Thai New Year Has Arrived! Let’s Eat Some Khao Chae, A Traditional Dish For The Occasion!

Whenever the hottest season visits Thailand, it’s time for a refreshing dish available only in This season. That dish is Khao Chae.

Let Chomp introduce you to the Khoa Chae just a bit!

Khao Chae was created by Mon ethnic group. They make the dish as a ceremonial offering to their local holy spirits during Songkran. Some food historians believe that this dish arrived in the court of Thailand during the reign of King Rama IV through Mon high-born lady, Lady Son-Klin Gajaseni, who later became the king’s favourite. It is believed that while the King spent his Summer vacation at Phra Nakhon Khiri (Phetchaburi province today), Lady Son-Klin made the dish for the king. After that event, the dish became popular in the royal court and later outside the royal palace. The dish remains its popularity until these days.

Khao Chae consists of cooked rice that has been washed seven times, jasmine-scented water, and side dishes: Look Kapi (Deep-fried shrimp paste balls), Chai Pow Waan (Sweet stir-fried radish), Hom Daeng Yud Sai (Deep-fried stuffed shallots), Prik Yuak Sod Sai (Egg-coated assorted green pepper) and Moo Foi (Sweet pork floss).

If you’re coming to Thailand during Songkran and wish to try the dish, Chomp made a list of places that serve Khao Chae!

Baannai The Reminiscence Baannai Restaurant at Baannai The Reminiscence Hotel presents a Thai family-dining concept. Baannai is famous for its traditional Thai food inspired by Baannai’s family recipes, some of which are from a cookbook hand-written by one of the Baannai ladies herself. Baannai’s Khao Chae is the family’s recipe comprising rice soaked in home-grown-jasmine-scented water and side dishes. To keep it family-friendly, Baannai’s Khao Chae is served with simplicity but prepared with devotion. Available from today until 31 May 2023 at 400++ Baht per set (Reservation in advance) Hours Wed-Sun, 11:30 - 14:00, 15:00 - 17:30

Contact Tel: +6698 262 2486 Web: https://www.baannaihotel.com/dining FB: https://www.facebook.com/Baannaithereminiscence IG: https://www.instagram.com/baannai_the_reminiscence/ LINE: @baannai

Baan Suriyasai Once home to the Bunnag, a Thai aristocratic family of Persian descent, Baan Suriyasai is now a restaurant known for serving rare and uncommon Thai dishes prepared with traditional techniques and recipes. Baan Suriyasai’s Colonial-Victorian architecture was well reserved, showcasing the Thai Renaissance art and golden age. Baan Suriyasai’s Khao Chae is an ensemble of finely prepared pandan-infused rice swimming in iced jasmine-scented water with exquisite side dishes, fried vegetables and elegantly carved fresh vegetables. Available until 31 May 2023 at 600THB++ per set (Reservation in advance) Hours Daily, 10:00 - 22:00 Contact Location: 174 Thanon Surawong, Suriya Wong, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500 Tel: +6695 949 1952, +662 237 8889 Web: https://www.baansuriyasai.com/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/BaanSuriyasai IG: https://www.instagram.com/baansuriyasai/

Miss Siam at Hua Chang Heritage Situated in the historic area of downtown Bangkok, Miss Siam at Hua Chang Heritage serves delicious Thai heritage cuisine with a contemporary appearance. This year, the restaurant will host a Khao Chae Buffet for the whole month. Miss Siam at Hua Chang Heritage’s Khao Chae is very special because the restaurant has developed its recipe. The side dishes are Look Kapi, a mixture of coconut and shrimp paste before being deep-fried, Moo Pun Tod Pla Insea (pork and Indo-Pacific king mackerel balls) and several more for customers to choose from on their plates. Available until 31 April 2023 at 890THB++ per set Hours Daily, 10:30-21:30

Contact Tel: +662 217 0777 Web: https://www.huachangheritagehotel.com/restaurant.php IG: https://www.instagram.com/misssiamrestaurant/ LINE: @misssiam

Royal Osha Located in a hectic area in Bangkok, Royal Osha offers Thai food with different approaches presenting the restaurant’s interpretation of Thai food. The restaurant’s vibrant decorations and architecture boast that the food here tastes and looks like no other. The Royal Osha’s Khao Chae is served on a majestic platter, bursting with Summer flower aromas. Sao Hai jasmine rice from Surin province was carefully selected, scrubbed, and rinsed before being soaked in bread flower-scented water accompanied by seven side dishes. To complete the meal, a refreshing Marian plum granita. Available until 31 May 2023 at 1,250 Baht per set (Reservation in advance) Hours Tue-Sun, 11:00 - 22:00

Contact: +662 256 6555, +6685 489 0571 Web: https://royalosha.com/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/royaloshabkk IG: https://www.instagram.com/royaloshabangkok/ LINE: @royalosha

Ruen Malika Ruen Malika is situated on Sukhumvit 22. The restaurant’s architecture is a traditional Thai teak house. Not only the restaurant’s building is traditional, but also the food and serving. Customers will have a marvellous experience. Ruen Malika’s Khao Chae is made the traditional way. The culinary team cooks the rice in a clay pot with firewood. The rice is smoked with a Thai candle to add smoky and frankincense scents to the rice. The jasmines for jasmine-scented water are free from pesticides. The rice is served with six side dishes. Available until 31 May 2023 at 450THB++ per set (Reservation in advance) Hours Daily, 12:00 - 22:00

Contact Tel: +6684 088 3755 Web: https://www.ruenmallika.com/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/RuenMallika Line: @ruenmallika

Ruen Noppagao To preserve Thai cuisine’s heritage, Ruen Noppagao features only traditional recipes and presents authentic flavours. The restaurant also cares about the local farmers and the product’s quality. Its ingredients are all local and organic.

Ruen Noppagao Khao Chae is unique. It comes in courses. The first course starts with fresh watermelon topped with dried fish, then rice in iced water with seven side dishes. The restaurant meticulously chose mineral water from Doi Ngam Village in Mae Suai district, Chiang Rai province, as the dish’s water. To finish the meal, a refreshing dessert of Som Choon Mayongchid (Marian plum in sweet and salty syrup) as dessert, which will beat the Summer heat with its refreshing fragrance and enticing taste.

Available until 15 May 2023 at 999THB++ per set and at 1,999THB net for takeaway set for two (Reservation in advance)

Hours Daily, 11:30 - 22:00

Contact Tel: +662 116 3317, +662 160 5995 Web: https://ruennoppagaorestaurant.com/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/ruennoppagaorestaurant IG: https://www.instagram.com/ruennoppagaorestaurant/ Happy Thai New Year! Happy Songkran!