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Chiang Mai Food on the StreetWhether you are getting an early start on the day or ending a long night out in Chiang Mai food that is hot, substantial and delicious can be exactly what is needed. Vendors can be found in every part of the city and on just about road leading in and out of town. Very few restaurants have a menu that can equal the variety available in just one of the popular areas and many of the street vendors have large and loyal followings of regular customers over the years that restaurants anywhere would envy.Sellers may carry their prepared wares through a neighborhood or cook fresh at their substantial looking metal carts. Foods available can be as simple as sliced fresh fruit or roasted eggs and can range to noodles of every type, a large variety of meats barbecued over charcoal and the richest of desserts.
Few vendors have signs in English but with cooking and serving usually done behind a glass screen and with good lighting the specialty of the house is easy to guess.At night, well lit areas on the main streets are seldom without a variety of choices and many of the more enterprising operations will provide a good level of illumination at and around their carts and stands. Although English isn't always spoken, the sellers are used to doing business with adventurous tourists. Each vendor specializes in only one or two Chiang Mai food specialties and a smile, some pointing and holding up fingers to indicate how many orders you would like is sufficient.
Some Popular AreasMoon Muang RoadInside the city moat running south from Thapae Gate. The area of bars, restaurants and other tourist relate businesses are a backdrop for a number of popular vendors.At the south end of the reconstructed city wall there is only one vendor on the moat side of the street at night. I'm part of his large following for excellent barbecued sticky rice and meats.
Somphet MarketAbout three blocks north of Thapae Gate the part of the market area on Moon Muang Road is popular late night and has a good variety of foods including some very good Banana Roti (fruit cooked inside a slightly crisp crepe.)San Pa Khoi MarketCross the bridge from the old city heading for the Chiang Mai Train Station on Charoen Muang Road and turn right at the second or third cross street. Follow the traffic to the market and find a variety of foods including curry all night until daybreak.
Chiang Mai Gate Night MarketOn the south side of the old city at Chiang Mai Gate, Banrungburi Road running along side the moat has a market popular with locals for late night eating and drinking at a casual pace.Maejo RoadMorning is the time when the Maejo Road, beginning at the Super Highway near the Chiang Mai Ram Hospital is popular as a breakfast stop for commuters into the city.Return from Street Food to Chiang Mai Food and Drink Page Return to Easy Chiang Mai Home
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When hunger strikes, choosing what to have and where doesn't have to be stressful. Sanitation standards are high and well established street vendors will display their government inspection "Clean Food - Good Taste" sign. The rest can just be a matter of following your nose and seeing which Chiang Mai food sellers are the most popular with the locals.
