11 Chiang Mai Foods to Try in 2025

If you are a foodie heading to Thailand, exploring the diverse landscape of Chiang Mai foods is an absolute must. This northern city is a foodie's paradise, serving smoky sausages, fragrant curries and exquisite Thai desserts. Chiang Mai foods are unique to the region and incorporate diverse influences from Burmese, Laotian and other cuisines.  

As a tourist in the city, sampling some of the delicious Chiang Mai foods with their mouth-watering flavors is sure to be one of the highlights of your visit. To help you experience the best of Chiang Mai foods, here is a list to guide your culinary exploration and create a must-try list.

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• What Food Is Chiang Mai Known For?
• The 11 Best Foods in Chiang Mai To Eat
• Learn To Cook Chiang Mai Foods

What Food Is Chiang Mai Known For?

Authentic Thai food perfectly balances saltiness, spice, sweetness, sourness and creaminess. The Burmese, Laotian and Chinese influences on Chiang Mai foods make the cuisine distinctive. 

Unlike traditional Thai cuisine, which centers around steamed rice, most Chiang Mai food uses round sticky rice (khao niao). Curries from the North are usually milder, with turmeric and ginger as the aromatics of choice. A range of chili dips uniquely northern Thai are also typically served with every meal.

While Chiang Mai food is unique in its own right, plenty of other cuisines found in the city also clamor for attention. Being a popular tourist destination, you can expect to find restaurants serving other popular regional cuisines such as Burmese and Vietnamese. 

Vegetarians also have a range of options and won't feel left out. If the plethora of choices gets too confusing, try one of the many food tours in Chiang Mai. These tours are designed to have you try an extensive range of Chiang Mai foods and familiarize yourself with the local cuisine. A good food tour will help you discover why Chiang Mai is considered one of the best foodie cities in Thailand, if not the world.

The 11 Best Foods In Chiang Mai To Eat

1. Khao Soi

Khao soi, a creamy, spicy and coconut-flavored noodle broth, should be at the top of any foodie’s list of Chiang Mai foods to try. Khao soi is a traditional dish from Myanmar served in a bowl with egg noodles, an aromatic coconut broth and a protein of choice. Chicken, beef and tofu are the typical options. 

The dish is topped with a variety of condiments such as pickled mustard greens, crunchy, fried noodles, shallots, lime and chili oil, all of which add texture and a whole load of layers to this simple dish. This Chiang Mai food combines spicy, sour and sweet elements into a flavor bomb that will ignite your senses and leave you wanting more. 

It can be found at any restaurant or stall that serves Burmese food. Be warned, though, that portions may be small so that you may require a second helping.

2. Sai Ua

One Chiang Mai food that exemplifies the joys of eating Thai street foods is sai ua, a delicious pork sausage made from minced pork, herbs and spices. The smokiness of the pork is entwined with the flavors and aromas of lemongrass, galangal and kaffir lime, and the sausage is grilled to perfection on a coal fire. 

Sai ua can be eaten plain or with sticky rice, vegetables or nam prik nume. For the more adventurous, the latter is a green chili dip made from grilled green chilies, garlic and other spices.

If you want to try this unusual dish, you will be available to find it in most of the city's night markets, where you can also sample other Chiang Mai foods for a more varied culinary experience. A piece of advice, though — ask the vendor to cut the sausage into smaller pieces to make the experience less messy.

3. Pad Thai

No list of the best Chiang Mai foods is complete without mentioning pad Thai. Its global popularity has earned it a place in the Oxford Dictionary, making it synonymous with Thai street food, and it is often considered the national dish of Thailand. 

Though it originated in central Thailand, pad Thai remains a northern favorite. This stir-fried noodle dish typically features thin, flat rice noodles, tamarind sauce, bean sprouts, fried egg and chives, with proteins like shrimp, chicken or tofu. For a heartier spin, beef pad Thai is a flavorful variation.

4. Khan Toke

No list of the best food in Chiang Mai is complete without mentioning khan toke, a traditional communal dining experience. This Chiang Mai food tradition features a round tray, called khan toke, filled with northern Thai dishes and sticky rice. The tray also doubles as a low table. 

Khan toke is the term used for both the tray and the food served. Diners use their hands to eat while seated cross-legged on the floor. Each dish is served in a small bowl, with six or more bowls around the khan toke. 

Modern versions of khan toke (or touristy versions, if you prefer) include tribal dance performances and music to immerse guests in a complete ethnic experience of which the food is just one part. The meal consists of curry, fried chicken, crispy pork and several dips commonly found in Lanna cuisine. 

The curry will be thicker and less spicy than those found in the south. Expect dishes such as pork belly curry, ground pork relish, fried chicken and crispy pork skin. The relishes are usually paired with steamed or fresh vegetables. Overall, it is a sensory treat and a Chiang Mai food experience to savor.

5. Nam Prik Ong and Nam Prik Num

These Thai red and green chili dips are a well-known staple in northern Thailand and are served with most Chiang Mai foods. Of the two, the green chili dip (nam prik num) is made with roasted spur peppers and is the more fiery one. It is liable to singe your mouth, so watch out. The red chili dip (nam prik ong) is made from tomato paste mixed with dried bird eye chilies, ground pork and cilantro. 

While it is milder, it is suggested that a first-timer try a tiny bit of each before deciding whether or not it is to your liking. These chili dips are usually eaten with sticky rice, steamed vegetables or crispy pork crackling. Dips like these are a quintessential part of Thai food and must be tried to experience the flavors of its rich and varied cuisine fully.

6. Khao Neow Ma Muang

One of the most popular Chiang Mai foods is khao neow ma muang or mango sticky rice. No foodie should ever miss out on the delights of this dish, one of the best-known Thai desserts worldwide. As the name suggests, it combines sticky rice cooked in coconut milk with ripe mango slices and topped with sweet coconut cream. 

A sprinkle of sesame seeds adds a delightful crunch to this otherwise soft treat with its perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors. It is cheap and readily available at both restaurants and street food stalls. For sweet lovers, it is a must-try food in Chiang Mai and many consider it a meal in itself.

7. Som Tum

Som tum or Thai papaya salad, is a staple Chiang Mai food and is popular all over Thailand. It is made with shredded green papaya, tomatoes, garlic, chilies and a dressing of lime juice, fish sauce and chilies. 

Roasted peanuts add a delicious crunch to the texture. The combination of sweet, sour, salty and spicy flavors is perfectly balanced and a treat for your taste buds.

8. Miang Kham 

A cheap street snack not as widely available as other Chiang Mai foods, miang kham is served in wraps of guise leaves. The dish originated in Laos and the name translates as “one-bite wrap.”  The ingredients used are those commonly found in Thai cuisine, such as pineapple, dried shrimp, chili, onions, lemons, coconut pieces and the ever-present peanuts. 

These are all packed into the leaf wrap and served with a sweet and sour sauce that adds a piquant taste to the dish. Sold at select street stalls all over the city, grab a bite if you are lucky enough to spot it. It encapsulates the rich flavors of Chiang Mai, Thailand food, with coconut pieces and peanuts adding a crunch.

9. Larb Kua

The word larb or laab in Thai means chopped or very finely chopped. It is a salad made up of chopped meats that, like other Chiang Mai foods, is highly flavorful. The larb kua in this region is spicier than in the other areas of Thailand. 

The meat is a mix of chicken, beef, pork, fish and offal. This chopped mix is oil-roasted with spices, including dried chilies, larb curry and herbs. The resulting dish has a unique flavor that is best enjoyed with sticky rice. It is a must-try if you are an intrepid foodie exploring the more adventurous side of Chiang Mai foods.

10. Banana Roti

One of the most popular Chiang Mai foods at market food stalls is banana roti or banana crepes. You can see these crepes on sale in all the alleys and at food stalls and restaurants, a testament to their popularity. 

Made from bananas, wheat flour, condensed milk and butter, the simple ingredients combine to create a distinctive and yummy treat. A drizzle of chocolate or Nutella sauce adds to the flavor. If you don’t mind the calorie count, these rotis are just the thing for a sweet tooth.

11. Gaeng Hang Lay

Gaeng hang lay or pork belly curry, is a Chiang Mai food that is both hearty and flavorful and exemplifies the cuisine of the north. The dish originated in Myanmar and is made with pork belly, tamarind and many spices. 

The pork belly and ribs are slowly stewed in a herb and spice mix and the tender meat is a soft, buttery flavor bomb. This dish's bold and aromatic flavors are what Chiang Mai Thailand food is all about: incorporating the best regional cuisines into a unique creation. It is a must-try meal for every visitor willing to step out of their comfort zone.

Learn To Cook Chiang Mai Foods

Many people come away from a visit to northern Thailand with a lasting impression of the food and culture. With its balanced blend of sweet, salty, sour and spicy tastes, Chiang Mai food can leave you longing for more, well after your trip is done. 

One of the best ways to keep the memory alive is to learn how to cook authentic Chiang Mai foods at home. This can be easily accomplished by joining one of the many cooking classes in Chiang Mai. If you cannot do so and still want to learn all the little tips and tricks to maximize flavors, check out cooking classes near you. 

Whether online or in person, these cooking classes can help you recreate your favorite Chiang Mai food in the comfort of your own home, allowing you to continue enjoying the city’s culinary delights long after your trip ends.

No trip to Thailand is complete without experiencing the rich flavors of Chiang Mai foods. The gastronomic delights of this city must be experienced for an authentic Thai holiday. Whether you enjoy your food in the comfort of a fine dining restaurant or while being jostled in a crowded street food stall, the dishes will likely change your perspective on food. The variety of meals is impressive, making the most of local ingredients and cooking techniques. 

Additionally, the Thai language can be intimidating to many and figuring out the names of various dishes can take a while. Reading up on what to expect regarding the local cuisine and preparing yourself for the cornucopia of flavors are just some ways to maximize your holiday. From bold spices to delicate flavors, it is no wonder that Chiang Mai food is considered a delight for food lovers. 

For even more ways to explore your favorite foods, check out other experiences happening on Cozymeal.