
4. Som tam, kai yang and sticky rice
The Isan holy trinity: pounded green papaya salad, grilled chicken and sticky rice. Korat versions range from mild to explosive; ask for phet noi if you want less chilli.
5. Larb and nam tok
Minced meat salads seasoned with lime, fish sauce, toasted rice and herbs. Beef larb is a Korat favourite, often served with fresh vegetables.
6. Sai krok Isan
Sour fermented pork-and-rice sausages, grilled and eaten with fresh ginger, chilli and cabbage. Perfect market snacks.
7. Beef noodle soup
Korat has many beef noodle shops, some simmering their broth over charcoal for hours.
8. Khanom jeen
Fresh rice noodles with curries and a plate of vegetables, a popular breakfast or lunch in the city.
9. Dairy treats from Pak Chong
The cool hills around Khao Yai are dairy country. Farm shops and cafés sell fresh milk, yoghurt, ice cream and steaks from local ranches.
10. Khao Yai wines
Vineyards in the Khao Yai area produce some of Thailand’s best-known wines; tasting rooms often serve food pairings too.
Markets and night food
- Night markets in Korat old city: Evening stalls near the Thao Suranari Monument and around the old city serve noodles, grilled meats, desserts and Isan snacks. Map
- Pak Chong night market: A long strip of food stalls in Pak Chong town, popular with travellers heading to Khao Yai. Map
- Phimai market: Local produce, noodles and sweets in the small town near the sanctuary. Map
Michelin-recommended places to try
The MICHELIN Guide covers Nakhon Ratchasima, and its Bib Gourmand list recognises good-value local cooking. The places below have appeared in the guide; the list is updated every year, so check the latest MICHELIN Guide Thailand selection, and check opening hours before you go.
- Nub: A newer Bib Gourmand pick known for charcoal-simmered beef noodle soup. Map
- Piya Radna: A city-centre favourite for rat na and stir-fried noodles. Map
- Krua Suwimol: Thai home-style dishes such as crab stir-fried with curry paste. Map
- Kai Yang Saeng Thai: Peppery rotisserie chicken with sweet chilli sauce. Map
- Lab Somphit: Spicy beef larb and homemade beef sausage. Map
- Pa Pleung Mhee Kratok: A local noodle shop specialising in mee kratok. Map
- Krua Kampan Khao Yai and Penlaos (Mu Si, Pak Chong): convenient Thai and Isan-Lao cooking near the park. Map
Food at Korat’s festivals
The Thao Suranari Festival in late March and early April brings a huge fair with food stalls selling pad mee Korat, grilled meats and sweets. In November, the Phimai Festival includes a historic-style market with local dishes from the district. Plan your meals around these events with our Korat travel guide, and if you are visiting at Songkran, read the Songkran etiquette guide.
Frequently asked questions
What food is Korat famous for?
Pad mee Korat, Phimai noodles and Isan dishes such as som tam, kai yang and larb. Pak Chong is also known for dairy products.
Are there Michelin restaurants in Korat?
Yes. The MICHELIN Guide Thailand covers Nakhon Ratchasima, with several Bib Gourmand and recommended local restaurants.
How spicy is the food?
Isan dishes can be very hot. Ask for mai phet (not spicy) or phet noi (a little spicy) when ordering.
Where should I eat near Khao Yai?
Pak Chong town and the Thanarat Road area have night markets, Thai restaurants and farm cafés, all convenient for park visitors.
More food and travel guides
Cover photo: Thao Suranaree Statue Korat Thailand.JPG · Khaosaming · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
