Kai Yang Wan Na
A Khao Suan Kwang institution since 1973, grilling butterflied chickens over charcoal on the highway north of Khon Kaen.
Restaurants Isaan (Northeastern Thailand)
Khon Kaen (TH)
Khao Suan Kwang, a district on the Mittraphap Highway north of Khon Kaen city, gave its name to one of Thailand's best-known styles of gai yang. Kai Yang Wanna has been grilling chicken here since 1973 and is listed in the 2026 Michelin Guide.
The chickens are butterflied, seasoned and cooked slowly over charcoal every day, giving crisp skin and smoky, well-seasoned meat. The rest of the menu covers Isaan standards such as som tam, larb and nam tok. It is a relaxed, family-style place with an air-conditioned room and veranda seating, popular with road-trippers.
What to order
- Gai yang Khao Suan Kwang: butterflied charcoal-grilled chicken, the reason to stop
- Som tam: pounded green papaya salad, ordered as spicy as you like
- Larb: minced meat salad with toasted rice and herbs
- Khao niao: sticky rice to eat with everything
Good to know
- Bring cash, as cards are not accepted.
- It sits on the main highway with its own car park, so it is easiest by car on the way between Khon Kaen and Udon Thani.
- Opening hours are not published; phone ahead if arriving late in the day.
Features
Location
271 Moo 11, Mittraphap Road, Kham Muang, Khao Suan Kwang, Khon Kaen 40280
Cook it at home: Isaan (Northeastern Thailand) recipes
The northeast: fiery salads, grilled meats, fermented fish and sticky rice. The food Thailand eats when it eats out.
Salads
Nam Tok Neua (Isaan Grilled Beef Salad)
Charred, juicy beef sliced and tossed warm with lime, fish sauce, roasted chilli, toasted rice, shallots and herbs.
25 min · Easy
Salads
Som Tam Thai (Green Papaya Salad)
Shredded green papaya bruised in a clay mortar with garlic, chilli, lime, palm sugar, tomatoes, green beans, dried shrimp and peanuts.
20 min · Easy
Dips & Relishes
Nam Jim Jaew (Isaan Dipping Sauce)
The smoky, sour, salty dipping sauce served with grilled meats across Isaan, thickened with toasted rice.
10 min · Easy
Salads
Larb Moo (Isaan Minced Pork Salad)
Warm minced pork tossed with lime, fish sauce, chilli flakes, toasted rice powder, shallots and fresh mint.
30 min · Easy