Tom Yum isn’t all there is to Thai food - as with many cuisines around the world, different regions in Thailand are home to different dishes. While you can certainly find your staples in the form of Tom Yum and Pad Thai, why not try these 10 Northern Thai dishes that Chiangmai and its surroundings are known for?
Khao Soi Gai
Khao Soi Gai is essentially chicken noodle soup, with the soup being a coconut-based curry that’s rich and creamy in texture. It is one of Northern Thailand’s most essential dishes and one that you can find almost anywhere in Chiangmai. The tangy curry, paired with tender chicken is originally from Burma, and its unique combination of herbs and spices lend it a taste that’s akin to Indian curry.
Where to eat
Khao Soi Khun Yai: Sri Poom 8 Alley, Tambon Si Phum, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Khao Soi Islam: Charoen Prathet 1 Alley, Tambon Chang Moi, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand
Sai Oua
This special grilled sausage is most commonly found in Northern Thailand and Northeastern Burma, and rivals Khao Soi as the most famous dish in the region. The most common variant contains minced pork, herbs, spices and red curry paste that really gives it a kick. Originally, this was a method of food preparation that locals used to preserve food over several days, and while it used to be a dish that was more often made at home, it has now become widely available in restaurants. You can find it also at many street stalls, though the stall in Mae Hia Fresh Market comes highly recommended.
Gaeng Hang Lay
Another renowned curry dish that has its origins in the neighbouring country of Myanmar, Gaeng Hang Lay is a slow cooked curry that contains an intricate mix of Indian spices, tamarind, ginger and tender pork shoulder or belly. Due to its origins, this curry dish is also sometimes referred to as “Burmese curry” on the menu of local restaurants, something you should note if you want to give it a try. Savour this curry with a plate of sticky rice as the locals do!
Where to eat
Huen Jai Yong: 65 Moo 4, San Kamphaeng Road, Tambon Buak Khang, Chiang Mai, 086 6718710
Dash Teak House: 83/2 Moon Muang Rd Lane 1, ตำบล พระสิงห์ Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Khanom Jeen Nam Ngiaw
While Khao Soi may be the noodle dish that everyone is hyped up about when visiting Northern Thailand, this spicy pork noodle soup is equally deserving of attention. ‘Khanom jeen’ refers to the fresh rice noodles that make up this dish along with ‘nam ngiaw,’ the spicy tomato broth. Pork is usually the main meat in this broth, with dried chicken blood cubes that contribute to give the dish a varied texture.
Where to eat
Khao Soi Mae Sai: 29/1 Ratchaphuek Alley, Tambon Chang Phueak, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50300, Thailand
Huen Phen: 112 Thanon Ratchamanka Phra Sing, Chiang Mai
Laab
Laab, or Larb, is basically a regional meat salad that’s eaten as an appetiser, or as part of a set that includes sticky rice and papaya salad. This is also the staple dish of Isaan food, and is ubiquitous throughout Northern Thailand. The version of laab you’ll find in Chiangmai is usually spicy, and you can pick from different types of meat - pork, chicken, beef or duck. One of the ways you can enjoy laab is by wrapping the meat in a piece of lettuce and just savouring your mini-bundle of salad like that!
Where to eat
Laab Ton Koi: San Na Meng, San Sai District, Chiang Mai 50210, Thailand
Sorn Chai: 25-27 Kotchasarn Rd, Tambon Chang Moi, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50300, Thailand
Kaeng Hor
Kaeng Hor is a Northern Thai mixed curry that, as its name suggests, mixes a lot of ingredients together in a stir fry. Traditionally, the ingredients in this dish are leftovers from food at local religious ceremonies. As it’s a dish made from many types of ingredients that include both meats and vegetables, it’s pretty rich in nutrition! Who says healthy food can’t be tasty? Along with the mixed ingredients there are also some rice noodles inside, helping to balance out the textures of this simple but lovable dish.
Where to eat
Huen Phen: 112 Thanon Ratchamanka Phra Sing, Chiang Mai
Huen Jai Yong: 65 Moo 4, San Kamphaeng Road, Tambon Buak Khang, Chiang Mai, 086 6718710
Tam Khanun
You’re probably familiar with the jackfruit, but this is very much different from how you’re used to seeing it. Tam Khanun is a pounded jackfruit salad that offers a unique twist on a Southeast Asian fruit, and everyone’s favourite bowl of salad. Many who reside in the north of Thailand view the jackfruit as a lucky symbol, and the fruit is prepared on many important occasions like weddings and new year celebrations. Apart from jackfruit, you can also find minced pork, ginger, shallots, garlic, lemongrass, chilis, and so much more!
Where to eat
Huen Muan Jai: 24 Ratchpruek Alley, Chiang Mai 50300 Thailand
Laap Dee Khom: Soi 5, Thanon Arak, Chiang Mai
Jin Tup
This dish is fairly no frills, and consists mainly of beef that’s marinated in fish sauce and salt. After, it’s cooked on a charcoal grill and pounded or shredded, making it a quick snack that’s easy to eat. The smoky beef flavour is highly addictive and pairs well with a good bottle of Thai beer. If you’re looking for something that has reliable and familiar flavours, or just a simple bar snack, this is it.
Where to eat
Pa Daeng Jin Tup: San Sai Luang, San Sai District, Chiang Mai 50210, Thailand
Nam Prik Ong/Nam Prik Noom
Pictured above is Nam Prik Ong, a red chili-based dip. MInced pork, red chilis and tomatoes are combined to produce a sauce that's tangy and fragrant. Its cousin, Nam Prik Noom, is also a chili-based dip, except it uses green chilis instead of red. In some ways, it looks like Mexican salsa, but it contains green chilis, garlic and fresh cilantro. These chilis can be paired with almost anything - from a fresh slice of cucumber to your sticky rice. They’re pretty different when you compare one to the other, but we guarantee that they each pack a wild punch. So come prepared with a glass of iced water - don’t say we didn’t warn you!
Where to eat
Huen Huay Kaew: หมู่ที่ 2 31/2 Huaykaew Rd, Tambon Huai Kaeo, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50300, Thailand
Kaeng Khanun
That’s right, it’s another jackfruit dish. This time, it’s jackfruit curry! Like the world-famous Tom Yum soup, it’s also both spicy and sour, and often comes served with juicy cherry tomatoes and pork. It’s not often you get to try the jackfruit in this unique way, so instead of falling back on ordering Tom Yum soup for the nth time, try this instead! If anything, it’ll be an interesting experience, as the jackfruit absorbs some of the strong spice flavours and lends a different texture to the curry. They’re widely available in most restaurants, so you can get a taste any time during your trip!
