A small city in Northern Thailand surrounded by hills and lush-green forests, Chiang Mai has turned into one of the most visited destinations in Southeast Asia. The beautiful temples dotted all over and in the outskirts of Chiang Mai draw visitors from all over the world. However it is the amazing array of Thai food in Chiang Mai that this city serves which makes for an authentic Thai experience. From the numerous hip cafes and the local restaurants to the bustling food markets, Chiang Mai has some of the most lip-smacking food when it comes to Thai cuisine.
During the eight days in Chiang Mai, I have been part of several misadventures including snakebites and an almost damaged iPhone. However, sampling the different foods in the night markets did make things better. Here are some of the best foods I have had in Chiang Mai.
The green Mango salad or Som Tam Mamuang was the first thing I ate after reaching Chiang Mai. This is one of my all time favorite dishes in Thai cuisine. The sweet, sour and spicy flavors of this dish along with the fruity raw Mango makes for a mouth watering combination.
The two food markets at the Chiang Mai night bazaar are a heaven for food lovers. Cheap and tasty, the range of foods vary from Thai, Seafood, Indian, Chinese, Steaks and a lot of fruit stuff. The prices range from as low as 20 Baht to 250 Baht. The two food markets are the best places to have local fare at affordable prices with a very social dining setting. The Pad Thai below was for just 20 Baht and it was one of the best we have had.
Khao Soi – A special mention about this this dish that is specific to Northern Thailand and Laos. Arguably the best food in Chiang Mai, this dis comprises of egg noodles and deep fried crispy noodles served with curry sauce containing coconut milk. This dish is not that easily found elsewhere apart from Northern Thailand.
Getting a taste of authentic Thai food and culture is what northern Thailand is about apart from the beautiful landscapes. The Thai food is so much more than the usual Tom Yum or Pineapple Fried Rice if one moves towards the north in places like Chiang Mai, Pai, Isaan. There is probably no better way than the local food markets if you want to taste the local fare at affordable prices and in a shorter timeline.
The one thing about Thailand is the variety of fruits and food. Especially the first. In fact, I just told a friend to watch out for those – the variety is incredible. I can live on a fruit diet here. Glad to see that even Chiang Mai does not disappoint on the same.
You are absolutely right. The fruits are so fresh and there is such variety that you are spoilt for choice
There are very few things I enjoy more than exploring local food markets in a new place. They always seem to have the best of goodies to satisfy the glutton in me. The markets in Chiang Mai seem amazing and full of a variety of food items.
I am visiting Thailand probably during the next month and two of my friends are vegetarians. I guess they’ll have to spend their time eating salads onlyh.
Snake bites and damaged iphone? Whoa! That’s one heck of a trip indeed!
Food at Chiang Mai does look interesting. But is it veggie friendly as well?
Thailand is veggie friendly. Infact, even the famed Thai curries can be made completely vegetarian on request and the chefs are happy to do so
When in Chiang Mai, my friend recommended me a restaurant called Coconut Shell to try authentic northern Thai food. There I have enjoyed in the most delicious Khao Soi and Tom Kha Khai ever. I love the Northern Thai cuisine!
I am seriously hungry after reading this! Some fantastic food photos – I particularly like how you captured the sheen of the gyoza
Yummy images! I am always and forever fan of Thai cuisine!
Ok I haven’t been to Chiang Mai, but I have been to Bangkok and I agree, the food in Thailand is so amazing! Your photos brought me right back and now my mouth is truly watering. I might need to order Thai food for dinner tonight!
Wow, these foods look so delicious! I would definitely like to try some Khao Soi when I visit Northern Ireland or Laos.
These photos are making me hungry! I love gyoza and glass noodles, and Khao Soi sounds really delicious. I need to visit Chiang Mai!
When I travel somewhere I always try to experience as many new local cuisine dishes as I can. On one of your pictures you showed a dragon fruit, which is absolutely my favorite from all the exotic fruits, would love to try it. Which dish would you recommend the most for me when I go to the Chiang Mai?
Khao Soi for sure…
Asian food is our favorite and with touch of Thai is heaven. These pictures are drool worthy especially the Mango Salad and the glass noodles. Thanks for sharing and making us hungry 😉
Chiang Mai is a truly a food haven. They serve foods that are only found in their region. I particularly liked their steamed gyozas and their wonderful arrays of fruits.
As a FOOD and TRAVEL writer and blogger, this is my dream post! I have been to Ciang Mai many years ago, and remember how good the food was then and it seems to be just as good now too! Fabulous photos and what a colourful array of deliciousness! Karen
Thai food is so delicious and I am never disappointed whenever I eat it. I love all the pictures and wish I could grab some of it through the screen!
I’d love to go to Thailand to explore the culture and of course its gastronomy. I’ve tried Thai food here in Europe but I bet it is not the same as what you would get over there!
For the best and authentic Thai food, Thailand is the only place. And I am saying that after having eaten Thai food in different countries
I love Thai food. My all time favourites are the green and red curry with plain rice.. These looks great too will try them/something similar if I get a chance.
Chiang Mai is definitely a must for most travelers – solo backpackers or group tourists! Food and Accommodations are cheap and people are so friendly, sometimes I think Thailand is a paradise 😀
The best thing I know about Thailand is not just the beaches and picturesque temples, but also their food. One of my favorite is the steamed Gyosa. Really delicious!:D
I’ve heard a lot abotu Chiang Mai and I was so curious about this destination/ island. I’d love to go, but moslty for the food after this post! The food seems amazing and delicious, and todly what I’ll hit for!
I wish I didn’t read this 😛 It’s made me too hungry! I’d kill for some mango salad and Khao Soi pictured there. Loved Chiang Mai – was there for the Vegetarian festival last year which was a super treat 🙂
That food looks delicious! I love the Thai food we get in the United States, but obviously it would be better to eat it in Thailand. And I’d especially like to try the special Khao Soi!
I have never been much in Asia, but I can only imagine that the food is absolutely amazing once in the Country. Do they do much Vegetarian Food?
Mmm that food looks absolutely delicious. Thank goodness I already ate!
Delicious looking photos! I have never eaten Thai food in Thailand, need to try that.
The food looks so colourful and spectacular, almost too good to eat. A proverbial case of having the cake and eating it too!
I admit I don’t really know much about Thai food except for the pad thai, and the rest dishes I’ve tried didn’t leave a lasting impression so I don’t remember them at all. This made me re-think about trying Thai dishes. The green mango salad is mouthwatering!
Eemmm… all the food looks delicious
To bad we’ve already been to Chiang Mai! Your blog makes me want to again. And it makes me hungry 😉
I couldn’t agree more, going to local food markets is always the best way to experience both the authentic local food and culture! It’s something I always do too when traveling to a foreign country.
As for night markets, though, I’ve only been to some in China, but Thai ones do really seem to have a particular charm of their own, plus those dishes look absolutely delicious! 🙂
Take you for taking me to a gastronomic trip to Thailand even with your pictures.
Thailand is one of the place I long wanted to visit for historical reasons and the beach.
But this is one is another reason. The mango salad is very intriguing and Pad Thai too!
What’s your other favorite food from Thailand mate?
cheers! http://www.masterryo.wordpress.com
Thai Green curry used to be my favorite but recently it has been replaced by Khao Soi as my current favorite 🙂
Gyoza, dragon fruit and glass noodles!!! Oh so yummy! I do want to try the Khao Soi. I’m curious on how coconut milk can be used in curry sauce! 😀
I need to visit this! The food seems so good thanks for taking lovely photos. I’ve tried Pad Thai before and it was amazing.
Ahh Thailand. Each city offers something special–Phuket, Bangkok and Chiang Mai all have their different personalities. The food especially, everywhere you go in Thailand looks special. Look at all those exotic fruits!and the Khao Soi! yum 🙂
Wow I love Pad Thai! I haven’t been to Bangkok yet but I’d love to taste Khao soi.I like spicy food but sometimes my tummy can’t handle it. ~Madz https://traveldelish.blogspot.com
This made me hungry!!!! Food looks tasty and oh I love steamed gyoza!!!!
That gyoza and glass noddles are my favorite Thai dishes! I really want to try them in this place where it’s really authentic!
I enjoy Thai food. Love especially the glass noddles. The green mangoes are perfect as well for their bagoong rice. I seldom go out and if given the change to leave house this week, I would want to have dinner or lunch at a Thai restaurant.
First heard of Chiang Mai from my mom. She told me that she prefers that place over Bangkok. The food in Chiang Mai looks delicious. Their Pad Thai is a different variety which I like to try. – Me-An of http://yogoandcream.com
Oh, how’s your snakebites? I love Thai Noodles though I never been in Chiang Mai yet. I once tasted the Green Mango Salad but I guess it’s not in Thailand.
I really enjoyed your post. Sadly, i’m not very familiar with Thai food. After reading this and looking at all that deliciousness, i can’t wait to try it out 🙂
If eyes could eat then my eyes would have popped out of its sockets. Beautiful photos and tasty food. I especially like some of the Thai foods you featured. Gyoza… Glass noodles… Yummy!
All this food is making me hungry! It looks amazing, I love Thai food!
Aah, I remember my trip to Thailand. What a great foodie place. I enjoyed eating from all the different street vendors.
Chiang Mai really is a special place! It makes me want to go back and try a bigger variety of food! Thanks for sharing.