Besides excellent Thailand Chinese food, visitors can enjoy Italian, French, German and Muslim food in specialty restaurants. American-style steakhouses, sandwich bars, fast-food outlets, English-style pubs and vegetarian restaurants offer a broad range of cuisine, and international fare is widely available in teahouses and coffee shops. Local culinary specialties include highly spiced Naem sausages and midly curried Khao Soi noodles. Most visitors enjoy a traditional Khantok dinner which is often accompanied by a display of northern dances.


For those who are homesick in Chiang Mai, there are plenty of foreign but original restaurants serving Italian, German, French, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Indian, Pakistani and Arabic cuisine to meet certain cravings. In addition, vegetarian restaurants are also available. For Thai food lovers, there are also a variety of restaurants serving central, northeastern, and southern Thai cuisine.

Many tourists are also surprised to see street vendors selling a wide range of food, which are inexpensive. Popular items are barbecued chicken, pork and squid. To sample them without worries please make sure they are well cooked.

Northern Thai Food The people of Chiang Mai take pride in their distinctive cultural identity. The distinction of Lannas charming beauty is reflected in the lilting dialect, classic architecture, valued customs and traditions, expressive festivals, exotic handicrafts, and, of course, unique cuisine. It should be noted that the northern people traditionally sit on the floor eating food placed on a low table.

Northern people generally prefer steamed sticky rice to cooked rice. The rice is accompanied by Kaeng (curry) or Nam Phrik (chili paste) and vegetables (fresh or boiled). The two most popular local chili pastes are
Nam Phrik Ong (chili paste with minced pork and tomatoes) and Nam Phrik Num (green chili paste).

Many tourists are also surprised to see street vendors selling a wide range of food, which are inexpensive. Popular items are barbecued chicken, pork and squid. To sample them without worries please make sure they are well cooked.

Northern Thai Food The people of Chiang Mai take pride in their distinctive cultural identity. The distinction of Lannas charming beauty is reflected in the lilting dialect, classic architecture, valued customs and traditions, expressive festivals, exotic handicrafts, and, of course, unique cuisine. It should be noted that the northern people traditionally sit on the floor eating food placed on a low table.

Northern people generally prefer steamed sticky rice to cooked rice. The rice is accompanied by Kaeng (curry) or Nam Phrik (chili paste) and vegetables (fresh or boiled). The two most popular local chili pastes are Nam Phrik Ong (chili paste with minced pork and tomatoes) and Nam Phrik Num (green chili paste).