Introduction to ISAN FOOD in KHAO YAI NATIONAL PARK 🇹🇭 Isan series Ep.1

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Welcome to the first episode of my brand-new series, where I’ll be diving into the bold and exciting world of Isan cuisine before heading across the border to Laos!

We’re kicking things off in Pak Chong, right on the edge of Khao Yai National Park, at the famous Pen Laos Restaurant. Join me as I meet the incredible owner, Panchana ‘Tae’ Vatanasathien, who takes us on a mouthwatering journey through her favourite dishes:

🔥 Som Tum Korat – A local twist on Thailand’s iconic papaya salad.
🍜 Pad Mee Korat – Korat-style stir-fried noodles with a rich, tangy kick.
🍗 Gai Tom Nam Pla – Chicken boiled in fish sauce, tender and flavour-packed.
🌽 Sweetcorn Som Tum – A fresh and slightly sweet take on the classic.
🐔 Fried Chicken – Crispy, golden goodness.
🍄 Gaeng Het – A light and earthy mushroom soup.
🐟 Catfish Laab – A tangy, herb-packed minced fish salad.
🥑 Avocado Ice Cream – Made with local avocados for a sweet, creamy finish.

But it’s not just about the food! Tae also gave me a tour of the restaurant’s farm, where I saw how their chickens roam freely and even lay the eggs they use in their dishes. I tried to catch one myself… let’s just say it didn’t go as planned. 😂

This is just the start of an incredible journey through Isan and Laos. Next up, we’re heading to Korat, the heart of Isan, to explore even more amazing dishes and local food culture.

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My name’s Gary and I’ve been living in Bangkok for the past five plus years and travelling Thailand for over ten. I’m obsessed with Thai street food and it’s that obsession that led me to start this YouTube channel. I want to share my favourite hidden spots in Bangkok and the rest of Thailand so you can fall in love with authentic, local Thai food as much as I have!

If you love seeing off the beaten path, non-touristy, local life and authentic local life in Bangkok and Thailand then this is the channel for you. If go go bars on the Sukhumvit Road are more your thing (I’m not judging) then maybe not!

#IsanFood #thailandstreetfood #KhaoYai #ThaiFood #foodadventure

[jim.pearsall]

She’s lovely. So knowledgeable and friendly. 👏🏻👍🏻🙏🏻😊

[mariettathornton]

The soup looks yummy as well as the chicken 🐓 It’s great to have auntie explain everything about the dishes and so wonderful to see Finley & Helen with you! Thank you for sharing this video 😊

[hansabrahamsson]

Best food i the world! Love Isaan style!

[twinflowerfioretta]

"You know everything " this is the greatest compliment from this amazing master cook lady ! my respect for all the range of different fantastic tasty food she served, absolutely mouth watering !❤👍

[Kwippy]

They grow some very beautiful corn in that area. With the right cooking technique you can make the most amazing corn on the cob, or use in somtam.

[TheDufresnes]

The food there is so fresh looking! Haha I call the chickens running fast food! Great video as always!

[pannachawangkul]

Hi Gary, good to see you and the family are on the road together again. Can't wait for what you will find. Finley is adorable with the chickens!

[mjpenn]

Thank you Gary and team for bridging cultures. Just beautiful. And this from a farang in the US who looks forward to ordering more adventurously from a local "isan" thai restaurant. Bless the work you're doing to create connections. 🙏

[Markevans]

Another Green pin in my food map of Thailand 🇹🇭

[gchow]

This auntie is lovely and cool. Grilled chickens from Issan are the best. I like the spices and herbs that they use. The chicken species from that area is smaller which I like more. Another video that makes me drool. I miss Thailand.

[LaddeMytiss]

Great video and fun to hear everything get explained 😊

[eswillie]

Thanks, Gary. At last the Isan dishes. Brings me back to my time there. I can taste that som tam and also the larp. The pla ra is what I use for sauce nearly exclusively.

[Bestilllll]

I like that you asked if the fermented fish is called padek bc it is the same as pla ra. I think padek sounds more fun though hehe

[brucewayne]

Finley giving up on eating chickens, never 😋

[Kashif]

Great VDO 👍🏼 looking forward to the Isan vlogs. Thank you 👍🏼

[pauldorman]

You are in my home town Pak Chong “Gateway to Esan” welcome and enjoy the rest of you trip Garry 👍

[hisnameisvu]

Absolutely phenomenal work my brother, hope to see you next year my friend 😊

[enidseancsm]

Did she say she got a restaurant in bangkok
What a lovely lady great video

[TT_Thailand]

What a great video with Auntie. Like she said, you should open your own restaurant! Would be a hit 👍🏼

[bobbydewan]

WOW!!! That's looks so Delicious 😋