Thailand Guide

Khao Niew in Chiang Rai ข้าวเหนียว

Khao niew is sticky rice in a bamboo basket. It is the utensil for sai ua, larb, and nam prik in Chiang Rai.

Chiang Rai10 to 22 THB a basketkhao niao Thai food hub
Khao Niew in Chiang Rai

Photo: PattayaPatrol (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Thaiข้าวเหนียว · khao niao
Price10 to 22 THB a basket
RoomNight bazaar grills
ClockWith the grill

What it tastes like

  • Warm glutinous rice. Not jasmine.

How to order it

  • Thai name: khao niao (ข้าวเหนียว).
  • Say: Khor khao niao, khrap/kha.
  • Ask for khao niew, not khao suay.

Typical price

  • 2026 cash: 10 to 22 THB a basket.

Where to try it

  • Any night-bazaar grill, Chiang Rai Night Bazaar, Mueang Chiang Rai 57000. With the grill. 10 to 22 THB. Order a basket with every grill. It is the utensil, not a side you skip.

Spice level and diet

  • Heat: None.
  • Diet: Rice. Usually no fish sauce in the basket.

Next plates

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Common questions

Jasmine instead?
No. Northern plates want sticky rice.
How many baskets?
One basket for two snacks. Two if you ordered larb and sausage.