Why Choose Chiang Mai for a Unique Culinary Adventure

Want to up your foodie adventures? Can't decide about where to go so you avoid the usual culinary spots? Wondering if there is a place where amazing and unique food exists? Look no further than Chiang Mai, Thailand's hidden gem for culinary adventures. Here's why you should choose Chiang Mai for a unique culinary adventure.

Khao Soi: The Delicious Coconut Noodle Soup

A signature dish in northern Thailand, khao soi is a fragrant noodle soup made with a coconut curry that is a must-try when visiting the area. This hearty dish features tender noodles drenched in a creamy curry broth, topped with crispy noodles, shallots, pickled mustard greens, and a dash of lime. The combination is heavenly, and you'll love the rich flavours and smooth textures that make khao soi a favourite among locals.

Som Tum: To Turn Up the Spice

If you love fresh spicy flavours, do try som tum, which is a traditional Thai green papaya salad. Made from shredded tender green papaya, green beans, cherry tomatoes, peanuts, and chilli, this is a refreshing salad that offers a tantalising balance of sweet, salty, sour, and spicy notes. Best of all, som tum is a popular street food, so you can enjoy it as a healthy and filling snack. Of course, it's also a favourite served at the popular luxury hotels Chiang Mai has to offer. You will find many star-class resorts, similar to Anantara Chiang Mai Resort, feature Thai restaurants where a range of traditional favourites are on the menu.

Gaeng Hang Lay: Pork at its Best

This northern Thai pork curry has an exotic Burmese influence. It is an aromatic dish made from tender chunks of pork, cooked in garlic, ginger, shallots, tamarind, and a blend of spices to make the meal a warm, comforting dish. Also, if you love exploring local cuisine, you must know that the unique combination of tangy and sweet flavours found in gaeng hang is a fine example of the culinary diversity of Chiang Mai.

Moo Ping: A Popular Street Food

Moo ping is a simple dish of pork skewers marinated to perfection. It’s a popular street food served at stalls all around Chiang Mai. The tender pork bites are marinated in a flavoursome mix of soy sauce, coriander, garlic, and coconut milk and then grilled. What you get is a juicy, pork skewer to sink your teeth into.

Khao Kha Moo: The Best Pork and Rice

This lovely comfort food is also a popular street food found in Chiang Mai. Khao moo is made with tender pork leg, that’s braised and served on a bed of fragrant jasmine rice. It’s accompanied by pickled mustard greens and a tangy, sweet and savoury sauce.

Khan Toke: An Authentic Experience

khan toke is not a dish, it is a traditional style of dining in Chiang Mai. It's perfect if you don't know what to try and want to experiment with the variety of dishes in Northern Thailand. This traditional meal is served at a low table so you communally sit on cushions around it. Khan toke comprises of an array of dishes, including crispy pork rinds, northern Thai sausages, sticky rice and more. It is ideal for sampling a variety of dishes in one go.

Laab: A Meaty Salad

Indulge and enjoy the bold flavors of laab, which is a spicy minced meat salad that is well-established as a staple northern Thai dish. Made from minced meat, fresh herbs, toasted rice powder, chili, and lime juice, this dish is bursting with flavour. It can also be made with chicken, pork, or mushroom and is a must try for those of you seeking exotic dishes to try.