Things to do in Khon Kaen
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Wat Pho Ban Nontan
Just off the lake, this peaceful tree-filled temple pre-dates the city and has a săh·lah like no other in Thailand. The ground floor is covered with ingeniously sculpted trees, animals and village scenes of people acting out old Isan proverbs.
reviewed
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Turm-Rom
This superb place combines one of the best kitchens in town with a quiet, covered garden to create the perfect place for a night out. The hòr mòk tá·lair (seafood curry served in a coconut) is especially good, but in our many visits we've never had a dud dish.
reviewed
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Restaurant Didine
Didine's French chef-owner whips up swanky fa·ràng food, such as red snapper with saffron, that you wouldn't expect to find in Khon Kaen. His Italian dishes disappoint.
reviewed
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D
Khon Kaen National Museum
This interesting collection of artefacts spans prehistoric times to the present. Highlights are Ban Chiang pottery and a beautiful Dvaravati săir·mah (temple boundary marker) depicting Princess Pimpa cleaning Lord Buddha's feet with her hair. The household and agricultural displays shed light on what you'll see out in the countryside.
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Phra Mahathat Kaen Nakhon
Down at the south end of the lake is Khon Kaen’s one must-see, Phra Mahathat Kaen Nakhon, a gorgeous nine-storey chedi at the heart of Wat Nong Wang. Inside you’ll find enlightening murals depicting Khon Kaen history, various historical displays and a staircase to the top.
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E
Naem Laplae
You can follow the pungent aromas to this old-school Isan food store (if you’ve got a cold, look out for the bright yellow-and-red shopfront), one of several in this area. This and the others sell everything from sweets to sausages, most notably gun chee·ang (red pork sausages).
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Dee Dee
Though it may look like just a humble food-to-order shop, Khun Jaang works wonders with a wok and the food is extraordinary – truly some of the best in Thailand. She is co-creator of a new Thai dish called pàt tim (egg noodles stir-fried with red curry paste).
reviewed
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Chor Wang Puu
With wood-and-thatch dining areas perched alongside and above a large pond, the Crab Palace vaguely resembles a fishing village. Naturally, fish features prominently on the Thai, Isan and Chinese menu. It's a beautiful spot at night, and you might even catch a little sunset view way back behind the lake.
reviewed
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Phrae Pan
Run by the Handicraft Center for Northeastern Women's Development, this out-of-the-way store (near the Vietnamese consulate) has a superb selection of natural-dyed, handwoven silk and cotton, which is produced in nearby villages.
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Talat Bobae
The most enjoyable souvenir-shopping is looking for the handful of people selling traditional baskets and wooden items, hidden away within the fresh food and household-goods stalls in Talat Bobae.
reviewed
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Gai Yang Rabeab
Many locals believe Khon Kaen Province makes Thailand’s best gài yâhng and this simple joint, serving an all-Isan menu, gets the most nods as best of the best in the city.
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Art & Culture University Museum
The focus of Khon Kaen University's cultural showcase is the two-storey art gallery, which features monthly installations of both student and professional work. The Educational Museum upstairs and in the back provides a brief intro to Isan culture, but only if you can read Thai.
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Bualuang Restaurant
Perched on a pier over Beung Kaen Nakhon, it serves up a typical spread of Thai and Chinese dishes in a largely alfresco setting. Prices are high, but the food is good.
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K
Prathamakhan
This well-known, reasonably priced shop has both textiles and handicrafts and makes a good one-stop shop. Don’t miss the knick-knack and handicraft display at the back.
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Plapanoy
This large alfresco spot near Bueng Kaen Nakhon is where locals bring out-of-town guests to sample genuine Isan food. Fish is the speciality.
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Khon Kaen City Museum
Inside the amphitheatre, the well-done Hong Moon Mung museum provides a good introduction to Isan with dioramas and displays going back to the Jurassic period.
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U-Bar
Almost exclusively the domain of Khon Kaen University students, U-Bar is smaller than Rad, but just as loud and crowded.
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Mhesak Spirit House
Head north along the shore and you’ll pass the Mhesak Spirit House, a Khmer-style prang dedicated to the Hindu god Indra.
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Tawantong
This large, all-veggie, health-food buffet sits across from the National Museum. The food is so good it also gets many carnivorous diners.
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Mud
Mud is a stylish coffee shop where most of the coffees, teas, juices, sandwiches and salads are organic. Has free wi-fi.
reviewed
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Rad Complex
Rad Complex is a multifaceted place with live music, DJs, karaoke, ‘coyote’ dancers and an alfresco restaurant
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Food Stalls
For cheap eats many cheap food stalls open up between Th Ammat and the Roma Hotel and stay open very late.
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Wat That
Head north along the shore and you’ll pass Wat That, which has a soaring bòht and chedi.
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U
Trajit
Serves Nang Rong–style kăa mŏo (pork rump roast) in a cute, crumbling, piece-of-history shophouse.
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Wat Jeen Beung Kaen Nakhon
Wat Jeen Beung Kaen Nakhon is Khon Kaen’s biggest and most beautiful Chinese temple.
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