Celebrating and embracing the Lanna culture of Northern
Thailand, a Khantoke dinner is a fantastic experience. Dinner is
accompanied by traditional Lanna music and dance, with all performers wearing the customary garb.
The final song even includes audience participation, during which time women are invited to dance around the restaurant in a sort of Thai conga line while moving their hands in intricate patterns. And, while all Thais have learned these hand gestures from a young age, watching foreign women try to replicate it must be a laughable sight.
The final song even includes audience participation, during which time women are invited to dance around the restaurant in a sort of Thai conga line while moving their hands in intricate patterns. And, while all Thais have learned these hand gestures from a young age, watching foreign women try to replicate it must be a laughable sight.
The highlight, of course, is the food. A handful of different dishes are served
on a pedestal in the center of the table. The selections include traditional
fare like lemongrass sausages, Henglay pork curry, fried chicken,
pork tomato-chili paste, pork rinds, and Thai green chile paste with fresh
streamed veggies. Sticky rice is a useful and delicious tool for eating from communal plates,
as everything is shared. The best part, all the dishes are endlessly
refillable.
Delicious food, interesting cultural performances, and nice
pillows to lounge on once you’ve stuffed yourself so full you think you might
never move again, who could ask for more?
