Chiang Mai Food Diary: What We Ate in 4 Days!
Chiang Mai, and Thailand in general, is a true culinary paradise. We're talking vibrant, tropical flavors with local ingredients, a kick of spice, and beautiful presentation that makes your mouth water. And let's not forget the incredible variety of drinks – 100% fresh fruit juices, amazing Thai iced tea, smoothies, and tantalizing fruit shakes!
For this trip, we ditched Bangkok and headed to Chiang Mai (with a day trip to Chiang Rai, about 170km away). We wanted a more laid-back, less hectic vibe than the capital could offer.
Maybe it was the weather, but it was HOT! Our appetites went into overdrive. A little sightseeing and we were instantly hungry and thirsty!
Our Chiang Mai Food Adventures
We were seriously impressed with the decor, service, and plating at the Chiang Mai restaurants. The vibe was authentic and classic, and the staff were super friendly and efficient. The dishes leaned towards the spicier side, but the seasoning was perfect. The flavors were richer and bolder than what we're used to back home, which really woke up our taste buds. The portion sizes were generous, and the food came out quickly. Prices ranged from about 50 - 100k VND (Vietnamese Dong) per dish.
The night markets and food streets were much cheaper, thanks to takeaway options and lower overhead costs. The food wasn't quite as refined as in restaurants, but the variety was amazing. Craving seafood, Western food, sweets, or fast food? You'll find it all here.
You'll find cafes, juice bars, and tea shops on every corner, from stylish spots to small roadside stands and food carts. Something for everyone!
Our Favorite Chiang Mai Eats
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Tri Yaan Na Ros
Stunning colonial-style decor with antiques and old Chiang Mai photos. We ordered Tom Kha Kai (spicy coconut soup with chicken and mushrooms), chicken curry with roti, and Khao Pad (shrimp fried rice). Everything was delicious and the portions were huge. The roti was freshly baked, crispy, and delicious. The Tom Kha and curry were seasoned perfectly.
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Baan Suan Rice (22 Suandok)
A friend recommended this place, raving about their menu with nearly 100 dishes. It's a total homemade experience. The owner takes orders, serves, and handles the bill, while his son cooks. The restaurant is set in their garden, creating a simple and peaceful atmosphere. Truly "home-cooked goodness".
We ordered:
- Pad Thai with crab: Loaded with fresh crab meat.
- Fried mushrooms: Hot and crispy.
- Chicken and vegetable soup: Served with a small burner to keep it hot, this soup was fragrant and flavorful, with juicy chicken wings.
- Stir-fried intestines and tripe with wood ear mushrooms: A unique dish! The owner even double-checked if we were sure we wanted to order it. Turns out, he thought foreigners might not be adventurous enough to try it! But we are and it was amazing.
The presentation was beautiful and the service impeccable. A must-try in Chiang Mai if you want a quieter experience than the Michelin-star restaurants. Note: they are open for lunch and dinner, check hours before going.
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Cafe Thaan Aoan
Located in central Chiang Mai, this place caters to tourists. The decor is a bit industrial, and the staff is quick and speaks good English. It's slightly more expensive than other cafes. We ordered Tom Yum noodles, which were spicy, creamy, and delicious (but a bit small). We also got mango sticky rice.
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Chiang Mai Night Market
This market is a shopping paradise and a food court with 10-15 stalls offering Asian, Western, and Indian food, fresh juices, ice cream, and seafood. Grab your food and enjoy it at the communal tables. There's also a game area and live music.
We tried:
- Freshly squeezed fruit juice
- Khao Soy
- Mixed seafood (octopus, mussels, shrimp)
- Grilled chicken wings
- Ice cream rolls
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Wualai Street Shopping (Saturday Night Market)
This market sells local souvenirs along a long street. We sampled some street food, like grilled sausages, fried fish cakes, and Thai iced tea. Nothing too memorable.
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Suvarnabhumi Airport (Bangkok)
We stopped at this airport on the way back to Ho Chi Minh City. Airport prices, but the quality was excellent. I ordered Pad Krapow Moo Saap (stir-fried pork with basil), which came with a salad, a perfect soft-boiled egg, and fruit. Everything was delicious, not like some airports where the food is expensive and bland.
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Thai Drinks
Because it was so hot, we drank a lot. Mostly Thai iced tea. Sometimes with ice cream or coffee. This Thai iced tea was different from what I tried in Bangkok or Ayutthaya. Those were very sweet, which I didn't like. The Chiang Mai version was richer in tea flavor, almost sugar-free, with light and refreshing milk. I also loved the Thai Tea mixed with coffee. It tasted amazing and kept me energized. I am still craving this and couldn't find it in Vietnam. The fresh fruit juices were also amazing. The Soda Singha was also refreshing.
