Sukhothai Noodles in Sukhothai

Part of the Sukhothai travel guide — see every topic in All Sukhothai Guides.

Sukhothai has its own style of noodles, now sold all over Thailand. In Sukhothai itself they are cheap, quick and everywhere. A bowl is sweet, sour, salty and a little spicy all at once. This guide explains the dish, where to eat it, and what else to try in town.

What is in the bowl

Sukhothai noodles start with thin rice noodles. The cook adds pork, often both sliced and crispy pork, plus sliced green long beans, ground peanuts, fresh coriander, garlic and chilli. The broth is light and clear, seasoned with soy sauce. Sugar and lime give the dish its sweet and sour taste. You can usually order it as a soup or dry, with the broth on the side. The bowls are small to medium, so many people order two. Add more chilli, sugar, fish sauce or vinegar from the jars on the table to suit your taste.

Where to eat them

Noodle shops are easy to find in New Sukhothai and near the gate of the historical park. Many are simple open-front shops with plastic stools and metal tables. They are busiest at breakfast and lunch, and some close by mid-afternoon. A good sign is a shop full of local people. Point at the noodles you want if you do not speak Thai. The word for noodles is kuay teow. Shops near the park gate make an easy lunch stop between bike rides. Prices are low, and cash is the normal way to pay.

The night market

In the evening, food stalls set up in the centre of New Sukhothai, near Ramkhamhaeng Road. You can find grilled pork and chicken on sticks, sticky rice, spicy salads, fried noodles, fresh fruit and sweets. Most dishes cost very little, so it is easy to try many. Some stalls have small tables, or you can take food back to your room. The old city area near the park also has a few evening stalls and small restaurants. Bring small notes, because most stalls take cash only.

Other things to try

Besides noodles, look for simple rice and curry shops, where you point at the dishes you want. Sticky rice with grilled meat and som tam, a spicy green papaya salad, are easy meals at any time. For dessert, look for fresh fruit, coconut ice cream and small Thai sweets made from rice flour and coconut. Iced coffee and Thai iced tea are sold everywhere. Cafes near the park gate serve Western breakfasts too, which is handy before an early bike ride.

Sukhothai Noodles at a glance

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All 5 Sukhothai guides·Thailand tourist maps

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