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Local Cuisine

The ethnic combination results in colorful traditions and ways of life. It is also reflected in Chiang Rai's local specialties. Here we can find northern Thai dishes, Yunnan Chinese dishes and tasty fish from the Mekong River . The northern-styled dishes found in other Chiang Rai are commonly found in other Northern provinces, namely fermented-pork (naem), pork crachlings (khaep mu), northern-styled sausages sai oua and chilli pastes – either nam-prig num or nam-prig ong, served with warm fragrant sticky rice. These are usually accompanied by several kinds of fresh local vegetables.

Hung-lae Curry
Basically hung-lae curry is a sweetened curry made with hung-lae curry-paste, coconut milk and thick pork. But the original recipe of Chiang Saen hard-to-find hung-lae is unique. It calls for additional ingredients: pickled bamboo shoots, string beans, green eggplants, fried sesame seeds and tamarind.

Pork Leg with Hot Chinese Buns
This is Doi Mae Salong's specialty. The authentic recipe offers tender pork leg simmered with Chinese herbs which add a sweet aroma to the pork's tender flavor. Its delicious accompaniment is steamed Chinese buns called “man-tho”.

Nam-Ngiao/Khao-Soi
A specialty of Mae Chan, nam-ngiao is a Tai Yai dish, consisting of a curry made with pork ribs on noodles topped with fresh vegetables. Khao-soi, on the other hand, is yellow curry of chicken or beef spread on boiled yellow noodles served with pickled and sliced challot.

Fresh Chinese Mushrooms in Clear Soy Sauce
This is another specialty of Doi Mae Salong. Only proper-sized fresh Chinese mushrooms are picked for the dish. They are de-stemmed and marinated in clear soy sauce and other herbs. Then they are baked and fried until golden and crispy brown.

Stewed Black Chicken in Chinese Herbs
Black chicken is the breed originally imported from China . This recipe boasts to offer a very delicious soup with medicinal values, believed to enhance stamina and sexual prowess.

Fish dishes
Along the river basins, fish-lovers will find a wide variety of “fishy” dish in Chiang Khong made from the Mekong fish. Chiang Saen also offers numerous restaurants by the riverbanks where you can experience sumptuous dished while enjoying the sights and local flavor.