Top 8 Food in Chiang Mai

Food is the highlight of Chiang Mai's tour. Chiang Mai is located in the valley of 305 meters above sea level in the northern part of Bangkok. Compared with the food in Bangkok and southern Thailand, The food in Chiang Mai is much more herbal and spicy because of Thai Kaffir Leaves, Lemongrass, and so on. Each spice has a strong scent, but they are mixed properly and formed into Chiang Mai delicious cuisines. Also, milder curries and the heavier use of ginger and turmeric is the key. Here are the top 8 food in Chiang Mai you must try.

1. Khao Soi (Egg Noodle Curry)  

Khao Soi or khao soy is a Chin Haw dish served widely in Myanmar, Laos and northern Thailand.   Khao Soi consists of two different noodles – egg noodles and fried egg noodles. They served with a strong yellow curry and red onion, lime, pickle, and chili sauce. Therefore, this smoky, coconut curry has a distinct taste. It is definitely the No.1 must-try food in Chiang Mai.

2. Tom Yum Goong (Spicy Shrimp Soup) 

In the name of Tom Yum Goong, ‘Tom Yum Goong’ means hot and sour, 'gong' means shrimp. You can find Tom Yum Goong everywhere in Chiang Mai and Thailand, which makes Tom Yum Goong a representative food in Thailand. In recent years, Tom Yum Goong has been popularized around the world. Tom Yum Kung soup is extremely spicy, and there is also a lot of curry in it, but after getting used to it, many people will fall in love with it.

3. Gaeng Hang Lay (Northern Pork Belly Curry)  

Gaeng Hang Lay is one of the most iconic dishes of Northern Thailand, and arguably one of the tastiest! The main ingredients of this dish are yellow curry, Thai sweet horn, pork, green onion and shrimp paste. It originated in Burma, and it has been modified into a less oily version in Northern Thailand. Since no coconut milk is added, the curry soup is lighter, but it also has a rich flavor.

4. Thai Pineapple Fried Rice 

Using the aroma of Thai fragrant rice, paired with pineapple and assorted vegetables. It tastes salty, sour, and sweet at the same time! Just eat a bite will make you appetitive. If the pineapple serves the rice as a bowl, the visually appealing effect will stimulate your appetite even more. Also, Thai Pineapple Fried Rice is low in calories and totally healthy. Just enjoy the best combination of sweet and spicy flavors.

5. Sai Oua (Grilled Herb Sausage) 

Sai Ua is an ironic dish of Northern Thailand,“Sai Ua”is one of the most flavorful sausages. The pork is mixed with an aromatic curry paste, grilled, then served with sticky rice and fresh vegetables. It looks very similar to northeastern-style sausage when seen on a charcoal grill but tastes drastically different – sai oua is more meaty and rich with herbal aromas as well as chilies.

6. Yam-Som O 

This hot salad mixed the refreshing grapefruit into coconut milk, red curry, sauce, chili oil, and sugar-mixed sauce, and adds shrimp or chicken. Some restaurants also put roasted coconut or chopped peanuts. Yam-Som O is super healthy, and good for digestive system.

7. Laab Gai  

Laab Gai is a Thai salad made from chopped or tiny pieces of protein. Originally from the Issan region, northeast of Thailand but also from Laos, it can be prepared with beef, pork, chicken, duck, shrimp, white fish or tofu for a vegetarian version. This famous dish is iconic of northeastern Thai cuisine, and it's probably the healthiest chicken salad you've ever seen!

8. Ho Mok Pla (Thai Steamed Curried Fish Custard) 

Ho Mok Pla (Hor Mok Pla) or Thai Steamed Curried Fish Custard is a healthy and light dish commonly served in Thai cuisine. The dish consists of curry, fish or other kind of meat wrapped in banana leaves, and is cooked by steaming. In the Thai language, Ho means to wrap or cover. Mok refers to a traditional cooking method in which food is placed on banana leaves and cooked above charcoal. Pla means fish.

To find out more, please visit our Chiang Mai section.