Foreigner FriendlyYes
✗VegetarianAdventurous
Spice Level
Price Range80-120 THB
About This Dish
Whole fish stuffed with lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and garlic, then coated in a thick salt crust and grilled over charcoal until the skin chars and peels away to reveal succulent flesh. The salt crust seals in moisture while the aromatics perfume every bite, served with a fiery som tam and sticky rice.
Flavor Profile
The balance of tastes in this dish
Sweet2/5
Sour1/5
Salty2/5
Spicy2/5
Umami3/5
History & Origin
Grilled fish is a staple of Isan riverside communities, where freshwater catch is prepared with minimal ingredients to let the natural flavors shine.
Best Time to Eat
Perfect Pairings
Som tamSticky rice
Insider Tips
- 1The salt crust is not meant to be eaten -- peel it away to reach the fish
- 2The lemongrass stuffing perfumes the fish from inside
How to Order
Point and say this to order like a local
Pronunciation:pla pao
ปลาเผา
Say this: Pla Pao Isan (Isan Grilled Fish)
Cuisine Region: Isan (Northeastern)
Price Range: 80-120 THB
Best Time to Eat: Dinner
Where to Try It
The best city to experience this dish
Udon Thani
The best city to experience this dish
More from Isan (Northeastern)
Other dishes from the same region
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