Karen people are traditionally forest people and would rarely visit nearby towns. Rather than buying food in the market, Karen people searched the forest for delicacies such as snakes, wild bamboo, leafy plants and small vegetables to eat with chili sauce. Karen people also grow some food of their own, such as rice.

Some common Karen dishes are a chili sauce made with beans, nam prik tua nao, and a chicken and potato curry. If a visitor were to come to a Karen village for a special ceremony or to learn more about Karen culture however, da-poh-poh is the dish that would be made. Da-poh-poh is similar to the Thai kow tom, or boiled rice porridge, but with more vegetables. The rice used is called kow sarn, tiny pieces of rice which are placed in boiling water and stirred to make a thick sauce-like mixture. Various vegetables such as bamboo and pumpkin are added, as well as meat such as pork or chicken to taste. A variety of herbs, onion and chili gives the dish a rich flavor.