Page 209 - เธญเธฒเธซเธฒเธฃเน„เธ—เธข

Northern Region Cuisine

The northern region is noted for being a historical land with a prosperous past. The land
is surrounded by mountains resulting in a beautiful landscape. The cold weather and the lush
green forest is the centre of various cultures. The beautiful culture and tradition have been long
established among the northern people. Their food, consumed since the olden days, still uses, for
preparation, mostly vegetables grown along the mountain and naturally grown ones. In the north,
glutinous rice is called โ€œKao Nuengโ€ (steamed rice). It is eaten as a main staple for all the 3 meals.
In the morning, it is called โ€œKao Ngaiโ€ or โ€œBreakfastโ€. At noon, it is called โ€œKao Tonโ€ or โ€œlunchโ€.
In the evening, it is called โ€œKao Langโ€. Food is placed in bowls arranged on a food table known
as โ€œKantokeโ€. This table is made of a round piece of wood supported by legs, long enough for
people to sit around and to pick up the food easily themselves. A round bamboo tray can also be
used. The northern food does not usually have strong taste and is not sweet. Sugar is not added
but sweetness comes from the ingredients such as vegetables and fish. The food is not strongly
sour. Sourness comes from tomatoes or olives. Saltiness comes from salt. Food is cooked for a
long time till softened. Vegetables used to accompany chilli sauce are mostly steamed. They are
mostly local vegetables. The identity of the northern cuisine is the glutinous rice and Namprik Ong
and the method of food preservation in fermented pork and crispy pork rind, including the food
with the influence from the neighbouring countries such as Gang Hunglay, Jinsom, Kao-Soi from Jeen
Haw (the migrating Chinese). The true identity is that food must be well-cooked. All vegetables
must be boiled till well-cooked even before being used in salads. Raw food such as raw laab or
cooked laab are preferably made during festivals.

206 เธญเธฒเธซเธฒเธฃเน„เธ—เธข เธกเธฃเธ”เธเธ เธกเธน เธดเธ›เธเธฑ เธเธฒเธ—เธฒเธ‡เธงเธฑเธ’เธ™เธ˜เธฃเธฃเธก

Thai Food : Thai Cultural Heritage ๆณฐๅผๆ–™็†-ไผ ็ปŸ้ฅฎ้ฃŸๆ–‡ๅŒ–้—ไบง