Places to Eat in Udon Thani
Night markets and food stalls are scattered everywhere in Udon Thani and wherever you’re staying in town there will be so many options around you that it’s virtually impossible not getting that catchy street food fever. Thus some of the most genuine, tastiest and cheapest food in Udon Thani can be found right in the streets – so make sure you don’t leave Udon Thani before trying it.
What to eat
Taking into consideration that Udon Thani is one of the largest and most important centres in the Isaan region, trying the regional cuisine is a must. Different variation of papaya salad, lab moo (minced pork salad), hot and sour soup, sticky rice can be found everywhere in town. Don’t overlook the grilled chicken (gai yang) because it is not the regular one you can find everywhere else in Thailand; thanks to its marinade, the flavour the chicken gets is unique and fabulous.
Markets and street food
One of the biggest food markets, the Centerpoint Market, is very conveniently located close to the area where the majority of travellers decide to stay (Tongyai Rd, open daily from 5pm till 10pm). There you will have so many options of what to eat that you’ll probably come back to your guesthouse the next day only. All the traditional Thai dishes and Isaan specialties can be found and everything is super cheap (starting afromt THB25).
For something different try the Vietnamese pork sausages (naem neaun) or, if you’re brave enough, one of the many fried insects.
BBQ Restaurants – Mu Ka Ta
Very popular in Udon Thani are the BBQ and buffet places where you can cook your own choice of meat, seafood and vegetables in a pot at the centre of the table. You normally also have a huge variety of ready to eat dishes at the buffet where you can have an unlimited number of helpings as long as you don’t leave too much on your plate.
These restaurants are called Mu Ka Ta abn there are many places like this in town and they all offer the same options at basically the same prices: expect to pay THB250 for barbecue, buffet and drinks included (not alcohol).
Freshwater fish
Udon Thani is also known for serving some of the best freshwater fish in the country. Because of the many farms located in the province, you can be sure that the fish is extremely fresh and most of the time will be delivered to the restaurant still alive (some restaurants actually have tanks where you can choose your fish before sitting at the table).
One of the best restaurants in town to taste the fish is Taw Baw Pla Pao (Moo Ban Sinchaithani, Thanon Asawamit Banluam, open every day from 9.30am till 6pm). It’s more of a lunch place and it’s not exactly near to the city centre, but if you love freshwater fish try to find a way to fit it in your schedule and you’ll have one of the most spectacular meals in your life.
The only fish they have is tilapia and they cook it in so many different ways that you would need a month to try everything. To keep it simple try the pla pao (salt-crusted roasted fish) as a main course; it’s a whole fish that can be easily shared between 3 or 4 people. They usually serve it with a delicious lemongrass sauce. As a side you can have one of the many papaya salad variations (it pairs perfectly with the tilapia), but be mindful of the level of spiciness; if you don’t want it too hot, tell the staff to make it pet nit noi. If after that you’re still not full, try a laab pla, a fish version of the minced meat salad.
The restaurant is absolutely no-frills and extremely affordable; most of the dishes will be THB50/THB80 and the whole fish is THB200. To get there you’ll need a taxi since it’s a bit out of town on the way to the airport.
