Top 5 Dishes to Taste in Chiang Rai - Take Your Taste Buds on a Gastronomic Adventure!

Nam Prik Ong is a Northern Thai chilli dip made from minced pork, tomatoes, garlic, and dried chillies. It’s served alongside fresh vegetables like cucumber, cabbage, and carrots, which balance out the fiery heat of the dip. This dish is a true representation of Northern Thai cuisine's bold flavours and is perfect for those who like a little spice in their life. The star of Nam Prik Ong is the intense tomato and chilli combination, which packs a punch but is still bursting with fresh, tangy flavours. In Chiang Rai, you can find it in most traditional Thai restaurants and food stalls. It's an excellent dish to share with friends, as it often comes with a large plate of veggies that you can dip and crunch to your heart's content. If you're after authentic local flavour, this is definitely one to try.

Khao Soi is perhaps the most famous dish in northern Thailand, and Chiang Rai has perfected it. This rich and flavourful noodle soup is made with a blend of yellow egg noodles, tender chicken or beef, and a thick, creamy curry broth that combines coconut milk and a variety of spices. It's topped with crispy fried noodles for a nice textural contrast and served with a side of pickled mustard greens, shallots, and lime. What makes Khao Soi special in Chiang Rai is the depth of flavour, which comes from slow-cooking the broth to perfection. Many restaurants in Chiang Rai pride themselves on offering their own twist on this local favourite, so you’ll find slight variations in taste depending on where you go. Whether you're slurping it up at a local market or savouring it at a cosy eatery, Khao Soi is an absolute must.

Sai Oua, or Northern Thai sausage, is a fragrant and flavourful sausage made with ground pork, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, galangal, and a mix of northern spices. It's a signature dish in Chiang Rai and is often served as an appetiser or a snack. Grilled to perfection, the sausage has a delicious smoky flavour with a hint of spice that will keep you coming back for more. What makes Sai Oua so appealing is its balance of spices and herbs, which gives the sausage its aromatic kick. While many street vendors sell Sai Oua, you’ll also find it in upscale spots, where you can enjoy this dish in a more refined setting, perhaps paired with a refreshing local drink. The sausages are typically sliced and served with sticky rice and fresh vegetables, creating a satisfying and hearty meal. 

Tam Kanoon is a lesser-known Northern Thai dish made from tender, young jackfruit, which is boiled and then mashed with a blend of spices, herbs, and minced pork. The dish is stir-fried with ingredients like garlic, dried chillies, kaffir lime leaves, and shallots, resulting in a flavour-packed, earthy salad. It’s often topped with crispy shallots and served with sticky rice or fresh vegetables. Tam Kanoon has a unique texture and flavour that balances savoury, slightly sweet, and mildly spicy notes, making it a must-try for those who want to delve deeper into authentic Northern Thai cuisine. You can try this dish while holidaying at properties such as Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort.

Gaeng Hung Lay is a hearty pork belly curry that’s slow-cooked to tender perfection. This dish has a distinctively sweet and savoury flavour, with tamarind, ginger, and garlic creating a fragrant base for the rich curry sauce. The pork belly is stewed until it’s melt-in-your-mouth tender, absorbing all the flavours of the curry. Gaeng Hung Lay stands out because it's not as spicy as other Thai curries, making it more approachable for those who prefer milder dishes. This culinary creation is one that you simply must try during your evening strolls.