A khantoke or khantok (Thai: ขันโตก, in Thai pronounced as /kʰǎn.tòːk/; Lao: ພາໂຕກ, in Lao pronounced as /pʰáː.tȍːk/; พาโตก, in Lao pronounced as /pʰa᷇ː.tòːk/) is a pedestal tray used as a small dining table by the Lanna people (of northern Thailand), Laotians, and by people from Isan (northeastern Thailand).[1] A khantoke tray is a short, round table, made of several different materials such as: wood, bamboo or rattan. It has a diameter of about but can vary in size and use case. It is comparable to the daunglan traditionally used in Burmese cuisine.
Glutinous rice is generally eaten instead of "fluffy" rice in this culture, which is eaten in the rest of Thailand. Glutinous rice (Oryza sativa var. glutinosa; also called "sticky rice", "sweet rice", or "waxy rice" Thai people call it "Khao Neaw") is grown mainly in Southeast and East Asia. It has opaque grains, very low amylose content and is sticky when cooked. It is called glutinous in the sense of being glue-like or sticky, and not in the sense of containing gluten. While often called "sticky rice", it differs from non-glutinous strains of japonica rice that also become sticky to some degree when cooked. Numerous cultivars of glutinous rice exist, including japonica, indica and tropical japonica strains.
A khantoke can hold cups of rice and other food, flowers, and candles and fruit.
People in northern Thailand traditionally sit on the floor when eating. When the food is ready, it is poured into cups or bowls and placed on the khantoke tray. Then it is ready to be served.
Khantoke is used as dining furniture to keep food off the ground at special occasions such as wedding parties, funerals, housewarming parties and temple festivals.
Khantoke dinners involve different foods depending on social status. Khantoke dinners are a northern tradition, especially in Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lamphun, and Lampang. The tradition of hosting traditional khanthoke dinners was initiated by Kraisi Nimmanhemin in 1906.
A location is prepared for the guests by providing them with a seat and table.