Kai Yang Dee Dee: Grilled Chicken and Som Tam in Nakhon Nayok

Kai Yang Dee Dee near the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy (CRMA) is another great place to eat in Nakhon Nayok that we want to share. The food is bold and punchy, a real local gem. The restaurant has been open for over 30 years. You really have to try it; you won't be disappointed.

You can smell the food from far away. Kai Yang Dee Dee is an Isan-style restaurant whose specialty, as the name says, is grilled chicken (kai yang). The chicken is marinated in a special secret recipe that soaks right in, so it comes out tender and juicy with thin skin. The restaurant has been serving for more than 25 years, which says a lot. It's spacious, so seating is easy. It was even featured on the TV show Krua Khun Toi, so you know it's good.

Besides grilled chicken, the highlights include grilled pork salad (nam tok moo), spicy soft-bone pork soup, pork larb, Thai-style som tam, som tam with salted egg, bamboo shoot salad (sup no mai) and grilled pork neck. Every dish is good. The restaurant also makes boxed meals.

Here's what we ate and how much it cost:

Som tam with crab and pla ra: 50 baht

Fiery and satisfying, with a deep pla ra flavor. Lots of fermented fish and juicy pickled crab. Authentic Isan.

Grilled chicken: 120 baht (half) / 240 baht (whole)

This is the highlight, a must-order. The chicken is tender and full of flavor, unlike anywhere else. It's grilled fresh and juicy, and eating it hot is a treat. The dipping sauce is great too. For grilled chicken, this is the standout around CRMA.

Thai-style som tam: 50 baht

Lighter in flavor but delicious: just the right heat, sour and sweet, and topped with plenty of peanuts. If you love papaya salad but not pla ra, this is a good choice.

Drinks:

• Soft drinks: small 20 baht / large 50 baht
• Water: small 10 baht / large 20 baht

On Saturdays and Sundays the restaurant also offers free dessert (self-serve). Please take a fair share.

The restaurant is near the road, easy to find and easy to reach, with a big car park, so no parking worries. The setting is simple and comfortable, under tents, and it doesn't get too hot. For food this good, it's worth it, and it's not expensive.

For locals nearby, there's delivery:

• Free delivery within 3 to 4 km for orders of 250 baht or more
• Free delivery in Nakhon Nayok town for orders of 300 baht or more

Kai Yang Dee Dee

Address: 179/1 Moo 4, Phrommani, Mueang Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Nayok (in front of Wat Yothi, before CRMA)

Tel: 087 017 3950

Hours: 10:00am to 4:30pm

Facebook: Kai Yang Dee Dee CRMA Nakhon Nayok

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Author Meeting Point Management Team, MBA มหาวิทยาลัยธรรมศาสตร์ MBA University of Technology Sydney (UTS) DBA มหาวิทยาลัยธรรมศาสตร์ Editorial Team

The Meeting Point management team loves eating, travelling, temple visits and lifestyle. We pick the restaurants, cafes, stays, attractions and temples we have visited ourselves and write about them honestly.