🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
A lot of people assume real northern Thai food means driving all the way to Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai, but Uttaradit has had northern settlers putting down roots for a long time — especially around Laplae, where the food culture blends Lanna with Sukhothai. That means you can try khao soi, nam ngiao, and local spreads here without the long drive. The list below is ordered by how easy each spot is to reach and what locals say, not by who's tastier — the ones at the bottom aren't any worse.
Northern Thai restaurants in Uttaradit where locals go
Lam Lam Laplae (100-Year-Old House)
A local restaurant set under a century-old wooden house in central Laplae. The spread follows recipes handed down through generations, blending Sukhothai and Lanna cooking. Standouts are kai pam (steamed egg custard), tam khanun (jackfruit salad), poo ong (crab fat), Laplae chicken khao soi, and the khantoke set. Shady and relaxed — a good spot for a proper meal while you're exploring Laplae.
Jao Mueang Nam Ngiao Khao Soi
A tucked-away spot down a soi that people track down for its proper Chiang Rai recipes. The khao soi has a rich, balanced coconut broth, and the nam ngiao comes that orange color with a gentle, well-judged sourness. Prices are easy, and plenty of folks happily drive a bit out of town just to eat here.
Khao Soi Na Wat
An in-town spot that both locals and people passing through stop at, in a comfortable air-conditioned room. The khao soi broth is loaded with curry paste and topped with crispy fried noodles, and there's nam ngiao with pork blood and cabbage to switch things up. Prices are reasonable and it's easy to catch since it's open through to evening.
Larb Him Na
A northern-meets-Isan spot with rice-field views and a steady cool breeze — easy to linger all day. The headliners are northern larb, larb khua, and grilled dishes to eat with sticky rice. Fresh ingredients, bold homestyle flavors, friendly prices. Great for groups or family.
Ruean Phi Ruean Nong
A khanom jeen nam ya spot in a wooden house that Uttaradit locals call a regular. The star is the rich tako-fish nam ya, but you can order nam ngiao too. Another fast-rising dish is the crispy pork salad — surprisingly moreish.
Khrua Nam Ya Pla Phao
A spot on the way into town where lots of people stop for khanom jeen. Grilled-fish nam ya is the lead, but if you want the northern side there's khanom jeen nam ngiao at an easy price. The fresh-vegetable sides come piled high, and it's an easy stop if you're driving past.
Salung Luang
A genuine northern Thai spot in the Ko Klang area serving both clear-broth khanom jeen and nam ngiao, at easy, friendly prices. Locals say clear-broth khanom jeen like this is hard to find in Uttaradit, so people like dropping in for northern food without paying much.
Nam Ngiao Chiang Rai Phichai
If you swing through Phichai district, this is the Chiang Rai-style khanom jeen nam ngiao locals eat regularly. The nam ngiao is balanced and not too sour, and you can order a nam ngiao clear soup on the side if you want more meat. Open morning to afternoon — good for breakfast or lunch.
Before you go
A lot of the khao soi and nam ngiao spots open in the morning and sell out by afternoon. If you're eyeing Jao Mueang or Nam Ngiao Phichai, get there before 3pm to be safe — and note the two close on different days (Jao Mueang on Mondays, Phichai on Sundays). Check the day before you set out so you don't show up to a locked door.
Want to taste deeper? Try a Uttaradit food tour or cooking class
Half a day with a local who knows the lanes — or cooking a dish yourself — teaches you more than just eating. Book ahead on Klook or GetYourGuide.
Northern dishes worth trying in Uttaradit
If you're not sure where to start, these are the dishes Uttaradit does well and that you'll find at the spots listed above. Work through them one by one and the local take on northern flavors starts to come into focus.
- Khao soi — egg noodles in a coconut-curry broth made with northern curry paste, topped with crispy fried noodles and eaten with pickled greens and shallots. Most khao soi in Uttaradit follows the Chiang Rai recipe, so the broth is balanced and not overly sweet.
- Nam ngiao (khanom jeen nam ngiao) — an orange broth from dried red kapok flowers and tomatoes, with pork blood and bones, gently sour, ladled over khanom jeen noodles and eaten with crispy pork and fresh vegetables. It's a hugely popular breakfast here.
- Hang lei curry — a Lanna-style pork belly curry that's savory, sweet, and rich, made with ginger and pickled garlic. You'll find it at northern-spread spots like Lam Lam Laplae, and it's perfect with sticky rice.
- Sai ua + crispy pork — grilled herb sausage and crunchy crispy pork, eaten as a snack or with sticky rice. They also do a crispy pork salad here that tosses the pork with salad seasoning — more sour, spicy, and addictive than you'd expect.
- Northern larb — larb khua with fragrant spices, no fermented fish sauce like the Isan version, with a slight bitter note from the bile, eaten with fresh vegetables and sticky rice. Larb Him Na does this style well.
Laplae — where northern food runs deepest
If you've got half a day, drive into Laplae district, about 8 km from town. This is where the province's northern food culture runs deepest — old-spread restaurants, the Laplae food street, and local specialties that are hard to find elsewhere. Wander and graze and you'll come across unusual things you rarely see in bigger towns.
Lam Lam Laplae
An old northern spread in a century-old wooden house — good for a proper meal. Book a table on weekends, since it gets busy.
Laplae food street
Graze your way down the street, sampling local dishes one stall at a time — savory, sweet, and regional souvenirs. Best from morning to mid-morning.
Straight talk
Northern food in Uttaradit doesn't have the nationally famous names Chiang Mai does. Most spots are humble, local-run places — the charm is in the honesty and prices that are lighter than tourist towns. If you come expecting fancy restaurants you may be let down, but if you want real northern food the way locals eat it, this place does it well.
Plan a full eat-and-explore trip through Uttaradit
See the Uttaradit travel guide →