Culinary Journeys: Street Foods of Chiang Mai Thailand to Try & Video

Culinary Journeys: Street Foods of Chiang Mai Thailand to Try

Table of Contents (Quick Links)

View all our CITY GUIDES

Listen (English voice)

Chiang Mai Thailand Video

Culinary Journeys: Street Foods of Chiang Mai Thailand to Try

Chiang Mai, a vibrant city in northern Thailand, is known for its rich cultural heritage and delicious street food. The streets of Chiang Mai are lined with food stalls offering a wide variety of mouthwatering dishes that will tantalize your taste buds. From savory noodles to sweet desserts, Chiang Mai’s street food scene is a culinary adventure not to be missed. In this article, we will explore ten must-try street foods in Chiang Mai, each offering a unique and flavorful experience.

Khao Soi

  • Egg Noodles: Khao Soi is a popular dish in Chiang Mai, consisting of egg noodles served in a rich and creamy curry broth.
  • Khao Soi is a must-try street food in Chiang Mai. The dish features egg noodles cooked to perfection and served in a flavorful curry broth. The broth is made with a combination of aromatic spices, coconut milk, and chicken or beef. The dish is then topped with crispy fried noodles, pickled cabbage, shallots, and a squeeze of lime for a burst of tanginess. The combination of textures and flavors in Khao Soi is truly delightful.

  • Curry Broth: The curry broth is the star of the dish, with its creamy texture and aromatic flavors.
  • The curry broth in Khao Soi is what sets it apart from other noodle dishes. The broth is made by simmering a mixture of red curry paste, coconut milk, and chicken or beef stock. The result is a creamy and fragrant broth that is both comforting and satisfying. The curry broth is the perfect complement to the tender egg noodles and the toppings, creating a harmonious balance of flavors.

Keywords: Khao Soi, egg noodles, curry broth, flavorful, aromatic, coconut milk

Chiang Mai Thailand Image 1:

Chiang Mai Thailand

Sai Oua

  • Spicy Sausage: Sai Oua is a traditional northern Thai sausage made with ground pork, herbs, and spices.
  • Sai Oua is a popular street food in Chiang Mai, known for its bold and spicy flavors. The sausage is made by mixing ground pork with a variety of aromatic herbs and spices, including lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, galangal, and chili. The mixture is then stuffed into casings and grilled or fried to perfection. The result is a juicy and flavorful sausage with a tantalizing kick.

  • Aromatic Herbs and Spices: The combination of lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, galangal, and chili gives Sai Oua its unique and aromatic flavors.
  • The aromatic herbs and spices used in Sai Oua play a crucial role in its distinct taste. Lemongrass adds a refreshing citrusy note, while kaffir lime leaves provide a subtle hint of citrus and earthiness. Galangal, a relative of ginger, adds a warm and peppery flavor, and chili brings the heat. The combination of these ingredients creates a symphony of flavors that makes Sai Oua a standout street food in Chiang Mai.

Keywords: Sai Oua, spicy sausage, ground pork, aromatic herbs, spices, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, galangal, chili

Khao Kha Moo

  • Braised Pork Leg: Khao Kha Moo is a popular street food dish featuring tender and flavorful braised pork leg.
  • Khao Kha Moo is a hearty and comforting dish that is loved by locals and visitors alike. The dish consists of tender and succulent braised pork leg served with rice and a flavorful broth. The pork leg is slow-cooked in a mixture of soy sauce, Chinese five-spice powder, and aromatics until it becomes tender and infused with flavor. The result is a melt-in-your-mouth pork leg that pairs perfectly with the fragrant rice and the savory broth.

  • Savory Broth: The savory broth in Khao Kha Moo adds an extra layer of flavor to the dish.
  • The savory broth in Khao Kha Moo is made by simmering the braising liquid, which is a combination of soy sauce, Chinese five-spice powder, and aromatics. The broth is rich and flavorful, complementing the tender pork leg and the rice. The combination of the braised pork leg, rice, and savory broth creates a satisfying and comforting meal.

Keywords: Khao Kha Moo, braised pork leg, tender, flavorful, soy sauce, Chinese five-spice powder, savory broth

Chiang Mai Thailand Image 2:

Chiang Mai Thailand

Mango Sticky Rice

  • Ripe Mango: Mango Sticky Rice is a popular Thai dessert made with ripe mangoes and glutinous rice.
  • Mango Sticky Rice is a sweet and indulgent dessert that is a must-try when visiting Chiang Mai. The dessert features ripe mangoes paired with sticky rice cooked in coconut milk and sweetened with palm sugar. The combination of the creamy coconut-infused rice, the sweet mangoes, and the caramel-like flavor of the palm sugar creates a heavenly dessert that is both refreshing and satisfying.

  • Glutinous Rice: Glutinous rice, also known as sticky rice, is a staple in Thai cuisine and gives Mango Sticky Rice its unique texture.
  • The key ingredient in Mango Sticky Rice is glutinous rice, which is soaked, steamed, and then mixed with coconut milk and palm sugar. The result is a sticky and slightly chewy rice that is the perfect base for the sweet mangoes. The glutinous rice adds a unique texture to the dessert, making it a delightful treat for the taste buds.

Keywords: Mango Sticky Rice, ripe mango, glutinous rice, coconut milk, palm sugar, sweet, refreshing

Pad Thai

  • Rice Noodles: Pad Thai is a classic Thai dish made with stir-fried rice noodles.
  • Pad Thai is one of the most famous Thai dishes and a staple street food in Chiang Mai. The dish consists of stir-fried rice noodles, eggs, tofu, and a combination of shrimp, chicken, or beef. The noodles are cooked to perfection and then tossed in a tangy and slightly sweet sauce made with tamarind, fish sauce, and palm sugar. The dish is garnished with bean sprouts, crushed peanuts, and lime wedges for added freshness and flavor.

  • Tamarind Sauce: The tangy and slightly sweet tamarind sauce is what gives Pad Thai its distinctive flavor.
  • The tamarind sauce used in Pad Thai is made by combining tamarind pulp with fish sauce, palm sugar, and other flavorful ingredients. The sauce adds a tangy and slightly sweet taste to the dish, balancing out the richness of the noodles and the other ingredients. The combination of the stir-fried rice noodles, the tamarind sauce, and the garnishes creates a harmonious blend of flavors that is simply irresistible.

Keywords: Pad Thai, rice noodles, stir-fried, tamarind sauce, tangy, sweet, fish sauce, palm sugar

Roti

  • Flatbread: Roti is a popular street food snack in Chiang Mai, consisting of thin and flaky flatbread.
  • Roti is a delicious and versatile street food snack that can be enjoyed in various ways. The flatbread is made by kneading dough and then stretching it until it becomes thin and elastic. It is then cooked on a griddle until it turns golden brown and develops a crispy texture. Roti can be served plain or filled with various ingredients such as banana, chocolate, or condensed milk. It is a delightful treat that can be enjoyed as a sweet or savory snack.

  • Condensed Milk: Condensed milk is often drizzled over Roti to add sweetness and creaminess.
  • Condensed milk is a common topping for Roti in Chiang Mai. It adds a touch of sweetness and creaminess to the crispy flatbread, making it even more indulgent. The combination of the flaky Roti and the rich condensed milk creates a mouthwatering snack that is loved by locals and tourists alike.

Keywords: Roti, flatbread, thin, flaky, versatile, condensed milk, sweet, savory

Kanom Krok

  • Coconut Pancakes: Kanom Krok are small coconut pancakes that are a popular street food snack in Chiang Mai.
  • Kanom Krok is a delightful sweet treat that is perfect for snacking on the go. These small coconut pancakes are made by pouring a batter made with rice flour, coconut milk, and sugar into a special pan with half-spherical molds. The pancakes are then cooked until they become golden brown on the outside and soft and custard-like on the inside. Kanom Krok is often enjoyed with a sprinkle of shredded coconut on top for added texture and flavor.

  • Rice Flour: Rice flour is the main ingredient in Kanom Krok and gives the pancakes their unique texture.
  • Rice flour is used to make the batter for Kanom Krok. It gives the pancakes a slightly chewy and tender texture, making them different from regular pancakes. The addition of coconut milk and sugar adds a hint of sweetness and richness to the pancakes, making them a delightful treat for coconut lovers.

Keywords: Kanom Krok, coconut pancakes, sweet, rice flour, coconut milk, sugar, custard-like

Chiang Mai Noodles

  • Pork or Chicken: Chiang Mai Noodles are a popular street food dish featuring either pork or chicken.
  • Chiang Mai Noodles, also known as Khao Soi, are a must-try dish in Chiang Mai. The dish features a combination of tender meat, egg noodles, and a flavorful curry broth. The meat can be either pork or chicken, and it is cooked until it becomes tender and infused with the aromatic flavors of the curry broth. The dish is then garnished with crispy fried noodles, pickled cabbage, shallots, and a squeeze of lime for added freshness and tanginess.

  • Crispy Fried Noodles: Crispy fried noodles are used as a topping in Chiang Mai Noodles to add texture and crunch.
  • Crispy fried noodles are an essential component of Chiang Mai Noodles. They are made by deep-frying egg noodles until they become crispy and golden brown. The crispy fried noodles are then used as a topping for the dish, adding a delightful crunch and texture to each bite. The combination of the tender meat, the egg noodles, the curry broth, and the crispy fried noodles creates a satisfying and flavorful meal.

Keywords: Chiang Mai Noodles, Khao Soi, pork, chicken, tender, curry broth, crispy fried noodles, pickled cabbage, tanginess

Chiang Mai Sausage

  • Grilled Pork Sausage: Chiang Mai Sausage is a grilled pork sausage that is a popular street food snack in Chiang Mai.
  • Chiang Mai Sausage is a flavorful and juicy sausage that is loved by locals and visitors alike. The sausage is made by mixing ground pork with a variety of herbs and spices, including lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, garlic, and chili. The mixture is then stuffed into casings and grilled until it becomes golden brown and develops a smoky and charred flavor. Chiang Mai Sausage is often enjoyed with a side of sticky rice and a spicy dipping sauce.

  • Herbs and Spices: The combination of lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, garlic, and chili gives Chiang Mai Sausage its unique and aromatic flavors.
  • The herbs and spices used in Chiang Mai Sausage add a depth of flavor to the dish. Lemongrass provides a citrusy and refreshing note, while kaffir lime leaves add a subtle hint of citrus and earthiness. Garlic adds a savory and aromatic taste, and chili brings the heat. The combination of these ingredients creates a sausage that is bursting with flavor and a must-try street food in Chiang Mai.