You gotta!
People (foreigners especially) always ask me what's my most favorite Thai food. Noodle soup is one of them for sure (Joy, 
For those who don't know about 'Isaan', it's a Northeastern part of Thailand. So Isaan food is originally from there and pretty sure it's influenced by Laotian cuisine.
I had a chance to visit one of our family's favorite Isaan food restaurant here in Nakhon Pathom and we order load tons of food so I just thought, might as well share this whole meal with you all so that next time when you're here, you know what's up! and know what great Isaan dishes to try out! I mean, as mentioned, 'You gotta!'
Somtam ส้มตำ
I'm sure a lot of you know this dish! It's quite popular among foreigners. A dish with shredded green papaya as main ingredient. Spicy salad with load tons of chilis and fish sauce. There are all flavors gathered all in one dish, spicy (of course!), sour, salty, sweet and all.
Shredded green papaya as main ingredient, yes, but hey, there are soooooo many different kinds according to how they season it. The sweeter version which is foreigners' favorite. My favorite version you can ask for 'Somtam Pl Plara' which the taste gets a little intense from Pu, fermented crabs and Plara, fermented fish sauce (super intense if you ask my bf!). Though if you're not dare to try then, stick with the Thai version called 'Somtam Thai'.. More sweet and sour and not much of that fishy flavors.
Spicy Bamboo Shoot Salad ซุปหน่อไม้
This one is my grandma's favorite! If you don't prefer crunchiness (well, who doesn't duhh) well, let's change it to, 'if you love bamboo shoot and spices! then this dish is for you' It's actually a hot dish (both temperature and taste wise hehe) with bamboo shoot as main ingredients. The sauce is mainly from broth, fish sauce of course, chili powder, lime juice and a little bit of sugar just to milding the flavors. Topped with mint leaves and roasted whole chilis. One secret ingredient though, is the roasted ground rice that give you a little crunch and its unique aroma!
No, not all the places give such great details like this place. This one we also ordered with some grilled pork so a nice contrast into the dish as well.
Tom Zaab! ต้มแซ่บ
Learn this word, will you? 'Zaab!'
It's Isaan (Northeastern Thai) language means 'delicious'. I know it's Isaan language but when you say this, all Thai people know what it means and it will really make you sound even more natural Thai! The word mostly used to describe something spicy throughout the country though so that's why this dish name is 'Tom Zaab' or 'Zaab soup'.
So yes, of course, it's delicious but besides that, it's hot and sour mainly. With the right kind of meat you prefer makes it a great broth/soup then, you know what's up!
Somtam Corn ตำข้าวโพด
I mentioned early on that there are many kinds of 'Somtam'. The most common one is made with Green papaya salad but it doesn't hurt trying the same sauce with some other veggies or fruits so this one, corn it is! This one they cook it more like 'Somtam Thai' which is the kind that most foreigners prefer.
They goes so well together with all the corn, sweet and sour sauce and a few other ingredients that we add into to give it a little sour taste like dry small shrimps and salted eggs.
Meat lovers this way please!
There are a few simple dish that doesn't have that much spices but still, as flavorful as other Thai/Isaan dish (always!). Well marinated pork, beef or chicken then nicely grilled or deep fried. This time, we ordered deep fried sun-dried pork หมูแดดเดียว, grilled beef เนื้อย่าง and grilled pork jaw คอหมูย่าง.
With Isaan food, my favorite meat dish is always grilled pork jaw as it's soft, tender and with a bit of fat that makes it even softer. The marinade gotta be salty and sweet somewhat to make it perfect with other spicy Isaan dishes.
Ooh! Did I mention that all the Issan dishes, we normally eat with sticky rice or fresh noodle called 'Kanom Jeen ขนมจีน'
Also, fresh veggies as palette cleanser! If it's cold and crunchy would be ideal!
Melao มีลาว
The place we, my family loves so much is this place called 'Me Laos'. They kinda play with the words. Me means have, Laos most likely means the origin of this type of food but also, Rao means us.
So it's either, we have Isaan food or we have each other. Cute, huh?!
The place cooks all the dishes real good. I love the taste, I love how clean the place is and most importantly, love how we as family can come enjoy this delicious set of Isaan food without breaking arms and legs.