There is perhaps no better way to restore your energy after a long day of sightseeing than with a great meal. If you plan on visiting Chiang Mai, Thailand, you’ll be delighted to hear that the types of food available are as colorful and varied as the places you will visit during your stay. There really is a little something for everyone, with 5-star restaurants sitting alongside street vendors hawking all sorts of delicious wares. It is the Chiang Mai street food that best represents the culinary preferences of the Thai people, but that’s not to say that you won’t get a taste of the culture in the many restaurants found in the city.
It’s not everyone who is an adventurer when it comes to trying new foods, but you can never go wrong with chicken. There is one place in Chiang Mai that does chicken like no other, which is why it is a huge hit with locals as well as visitors. SP Chicken is the place to go if you are in the mood for some poultry unlike anything you have ever tasted before. There are countless chicken dishes available, and it really doesn’t matter which one you try, the general consensus is that you will end up believing it to be the best chicken you have ever tried.
If you are looking for Chiang Mai restaurants that are more on the upscale side, there are plenty to choose from. The House Restaurant is pricy, but it offers fusion dishes that are a perfect blend of east and west. It’s a great place to sample the cuisine of Thailand, but in a way that will still feel somewhat familiar to you. If it’s tea you are after, you can’t do much better than the amazing selection of teas on offer at Kalapela. You will also find wine and cheese plates on the menu, but make no mistake, this is the place to go if you want to sample some wonderful Thai tea.
As we mentioned at the beginning of this piece, some of the most popular food in Chiang Mai can be found served by street vendors. You will find that certain parts of the city turn into outdoor pop-up restaurants, as vendors wheel in carts to serve up some of the most amazing street food imaginable. It can be tough to know where to start, so try to find out which of the vendors the locals frequent, as that is usually a sign of quality and authenticity.
One of the most popular local foods is noodle soup, and if it sounds basic, trust us, it isn’t. The noodles themselves are an art form, and the soup can contain almost limitless combinations of meat and leafy vegetables. Barbecue is another popular dish, and is usually served with kaaonieow (sticky rice), which is molded into balls by hand. Curry and other assorted noodle dishes are always available from street vendors, and the prices are always reasonable. Essentially, what we are saying is that in Chiang Mai, you can get a great meal to suit every taste and budget.
