Chiang Mai is a paradise for food lovers. Located in Northern Thailand in what is called ‘Sticky Rice Country’, everywhere you look while walking around the city, you’ll be tempted by something delicious – smoke pouring off a grill covered in herbaceous sausages and crispy meat skewers, a bowl of steaming khao soi noodles, coconut pancakes crisping in iron molds, icy cold fruit smoothie stands.
Naturally, during our trip we planned out our days around what we were going to eat (and when we would get a massage 😊)!
The city is small enough that you can really dive in to experience it to the fullest. They have incredibly beautiful and historic temples peppered throughout the city, so put on your walking shoes and start exploring. If you are feeling like an adrenaline rush, rent a motorbike to zip around. You are bound to stumble upon something incredible pretty much constantly. One of the highlights from our trip was walking by a temple that was having a potluck and and the temple community invited us to come and share the meal with them.
In Chiang Mai, the night markets are where you can find incredible street food each and every night. They are lively and exciting, and you can try so many different foods throughout your evening. You will also probably make some friends while you eat away at one of the casual tables strewn throughout the markets.
I have put together a list of my food recommendations sorted by food item, all of which are typical fare for this region of Thailand. Many of the places are small stands and don’t have a street address, so I have given notes on what is nearby for those locations:
KHAO SOI
Khao Soi is the quintessential dish of Northern Thailand. It is a rich coconut curry based soup. It will feature wide, flat rice noodles, and chicken, pork, or beef as well as other toppings like pickles or crispy noodles depending on the shop.
Khao Soi Lam Duan
352/22 Charoen Rat Road
(66-53) 243-519
Khao Soi Prince (Homemade Noodles, Beef shin)
105/109 Thanon Kaew Nawarat
66/0 53-242-446
Khaw-Soi-Mrs. Sriphan (Spicier + More Sour Than Most)
39 Thanon Koh Klang
66/ 5-140-339
Khao Soi Islam (Burmese Style)
22-24 Thanon Charoenprathet, Soi 1
66/0 53-271-484
ISSAN CUISINE
Issan Cuisine is the food of Northeastern Thailand. There is a large influence from the food of Laos. The food tends to be spicy and feature sour and acidic elements. Sticky rice and simple grilled meats are also staple items.
Krun Phech Doi Ngam
125/3 Moo 3, Mahidon Road
66-53 812-051
Specialties:
- Ham Kai Meung - Chicken Soup
- Ja Hoom - beef stew w/ tumeric
- Yam Samma Phrai - herb salad
Pa Daeng Jin Tup (North of Chiang Mai)
Ban Sn Sai, Noy Moo 9
Highway 101
San Sai
Specialties:
- In Tup - beef hammered until shredded
- Beef brain
- Blood soup
- Grilled pork
Laap Kao Cham Cha
Under the Rain Tree, behind Prince Royal College on corner of
Rattanakosin Road, T. Wat Gate, A. Muang Chiang Mai
Specialties:
- Laap (aka Laab)
- BBQ Pork
- Frog
SP Chicken
9/1 Sam Larn Soi 1
Phra Singh, Muang, Chiang Mai Thailand
Specialty:
- Gai Yang (Grilled Chicken)
Kai Thawt Thien Kheun
139 Kampaengdin Road, T. Haiya
A Muang, Chang Mai 50100
**HOURS: 11PM-5AM**
Specialty:
- Gai Tod (Fried Chicken)
BOAT NOODLES
Boat Noodles are a noodle soup typically featuring both pork and beef, but what is really special about the soup is that it incorporates pig or cow blood as a flavoring and thickener to the soup.
Kuay Tiew Reur Rang Sit Go Heng
193/4 Huay-Kaew Rd.
Tambon Suthep
Ampher Muang
Chiang Mai
*Located next to Coocase Moterbike Shop. Two blocks from Niman Road.
Pro tip: Also order the iced chamanao (iced tea with lime)
SAI UA (Northern Thai Pork Sausages)
Sai Ua are Northern Thai Sausages. They are pork based and feature lots of lemongrass and herbs inside, so they are really fragrant. Juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside – they are a perfect snack.
Damrong
Warorot Market
3rd Floor, main building
NOTE: This is one of the most incredible markets in the city and you can spend hours exploring. They do have volunteer information staff on the first floor of the main building that can help walk you to the shop. It’s a bit of a maze inside, so you can look for these people to help you find the stall.
NAM PRIK NOOM (Chile Dip)
Nam Prik Noom is a smoky dip made from pounded roasted chiles, garlic, shallots, fish sauce, and some other herbs and spices depending on who is making it. It is spicy and very umami. Be sure to buy pork rinds to eat with it!
Jai Hong
Warorot Market
NOTE: This is one of the most incredible markets in the city and you can spend hours exploring. They do have volunteer information staff on the first floor of the main building that can help walk you to the shop. It’s a bit of a maze inside, so you can look for these people to help you find the stall.
KALAMAE (Caramel-like Candies)
Chewy and sweet, these candies are made with glutinous rice flour, palm sugar, and coconut cream. These are traditionally from Southern Thailand, but worth seeking out while you are in Chiang Mai.
Savoey
Wararot Market
NOTE: This is one of the most incredible markets in the city and you can spend hours exploring. They do have volunteer information staff on the first floor of the main building that can help walk you to the shop. It’s a bit of a maze inside, so you can look for these people to help you find the stall.
KAEB MOO (Pork Rinds)
Kaeb Moo are freshly fried pork rinds. They are a perfect accompaniment to eat with Nam Prik Noom chile dip.
Amporn
Suthep Market
STEAMED BUNS
There is a large Thai-Chinese population throughout Thailand, so you can find some incredible Chinese food in areas of the city. There are a few old-fashioned shops selling steamed buns along Charoen Muang Road.
Wikun Panick
near Nawarat Bridge on Charoen Muang Road
KHAO KHA MOO (Pork Leg and Rice)
Cowgirl Lady
North Gate Night Market - Lady with the Cowboy hat (you won't miss her).
And to finish off your long day of eating with something sweet…
TAPIOCA AND EGG DESSERT
Stall @ North Gate Market
If you are facing the same direction as the Cowgirl Pork and Rice stand, this stand is located just to the right about two stalls down. You will have to look at what the different booths are cooking. You will know that you are at the right place because you will see a big pot of what looks like poaching eggs (which is exactly what it is!). This was SO DELICIOUS! It is a bowl of chewy tapioca pearls and a poached egg in a sweet, creamy coconut soup.
Happy Eating! If you have any favorites from your trip, please let me know - I would love to hear about them!
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