Bangkok, Thailand, April 27, 2022 / The Michelin Guide Thailand 2023 features Nakhon Ratchasima, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, and Khon Kaen as representative cities of the Isan region. This expansion marks the sixth year of the guide's presence in Thailand. The Michelin Guide and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) have announced the expansion of the Michelin Guide Thailand to include the northeastern region of Thailand – commonly known as "Isan" – in its sixth edition, which will be published at the end of 2022. Of the 20 provinces in this largest region of Thailand, four provincial cities – Nakhon Ratchasima, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, and Khon Kaen – have been selected to represent the region's distinctive and flavorful cuisine, as well as its remarkable natural and cultural heritage.

Northeast Thai or "Isan" cuisine boasts a fascinating history, drawing on cultural influences from ancient eras—including the Kingdom of Sukhothai and the Khmer Empire—as well as from neighboring Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, and China. The region is characterized by fields and forests on plateaus and in mountains, ideal for livestock farming. It is also a major rice-growing area, producing high-quality rice, including the world-famous jasmine and sticky rice. While Isan cuisine, due to its landlocked location, does not feature seafood, the region is rich in freshwater fish, particularly the Mekong River.

According to Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the Michelin Guides, the Michelin inspectors were impressed by the flavorful and distinctive cuisine of the Isan region. It employs simple cooking methods yet achieves subtle and complex flavors – such as boiling, grilling, steaming, braising, and, above all, the traditional preservation techniques. The latter is considered the pinnacle of the cuisine and testifies to the local wisdom of preserving fish and seasonal vegetables for longer periods. Fermented fish (Pla Ra), made from local fish fermented in salt and rice, is the best-known and most important ingredient. It is used in many dishes and sauces and has been recognized as a national cultural asset since 2012.

“Besides its unique cuisine and interesting culinary background, Isan boasts many chefs with extensive knowledge and experience gained in world-renowned restaurants abroad, who have now opened their own establishments in their home region. They are making a significant contribution to elevating Isan cuisine to a new level – by using local ingredients combined with their outstanding culinary skills, they are setting new standards for high-quality regional cuisine. This is a promising sign that northeastern Thailand will soon become an attractive destination for food lovers, thus contributing to a thriving economy in the surrounding communities and markets,” said Mr. Poullennec.

Yuthasak Supasorn, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), views the existence of the Michelin Guide Thailand over the past five years as a valuable contribution to the TAT's mission to establish Thailand as an international destination for food lovers. The increasing number of Michelin-starred, Bib Gourmand-awarded, and featured restaurants in each edition of the Michelin Guide Thailand—partly due to the Michelin Guide's increased expansion into new areas across the country and partly due to local restaurants striving to improve quality and service to meet the high standards of the Michelin Guide—helps raise awareness of culinary tourism among both domestic and international travelers and set new trends.

Comparing the 2018 edition of the Michelin Guide Thailand with the current 2022 edition, the number of selected restaurants has increased from 126 to 361. Of these, the number of Michelin-starred restaurants rose from 17 to 32, and the number of Bib Gourmand-awarded restaurants increased from 35 to 133. The guide's scope was expanded from "Bangkok" in the 2018 edition to "Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Chiang Mai, Phuket and Phang-Nga" in the 2022 edition.

“Northeast Thailand holds enormous potential – both culinary and historical, with diverse tourist attractions and a charming lifestyle. Beyond the delicious and authentic cuisine of Northeast Thailand, also known as Isan cuisine, visitors of all ages can explore attractions such as Khao Yai National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) in Nakhon Ratchasima, Pha Taem National Park in Ubon Ratchathani, the Ban Chiang Archaeological Site in Udon Thani, and the Phu Wiang Dinosaur Museum in Khon Kaen. Furthermore, the region boasts a wealth of excellent local food and handicrafts. More than 34 Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) products invite browsing and discovery – ideal for souvenir shoppers. With the publication of the Michelin Guide Thailand 2023, we hope the world will discover the vibrant culinary scene of Northeast Thailand, while simultaneously boosting tourism and the local economy,” said Supasorn.

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