About food from Isan (Isaan อีสาน), Thailand

Farm fresh and traditional labour-intense preparation - in general Isan (Isaan อีสาน), Thai food is lighter than standard Thai - especially the curries. Soups are clear and without a coconut base, and most dishes are traditionally spicier - Thai red chilli (crushed, dried or made into pastes).

Fermented fish (Pla Ra) is also a key player in Isan food. Pla Ra is made from fresh water fish which are cleaned with salt water and de-scaled before adding rice bran and salt and left to ferment for one year.