Uploaded May 2023 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago

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It's the most common sight in Bangkok- a city where more than 10,000 vendors sell their own variations of a regional cuisine known as Isaan food. But just a couple of generations ago, this didn't exist at all in the capital. So what is Isaan food? Where does it come from and what are the key flavors? And after a few decades stewing in Bangkok's melting pot, what does the future hold for this humble and incredible cuisine?

Special thanks to @theroamingcook and Chef Chalee Kader for serving as our guides to the dishes, ingredients, and tastes of Isaan.

Here are links to the restaurants visited in this video:

-Likhit Gai Yang: goo.gl/maps/7dCYtzquwBHynyTH7
-P'Pie Som Tam: goo.gl/maps/Gk48n6srcPrtvHnU7
-100 Mahaseth: goo.gl/maps/64JPxnSDXsjNZnaL7
-Rama IV Street Cart: goo.gl/maps/k1BUkeDJYY9DPSdu7
...and a few other favorites we showed clips of in this video but filmed at other times:
-Polo Fried Chicken (featured in our Best Day of Eating video): goo.gl/maps/zE4UWL6p5Mg9Gscr8
-Isaan Bang Kachao (featured in Mango Sticky Rice): goo.gl/maps/gGvnJGq97wzqbrLW8
-Kaengorm Maha Sarakham (featured in Lost Dishes): goo.gl/maps/GgDY1S3QABwnA47a8
-Pa Ni Charcoal Roasted Chicken (featured in Talad Phlu): goo.gl/maps/rWZQ8wMQHKXtqNuA7

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0:00 - Introduction
1:12 - Rajadamnern Stadium
3:08 - 1956
5:43 - Likhit Gai Yang
7:07 - The Early Days
8:51 - What is Isaan Food? With Gary Butler
12:47 - The Khorat Plateau
15:03 - Thai-Lao-Isaan
17:52 - Som Tam: Safety and Danger
20:22 - Adaptation
22:03 - Magic with Chef Chalee Kader
24:35 - Nose to Tail and Root to Fruit
27:02 - The Soul of Isaan

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Video Credits:

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FRENCH FIGHT BACK IN LAOS - 1953
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