My Top 10 Foods To Eat In Chiang Mai

I finally have some time to compile this blog post that was on my "to-blog" list for so long! I was totally off the radar during the exam week, full concentration is the most important thing and I had to put things away for a while including piano practice! 2016 has been so much more of a hectic year for me but I feel so satisfying each time when I accomplished something. 

Alright back to my topic, here it is for my TOP 10 FOODS TO EAT IN CHIANG MAI!

1. Khao Soi

Khao Soi is a Burmese-influenced dish served widely in northern Laos and northern Thailandm, the name means ''cut rice'' in Thai. This dish came up the first when I googled ''must eat'' in Chiang Mai. It is served with curry-like soup base, it taste very alike with our Malaysian's curry noodle but the soup is not as thick and oily as our curry. The soup base is more clear compare to ours.

The vegetarian Khao Soi (50 bath)

The chicken Khao Soi (50 bath)

2. Mango Stick Rice

Mango stick rice is a must try when visiting to Thailand! We ordered this Mango Stick Rice with Ice Cream and it taste so heavenly! 

(70 bath)

3. Fruit Shake

This is something unexpected for me, fruit shakes are sold in every nook and corner in Chiang Mai. The best drink to hydrate and replenish some vitamins from fresh fruit while travelling!

Left (Mango Fruit Shake)/ Right (Passion Fruit Fruit Shake) - 50 bath each

4. Mango Pancake

I just want to have mango in everything! Well it's a special pancake sold in the restaurant, not a remarkable taste for both me and Xiang but you should try it!

120 bath

We had Khao Soi, Mango Stick Rice, Fruit Shakes and Mango Pancake all in the same restaurant - Sailomjoy.

[Address: 319 Mun Mueang Rd, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai, Thailand]

Now let's move on to other restaurants for more scrumptious Thai local food!

5. Coconut Curry

We had our coconut curry at Chiang Rai the day before, but we had to order this as it's one of the recommendation food in Chiang Mai! The coconut curry we had in Chiang Rai was the ''dry'' one but this one is a ''soupy'' one. Well I personally prefer the ''dry version'' but nonetheless, this isn't bad too!

Coconut curry with shrimp (150 bath)

It's cheaper for chicken or pork, which is only 100 bath. We had the coconut curry in a slightly expensive restaurant - Cooking Love. However it's more of a cozy restaurant with less crowd and air-conditioner.

It was only us at around 12 noon..

[Address: Rachadamnoen Rd Soi 1, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50300, Thailand]

6. Grilled Fish 

This grilled Red Tiliapia with salt very tasty! The fish meat is still juicy after grilling process! It is served with green spicy sauce which elevates the taste of the fish too!

Small - 140 bath/ Large - 160 bath

7. Grilled Prawn

I had this order this, seafood is my favourite and it's so cheap and tasty! Of course, they're fresh and juicy too!

Small - 100 bath/ Large - 150 bath

Both grilled fish and prawns are from the same restaurants - Lert Ros. It is located just right opposite of Cooking Love restaurant.

[Address: Rachadamnoen Rd Soi 1, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai, Thailand]

Now it's time for Chiang Mai local street food!!

8. Baked Banana

This baked banana is served with sweet sauce, very filling dessert and has quite an exquisite taste!

9. Crepe

My all time favourite Thai street food! The locals call it ''Rotee'' which is quite funny, I suppose it is made like the Roti Canai in Malaysia. Quite alike, but in a sweet taste.

With Nutella sauce on top! Yum!

10. Coconut Ice Cream

Last but not least, coconut ice cream!!! Served with toppings like corns, peanuts and also coconut meat!!

Travel Tips:

1. Most of the restaurants are located in the same area, around Phae Gate.

2. Plan your time to visit the restaurants, my suggestions:

• Breakfast or lunch : Sailomjoy
• Lunch : Cooking Love (they were just starting to parepare when we visited at 12noon, it's air-conditioned so it's best time to avoid the heat to enjoy your meal in a more comfortable restaurant)
• Dinner : Lert Ros (not air-conditioned, I assume it can get quite heaty in the afternoon from the grilling)

3. You may try the coffee at Sailomjoy, there are a lot of good review about their coffee art.

4. Most of the street food are at the night market around Phae Gate.

5. Parking is not convenient around Phae Gate, we parked at the parking lot which is located in between Sailomjoy and Lert Ros. Try to look at the right when you drive in the direction from Lert Ros to Sailomjoy. (p/s: parking is free/ discounted when you purchase some food or drinks on selected shops)

6. Make reservation if you choose to dine in the restaurant Lert Ros during dinner hour, it is always full. We reserved after had lunch at Cooking Love by just telling the boss, it's just right opposite!

My Top 4 Things To Do In Chiang Rai

Spending time working on my blog post on a relaxing holiday is quite therapeutic to me, how I wish my everyday are like these...more time for myself, and more time to manage my blog. Xiang and I visited Chiang Mai/ Chiang Rai on mid October this year, read my first post here - http://emmz-s.blogspot.my/2015/10/chiangmai-arrival.html. 

We drove all the way from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai and spent less than a day there, so we didn't get to visit all the tourist attractions that we intended to. Below are my top 4 things to do in Chiang Rai, given our tight schedule.

1. Wat Rong Khun (White Temple)

First place we went after arriving in Chiang Rai, at about three in the afternoon. The weather was scorching hot but it was all worth it when we caught the first glimpse of this magnificent white temple. This is the icon of Chiang Rai city, and the reason why Xiang willing to ride up north. 

It is a Buddhist temple privately owned by Chalermchai Kositpipat. He designed, and constructed himself. He's a great artist, undeniably.  

It was still under construction at the time of our visit, but still the temple look as great.

This tree startled me before entering the temple!

Still...a quick shot with "them"!

Entering the bridge of "the cycle of rebirth"

Hundreds of outreaching hands that symbolize unrestrained desire!

There's a saying not to look at those "hands" when you passed by, if you look at them those hands might pull you down to the hell. How we captured this photo? Camera behind and eyes looking to the front hahaha. 

At the bridge

It was burning hot, don't forget your sunscreen!

Opening Hour: 8.00 am- 6.00 pm

Entrance Fee: FREE

2. Black House (Baan Si Dum)

After visiting White Temple, we went straight to the Black House. We've been told that this is not a temple, but a private place owned by some rich guy and open for visitors. Since I know some basic Thai, it's easy to recognize from the name too. Baan means house whereas Wat means temple, "ok this is a black house, not a black temple", I told myself. Some calls it a museum.

 

The compound is so huge, all the houses are designed in black and only parts of them are open for visitors.

Besides black houses, there are lots of animal skeletons and animal skins too. This place is full of the signs of death, but they were all too creepy so I chose to ignore them, and only focus on the impressive arts and designs.

Follow me to find out what's behind the door. No we're not allowed to enter any houses.

There is an art gallery in the house behind this rock too, but it was so quiet. As a sign of respect I didn't take any pictures of the paintings.

Opening Hour: 9.00 am- 12.00 pm/ 1.00 pm- 5.00 pm

Entrance fee: FREE

3. Thaweesin Hotspring

This is a random spot that we chanced upon when we were driving back to Chiang Mai. We spotted the sky-scraping water splashing from the hot spring well and we decided to make a stop.

Some Thai ladies selling hot spring boiled eggs!

The water isn't very clean, we didn't soak our foot in here.

What we found at the back!

The ancient and forbidden temple, just right outside the hot spring.

Entrance fee: FREE

4. Thai Food

Thai food is much cheaper in Chiang Rai compare to Chiang Mai! We had a satisfying Thai dinner at Moommai Restaurant.

Tomyum Plaa

Seafood in coconut

Fish with lemongrass

They provide outdoor and indoor seats.

Cute dolls everywhere inside and outside of the restaurant!

A cute restaurant to dine in at night, not so sure about day time. There're only fans and no air-conditioner available in this restaurant. 

Travel Tips:

1. Avoid Chiang Rai Night Bazaar as it's really nothing much to discover and very limited food stall. I wasn't too sure about weekend but on a Thursday, it was nothing much to buy or eat.

2. Use Google Map instead of Waze if you're driving.

3. We bought data plan from AIS, it works everywhere even in the rural area! Superb data coverage!

4. White temple is too exposed to the sun, prepare yourself with full sun protection.

5. Other tourist recommendations to discover: Long Neck Village and Golden Triangle.