Street Eats In Chiang Mai

My friend paid me a visit recently, expecting to have the experience of all Chiang Mai’s culinary delights. So, as he wished, I provided the perfect program as follows… Firstly, a dish of Hai-Lum steamed rice with chicken near to Chiang Mai Railway Station Although not a local food type, the traditional style of cooking used here provides an excellent flavor making it a place well worth a visit.

Moving down the road we had some Chinese buns at Salabao Vikul on nearby Charoenmuang Road, before sampling a bowl of sweet sesame-stuffed dumplings in ginger syrup at a place opposite the Warm Up Café on Nimmanhaeminda Road.



Afterwards came one of our most popular Lanna dishes; Khao Soi egg noodle curry soup. And there are certainly plenty of restaurant where this dish is served, so I would recommend Khao Soi Mae Manee, situated on the Mae Rim-Fang Road in a small alley next to the Department of Labor, open daily from 8 am.

In the afternoon, after some shopping at Kad Luang Market, my Bangkokian friend appeared to try something from each of the surrounding food vendors! Whenever I go to Kad Luang, I usually have a cup of fresh coffee or young coconut ice-cream. Café de Laujou was our next destination, located inside Laujou Alley opposite the Chinese temple. Aromatic coffee is served daily in this lovely little place. The coconut ice-cream can be found opposite 7-Eleven. This is also made fresh daily, and from 9 am – 5 pm everyday. Two thumbs up from my friend for the day’s dessert, too.

Of courses, it was impossible for him to try all the good restaurants in Chiang Mai in just a couple of days, for there truly are a massive number of them. From those in the city locale to those spread along the banks of the River Ping. However, as my friend requested local cuisine once again, I look him to the Duang Sompong restaurant in Mae Rim District. This eatery is one of the local people’s favorites. What are the recommended items? Well, every dish served here is worth recommending, so I suggest you get along there and find out why. As we finished dinner at 9 pm, the night was still young, so we went to chill out of The North Gate, the perfect place for fine live Jazz with competitively priced drinks.

The clock turned midnight. I jokingly asked my friend if he was ready for another meal. The answer was yes! So we moved to the renowned Kai Thieng Kuen (Midnight Fried Chicken) at Kampaengdin Road, the Thai rice noodle bar at San Pakhoi Market, and finally Chok Sompet where we enjoyed a warm bowl of traditional rice porridge.

This signified the end of the night, but as my friend pointed out, Chiang Mai is a never ending food experience, that just keeps deliciously rolling on…