Exploring Northern Thailand

Over the last few months, we have explored the wonders and beauty featured in Thailand’s culture and food. Now, we’ve decided to feature a region of Thailand and allow you, the reader, to experience some dishes native to that region offered throughout the month at Ka-Prow Bistro.

This May, we are taking a deeper look into the Northern region of Thailand. Set amongst rugged mountains, Northern Thailand is directly bordered by Burma and Laos. Isolated for many years by an unforgiving terrain, the people of this region created their own identity, culture and food influenced by mountainous, climate and bordering countries.

This climate is renowned for an abundance of agricultural growth including rich rice fields, teak forests and thousands of species of exotic orchids. Since agriculture uses up a lot of land in the north, there is much less room for urban sprawl and a greater need to rely on the community. Thus, northerners from cities such as Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai are generally thought of as relaxed and very friendly. Lending to this regions reputation of hospitality are the many celebrations and festivals that encourage all people, even visitors, to experience dancing, music and community meals.

Due to a long history of isolation from central and southern Thailand and the proximity to bordering countries, the cuisine of this area is distinctive and unique. With a mountainous terrain and lack of access to coconut trees, most curries of this region lack coconut milk found in most common, Thai curries.

Even one of the major staples of Asian cuisine, rice, differs in the North. Instead of softer boiled rice, northern regions eat a rice that is more glutinous and is better able to absorb sauces and liquids. Although the northern food varies from other styles of food in the country, one thing remains true to Thai food in general, the people's use of herbs and spices to enhance the flavor of the food and a combination of flavors that create a richly textured and well balanced meal.

This is a small look into the northern region of Thailand. If you would like to experience a taste of the Chiang Mai, come in to Ka-Prow Bistro and try some of the specials Chef Opart has put together for his customers. See you again next month when we explore the Central region of Thailand.