Nakhon Ratchasima

Never let it be said that you can't eat on a budget in Korat. The cheaper restaurants usually open during the day and can generally be divided into two groups: those which sell pre-cooked khao man gai, kwitiyao and khao moo daeng boiled chicken & rice, noodle soup and red pork with rice, and those which have a menu and sell khao pad, pad Thai fried rice, fried noodles and so on. In the case of the former, you will see the cooked chickens and strips of red meat in a cabinet in front of the restaurant, and they usually just sell the aforementioned three meals. ฿25 is the going rate for one meal but you can push the boat out and pay ฿30 for a larger portion! The other type of restaurant will be able to prepare any Thai meal within reason and, again, ฿25 is usually the starting price. Pad krapao moo spicy minced pork cooked with basil and khanom chin fresh rice noodles served with a spicy sauce and vegetables are particularly popular in Korat. As is pad mee Korat a local, spicier variation on pad Thai. The budget restaurants listed below, therefore, offer something a little different to the khao man gai and kwitiyao eateries which abound on nearly every street.

Cafe de Toom

Different to most cheap Thai restaurants, this one only sells pre-cooked curries. There are eight to ten different types on display at the front counter ready to eat. Gaeng Massaman muslim curry is sweet and not too spicy, and is thoroughly recommended. Price for all curries is ฿25-฿30. The owner speaks good English and will whip you up a refreshing iced-tea or coffee. The board out front advertises an 'American Breakfast' for ฿90 - a concession made for the many farang staying at the nearby Chao Phaya hotel.