Joanna James
Rich history, cultural heritage, and beautiful natural surroundings define the mountainous city nestled high away in northern Thailand, but travellers to scenic Chiang Mai also have an assortment of local delicacies awaiting them. Savour the mouth-watering flavours and let the foodie in you unleash.
The world-renowned Thai dish that hardly needs any introduction, Pad Thai, serves as the best start for all foreign taste buds exploring authentic Thai cuisine. Strolling the atmospheric streets of Chiang Mai City, the flavoursome stir-fried rice noodles dish is an unmissable sight at any time of the day. The primary ingredient, rice noodles, is mixed with dried shrimp, peanuts, tofu, scrambled egg and bean sprouts, and fried in a wok together. A meat of your choice, usually chicken or pork, could also be added to further enrich the appetising relish. As all the ingredients come together, the combination of sweet, sour, and salty flavours is what makes Pad Thai so special.
For those looking for something that delivers the truly authentic Thai experience, the hills of Chiang Mai present you with Thailand’s signature and undoubtedly bizarre dish, Malang Tod. A variety of fried insects stay laid out on street food stalls, from nutty crickets and crunchy beetles to salty worms and grasshoppers, inviting you to take your pick from the rather comical assortment. Complement your choice with a sprinkling of pepper and a dip in a tangy fish or soy sauce, and brace yourself for the eerie flavours.
Hot, spicy, sour and delightfully aromatic — a spoonful of flavourful Tom Yum will transport you to heaven. The traditional Thai soup is one of the most popular dishes in all of Thailand and is often served as an accompaniment to white rice. You can find Tom Yum being served in all Chiang Mai restaurants, including the likes offered by properties such as Anantara Chiang Mai Resort.
Thinly cut strips of unripe green papaya mixed with roasted peanuts, green beans, and tomatoes in a bowl, Som Tam may be one of the simplest dishes of Thai cuisine, but it certainly is no less delectable. The secret lies in a tangy sauce that supplements the dish, which is a combination of garlic, chilli, fish, dried shrimp, palm sugar, and lime. The spicy papaya salad has its roots in the northeastern part of Thailand, but it is a widely savoured dish throughout the Southeast Asian nation, including the mountainous region of Chiang Mai.
Another dish that hails from northeastern Thailand, Khao Soi is a comforting coconut curry noodle soup favoured by locals and tourists alike. In its basic form, it is a mix of coconut milk and red curry paste, which combines to make a slightly spicy broth. Flat egg noodles are served in the broth, often with the addition of a meat of your choice — chicken, beef, or pork.
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A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
