FOOD GUIDE
Let’s be honest, this is the real reason we’re going…
“Welcome to Chiang Mai Province, tucked up near the borders of Burma, China, Laos, India not too far away. All of them have left their mark on the food.”
-Anthony Bourdain
FINDING THE BEST FOOD
There’s an overwhelming amount of local food choices in Thailand but it doesn’t necessarily mean that all of them are going to be delicious. We’ll share our personal restaurant and food recommendations but here’s our 4 cardinal rules on how to discover the best foods that Chiang Mai has to offer.
#1 – DON’T EAT ANYTHING THAT YOU CAN GET BACK HOME
Seriously, if you travel halfway around to world to eat a Big Mac, you might as well stay home. Not only would you be wasting precious time, $$$, and digestive real estate on bland food but it’ll most likely not taste nearly as good as what you’re used to back home. Stay away from “Western Style” restaurants in general and enjoy the local specialties instead.
#2 – GO WHERE THE LOCALS GO
An easy and accurate indicator of great food are the locals. If you see a packed restaurant or food stall with a huge line of locals, you can bet that there’s something tasty waiting for you. Take a chance and see what all the fuss is about because you’ll never know what awesomeness you might discover. Even if you don’t know what to order, just look at what everyone else is eating and get that! We’ve discovered some of our favorite dishes using this trick.
#3 – DON’T OVER-ORDER AT A SINGLE PLACE
Don’t make the mistake of over-ordering too many dishes from one place only to be disappointed or get overly filled. Instead, order only one or two of the best items to get a preview (just ask the server or look online). We like to get an appetizer/small dish and an entree to share and go from there. This way, you’re able to taste the best that a place has to offer and still have plenty room to try many more places as they day goes on. It’s not uncommon for us to hit up 5-10 different places in a single day using this method. Rarely is there a single restaurant that does everything well. Instead, you’ll find that most places specialize in just a few items so focus on these. If you do find something you absolutely love, save it to your Google Maps and go back for another round the next day!
#4 – GOOGLE REVIEWS, YOUTUBE, AND FOOD BLOGS
Before making the trip, check out locally based food Youtubers and bloggers to get a great insider scoop on the local secrets (Mark Weins is our favorite for Thailand). Typically before arriving, we already have a list of places picked out that we’ve seen online and want to try.
If you need a good recommendation on the spot when you’re out and about, use Google maps to look for nearby restaurants with good reviews and check out pictures left by other users. You can even just show the picture on your phone
when ordering.
FOOD MARKETS
Imagine dozens of food stalls in one location catering to your every craving. You’ll be sure to find something you love.
PLOEN RUEDEE NIGHT MARKET
This is our favorite and highest recommended food market, you ABSOLUTELY have to go! This market specializes only in food and you’ll find over 50 different food stalls specializing in various local and fusion cuisine. This isn’t amateur hour either as each shop and stall i this market has been hand picked so you know you’re getting the best.
Pictured & Recommended: Thai Seafood Boil with Shirmp, Squid, Mussel, Clam, Chile Mussel, Giant Prawn, and Corn served over Pad Thai Noodles.
Map: Ploen Ruedee Night Market
ANUSARN NIGHT MARKET
Anusarn is a large night market with great food spots mixed in. Our favorite place is an outdoor seafood market specializing in fresh lobsters.
Pictured and Recommended: Fried Lobster in Chili Basil sauce.
NORTH GATE NIGHT MARKET
(CHANG PHUAK GATE NIGHT MARKET)
A sprawling night market focused entirely on food with a great mix of food and drinks. During the day this area is just car dealership with a few small shops but when the sun goes down it becomes a foodie hotspot. Be sure to stop by the world famous “Cowboy Hat Lady” for a dish of Khao Kha Moo (Slow-Braised Pork Leg with Rice).
Pictured and Recommended: Khao Kha Moo (Slow-Braised Pork Leg with Rice). Even Anthony Bourdain has a segment of him at the North Gate Night Market in Chiang Mai.
FAVORITE RESTAURANTS
Our favorite restaurants featuring impressive and expansive menus. Arrive hungry and order a lot because we’ve found that their menus are top notch.
*ROYAL THAI*
KHRUA ACHAN SAIYUT
If there’s one restaurant that you have to try in Chiang Mai, this is the one. Modeled after what the Royal Thai Family has eaten in their palaces throughout their dynasties, you’ll find exquisitely and deliciously crafted dishes that resemble art more than food. Flavorful as they are beautiful, every dish we’ve tried has been simply incredible.
Pictured and Recommended: Seriously, just show the server this picture and order everything we did! You won’t be disappointed.
*TRADITIONAL NORTHERN THAI
(LANNA)*
HUEN MUAN JAI
Traditional Northern Thai Food, known as Lanna, is not known for being spicy but instead is mild with accents of sour, herbs, and spices.
Pictured and Recommended: Sai Oua (Northern Thai Sausage with fresh herbs and spices), Naam Phrik Makheua Yao (Spicy eggplant and chili pepper dip), and a side of sticky rice.
*TRADITIONAL THAI*
KHAOMAO-KHAOFANG
A large restaurant just outside the city hidden away in a jungle oasis serving up a huge menu with every traditional Thai dish that you can imagine. The only thing better than the jungle ambiance and decor is the food. Order anything that catches your eye because this is one of those rare restaurants where everything on the menu is truly delicious. We’ve yet to be disappointed.
Pictured and Recommended: Grilled River Prawns.
*GRILLED AND ROASTED*
ก๊วยจั๊บช้างม่อย ตัดใหม่
A hidden local joint specializing in their charcoal grilled and roasted meats. You’ll be able to enjoy some of the best Chicken Satay (mild curry chicken skewers with a coconut dipping sauce) and Crispy Pork Belly that you’ve had in your life.
Pictured and Recommended: Chicken Satay and Crispy Pork Belly Over Rice.
*READY TO HEAT AND EAT MEALS*
7-ELEVEN (FOR REAL)
While maybe not the most gourmet or fancy Thai food, these little stores offer delicious and high quality ready to heat and eat dishes that’ll put most American Thai restaurants to shame. You’ll find 7-Eleven stores everywhere within the city and they’re usually open 24 hours for your late night cravings.
Pictured and Recommended: Minced Chicken with fresh herbs over friend rice.
Also, highly recommended is the famous Larb burger. Chicken and Pork Larb patty sandwiched between two sticky rice patties.
Map: They’re literally everywhere!
THAI SIGNATURE DISHES
Some of Thailand’s most famous and must try dishes.
*Every dish can be customized to your preferred spice level and the Northern Region of Thailand is actually known for *not* being spicy. Most of the dishes we’re served are actually not spicy enough for us so we have to ask for “Thai Spicy”.
SOMTUM
(PAPAYA SALAD)
A Northern Thai signature made of freshly shredded papaya with garlic, chilies, tomatoes, carrots, and green beans tossed in a sweet, sour, and tangy tamarind sauce.
Recommended Location:
LARB
(MINCED BEEF SALAD)
The original lettuce wrap, this fresh and flavorful dish mixes minced beef with cilantro, mint, chilies, and a hint lime juice and roasted ground rice. I usually skip the greens and add on a side of sticky rice for a great combo.
Recommended Location:
TOM YUM
(HOT AND SOUR SOUP)
A fragrant and intoxicating soup made from fresh lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, cilantro, garlic, and shallots.
Recommended with shrimp, prawns, or chicken. This dish comes in two variations with one being a clear broth and the other being a creamy coconut broth. Both are delicious!
Recommended Location:
PAD KRAPOW
(STIR FRIED PORK AND BASIL)
A simple yet satisfyingly delicious dish made from ground pork, crushed garlic, Thai chilies, and fresh Holy Basil. Typically served with rice, an over easy egg, and garnished with cucumbers. A wildly popular and delicious Thai icon, this dish is often eaten for breakfast, lunch, and dinner by locals.
Recommended Location:
KHAO MAN GAI
(HAINANESE CHICKEN RICE)
A simple and mild but flavorful and satisfying dish. Poached chicken with mildly seasoned rice served with cucumbers and a house spicy sauce on the side.
Recommended Location:
NOODLES
Noodles are a Thai staple and Chiang Mai doesn’t disappoint.
BOAT NOODLES
If you like pho, you’ll love Boat Noodles. It’s like pho’s more sophisticated and adventurous Thai cousin. Rich flavorful beef bone broth, thin rice noodles, and your choice of meat. Served with scallions, cilantro, morning glory, and pork cracklings.
Recommended Location:
KHAO SOI
A Northern Thai original with flat egg noodles in a thick creamy yellow curry chicken broth. Rich in curry but not overpowering, a hint of spice, and creamy mild coconut finish. Garnished with crispy fried noodles.
Recommended Location:
PAD THAI
Once you try authentic, local, and fresh Pad Thai you might not want to eat it back at home ever again. Rice noodles tossed with a mildly sweet, tangy, and spicy tamarind sauce, egg, scallions, and bean sprouts. The protein choices are limitless but we recommend shrimp or prawn.
Recommended Location:
FOOD SAFETY
Thailand is world renowned for is food but there’s just a few things to keep in mind so you’re able to enjoy your food and adventures to the fullest.
DON’T DRINK THE TAP WATER
The bottom line is that you shouldn’t drink tap water in Thailand (or really anywhere else while traveling). Bottled drinking water and various soft drinks (sodas, smoothies, or juices) are always offered at restaurants and are usually very inexpensive. Unlike in the US where bottled water with a meal can cost as much as $5+ (lookin’ at you O’Hare!) a 500ml bottle of drinking or mineral water can be purchased for around only $.50!
Additionally, if you’re getting food from a street vendor that doesn’t offer beverages, bottled drinking water and soft drinks can be found easily and inexpensively at many local shops including our favorite and the ubiquitous 7-Eleven. In fact, bottled drinking water is so easy and inexpensive to find that we stopped carrying our water bottle with us because it’s much more convenient to pick up an ice cold drink for cheap on the go.
FOOD POISONING
With all of the ridiculous and mass amounts of food that we’ve eaten in Thailand, you’ll be happy to hear that we’ve never gotten food poisoning during our many adventures! Just use your best judgement when choosing what to eat and you’ll be just fine. For example, I like to stick with food that’s made fresh or has just been made. I stay away from some foods that look like they’ve been sitting out for long periods of time at room temperature. Of course, never eat any type of raw or under-cooked mats either. From what I’ve experienced, most food related issues are due to people not being used to the flavorful and “exotic” foods as opposed to an actual food-borne illness.
*If you’re really worried, just stick to dine in restaurants but I personally prefer street vendors or food market stalls and can vouch for their safety.
HAND WASHING AND HAND SANITIZER
Wherever you go, always keep a small bottle of hand sanitizer and a pack of hygiene wipes. Some places won’t always have soap and warm water to wash your hands and you should always want to wash your hands before you put anything into your mouth. This is especially helpful when you’re at an outdoor market or enjoying food from a street vendor.
DIFFERENT STANDARDS
The bottom line is that Thailand, like much of the rest of the world, doesn’t have the same exact food service hygiene standards as the US. You might not always see hairnets and gloves but just remember that you’re in a different country with different standards. The locals do their best to keep things clean and sanitary and if it’s good enough for the locals, it’s good enough for us. After all, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do”.
Mystic Mekong 