As a melting
pot for various cultures and peoples including Thai, Lao, Burmese,
Mon, and Chinese, one could only expect Lanna cuisine to be a
divine blend of tastes and spices to deliver a truly unique flavor.
Like the Northeasterners (Isarn), the Northern Thai prefer sticky
rice over steamed rice, dipping it into one of the tantalizing
soups and sauces made from herbs, fruits, and vegetable grown
and picked in the local hills and forests.
Authentic Lanna cuisine finds a fine balance in combining the
right amount of vegetables, herbs, and meats, though pure vegan
or vegetarian dishes are quite common. While pork and poultry
are abundant as elsewhere in Thailand, the preferred meat is
beef, and if you fancy, Water buffalo beef is served as a delicacy,
served in mouth watering stew, or a local style, raw beef salad.
