Food · Chiang Mai · Thailand
What to eat in Chiang Mai
The dishes, drinks and food experiences that define Chiang Mai, and where locals actually eat them.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Nawit science, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Start with Khao soi, Sai ua and Nam prik noom. Compare two or three khao soi shops at lunchtime, noting the differences in broth, chicken or beef and toppings. Northern food is eaten with sticky rice, rolled into a ball with the fingers of the right hand.
Key facts
- Signature dish
- Khao soi
- Vegetarian-friendly picks
- 4
- Tipping
- Tipping is not expected but appreciated.
- Food experiences
- 4
10 foods to try
Dish
1.Khao soi
Chiang Mai's signature dish: egg noodles in a rich, mildly spiced coconut curry broth with chicken or beef, topped with crispy fried noodles and served with pickled mustard greens, shallots and lime.
Where: Specialist khao soi shops across the city, which often sell out by mid-afternoon; Muslim-run eateries near the Night Bazaar serve beef versions.
Street food
2.Sai ua
A coarse northern pork sausage seasoned with lemongrass, kaffir lime, galangal and chilli, grilled over charcoal.
Where: Warorot Market and grill stalls at markets and walking streets.
Dish · Vegetarian
3.Nam prik noom
A smoky green-chilli dip made from roasted chillies, garlic and shallots, eaten with sticky rice, pork crackling and fresh vegetables.
Where: Northern Thai restaurants and in jars at Warorot Market.
Dish
4.Gaeng hang lay
A Burmese-influenced pork belly curry with ginger, tamarind and garlic and little coconut milk, rich and slightly sweet.
Where: Northern Thai restaurants and market curry stalls; it is a festival dish at Lanna celebrations.
Dish
5.Khanom jeen nam ngiao
Fermented rice noodles in a tangy tomato and pork broth with dried kapok flowers and blood tofu, garnished with crispy garlic.
Where: Morning noodle stalls in local markets.
Street food
6.Khao kha moo
Pork leg stewed for hours in soy and five-spice, sliced over rice with pickled greens and a boiled egg.
Where: The evening market at Chang Phueak Gate, where a stall run by a vendor in a cowboy hat is famous.
Dish
7.Larb mueang
Northern-style larb made with minced meat and a dry spice mix including long pepper and cumin, quite different from the lime-dressed Isaan version.
Where: Northern Thai restaurants; ask whether it is served raw or cooked.
Bakery · Vegetarian
8.Sticky rice (Khao niao)
Glutinous rice steamed in bamboo baskets and eaten with the fingers; it is the staple of northern meals rather than jasmine rice.
Where: Served with almost every northern meal and sold in small bags at markets.
Dessert · Vegetarian
9.Mango sticky rice
Sweet sticky rice soaked in coconut milk, served with ripe mango; best in the mango season from about March to June.
Where: Dessert stalls at the walking streets and Warorot Market.
Drink · Vegetarian
10.Northern Thai coffee
Arabica grown by hill communities in the north, roasted in the city and served in Nimman's speciality cafés as pour-overs and espresso.
Where: Speciality coffee shops around Nimmanhaemin Road and the old city.
Food experiences
Khao soi lunch crawl
Compare two or three khao soi shops at lunchtime, noting the differences in broth, chicken or beef and toppings.
Cooking class with market tour
Buy herbs and curry pastes with your teacher at a local market, then cook five or six dishes, often including khao soi.
Khantoke dinner
A traditional northern dinner served on low rattan tables with several dishes, often accompanied by Lanna dance performances.
Night-market grazing
Eat your way through the Chang Phueak Gate stalls or the weekend walking-street food courts in temple grounds.
Quick bites and street food
- Sai ua — Warorot Market and grill stalls at markets and walking streets.
- Khao kha moo — The evening market at Chang Phueak Gate, where a stall run by a vendor in a cowboy hat is famous.
- Sticky rice — Served with almost every northern meal and sold in small bags at markets.
Vegetarian options
Of the 10 foods in this guide, 4 are usually vegetarian: Nam prik noom, Sticky rice, Mango sticky rice and Northern Thai coffee. Check preparation with staff, as stocks and fats vary.
Eating out: tips and etiquette
- Northern food is eaten with sticky rice, rolled into a ball with the fingers of the right hand.
- Say 'mai phet' for not spicy; even 'a little spicy' can be very hot.
- Khao soi and noodle shops often open early and close by mid-afternoon.
- Alcohol sales are restricted on Buddhist holy days and in certain hours at shops.
- Tap water is not drinkable, but restaurants serve free drinking water or cheap bottled water.
Tipping
Tipping is not expected but appreciated. Round up the bill in restaurants, leave a small tip for massage therapists and guides, and note that upmarket restaurants may already add a 10% service charge.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Sawasdee krub / ka | Hello (men / women) |
| Khop khun krub / ka | Thank you (men / women) |
| Tao rai? | How much? |
| Mai phet | Not spicy |
| Mai pen rai | No problem / never mind |
| Sawasdee jao | Polite northern Thai greeting |
Questions travellers ask
+What food is Chiang Mai famous for?
Khao soi, Sai ua, Nam prik noom and Gaeng hang lay. Chiang Mai's signature dish: egg noodles in a rich, mildly spiced coconut curry broth with chicken or beef, topped with crispy fried noodles and served with pickled mustard greens, shallots and lime.
+Is Chiang Mai good for vegetarians?
Several local staples are meat-free, including Nam prik noom, Sticky rice and Mango sticky rice.
+Do you tip in restaurants in Chiang Mai?
Tipping is not expected but appreciated. Round up the bill in restaurants, leave a small tip for massage therapists and guides, and note that upmarket restaurants may already add a 10% service charge.