Pad Mee Korat by Da Liu, Mu Si, Nakon Ratchasima, Thailand

Pad Mee Korat, or Northeastern Thai Stir-Fried Noodles

by Da Liu, Mu Si, Nakon Ratchasima, Thailand

Pad mee Korat, or Korat noodles ("Korat" being the nickname for Nakhon Ratchasima Province, the largest province in the Issan region and the gateway to Thailand’s Lao-speaking northeast), is an iconic dish of northeastern Thailand with similarities to the central region's pad Thai.

After a day out at nearby Khao Yai National Park, I stopped in at Da Liu Restaurant for dinner. Since I was in Korat, I decided to give the pad mee Korat a try.

pad mee Korat, or Korat noodles in Mu Si, Thailand

I found pad mee Korat to be similar to pad Thai, but with a slightly spicier, and more savory flavor (pad Thai can be quite sweet). The noodles were also a bit firmer and chewier, and the dish generally had a more rustic character than its better-known cousin, if that makes sense.

The noodles were served with pieces of chicken, crispy bean sprouts, green onion and a side of crushed, roasted peanuts. I also squeezed a bit of lime on top to add a bit of brightness to the delicious and hearty noodle dish. Try it next time you're in Mu Si!

My favorite pad Thai restaurants in Bangkok

• Pad Thai Khor Moo Yang, or Pad Thai with Grilled Pork Neck in Siam Square
• "Hellfire" Pad Thai in Bangkok, Thailand (Pad Thai Narok Taek)
• Blue Crab Pad Thai at Baan Phadthai, Bangkok, Thailand (Michelin Bib Gourmand)
• The ORIGINAL Pad Thai at Thipsamai - Bangkok, Thailand

Location

Da Liu Restaurant is located in the main town area of Mu Si (near most of the hotels, cafes, and restaurants) at 221 Thanaratch Rd, Mu Si, Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima 30130. It's a fairly short drive to one of the main entrances to Khao Yai National Park and makes for a nice place to stop for a great meal after a long day of outdoor adventure.