Joanna James
Amidst the world-renowned historic temples and other incredible tourist attractions in Chiang Rai awaits an assortment of local dishes to show you a side of the cultural city that sates your taste buds. Unleash the foodie in you and savour the tantalising flavours of mountainous Northern Thailand.
A steaming hot bowl of khao soi is an unmissable indulgence in the city of Chiang Rai. The coconut-milk-dominant Northern Thailand staple also has a chicken leg, a lump of crunchy egg noodles and a sprinkling of coriander in a single serving. For a totally immersive experience, accompany the spicy dish with a side of red onions, lime, and pickled cabbage. While the common coconut milk and egg noodle version is the prevalent khao soi in Chiang Rai, a number of other variations of the dish can also be seen in other parts of the Southeast Asian nation.
Craving something spicy in Chiang Rai? The mountainous Northern Thailand city has got a few options in store for you. Apparently, Chiang Rai is pretty impressive with their chilli and has two main chilli sauces, or rather chilli dips, as the locals would prefer to identify them. The usual ingredients that go into the making of nam prik in its basic form include dry chilies, garlic, shallots, and lime juice. In addition to the aforementioned primary ingredients, "nam prik num" uses steamed or blanched vegetables, while "nam prik ong" uses pork and tomatoes.
The grilled pork sausage is more prevalent in neighbouring Chiang Mai—hence the little moniker, "Chiang Mai sausage"—but is a pretty common sight in Chiang Rai as well. The locals love coupling the minced pork meat with a curry paste, herbs and spices, bringing out a blend of flavours like no other. Aside from its breathtaking relish, another thing that is impressive about the greasy dish is that it can last for months if properly refrigerated.
Most tourists to the Northern Thailand city of Chiang Rai often get larb muang moo confused with Isan-style larb, which is popular all over Thailand, but the two are very different in taste. The dried spices of larb muang moo gives the dish a more subdued flavour, and often comes with a side of pork blood mixed sauce, which might not be for everyone, but those who are willing to put their taste buds to the test are afforded an authentic Chiang Rai experience.
Your experience of Chiang Rai cuisine wouldn't be complete without a traditional Thai dessert—Khao Niaow Ma Muang, a mango sticky rice dish made with glutinous rice, fresh mango and coconut milk. The sugary dessert can be found in most restaurants in Chiang Rai, including the ones offered by properties such as Anantara Golden Triangle. Beside its promise to sate your sweet tooth, the striking fusion of yellow and white colours also makes for a treat for the eyes.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
