Top Chiang Mai Food Tours to Try Amazing Northern Thai Street Food!
A nice spread of northern Thai food, Larb Kua, Gaeng Hung Lay, Nam Prik dips, and a stir fry veggie dish
My personal favorite region of Thai food is Northern Thai food, and if you happen to be traveling in Chiang Mai, I highly recommend going on a Chiang Mai food tour to taste a sample of this region’s incredible cuisine for yourself.
Many of Thailand’s most delicious (yet under-appreciated dishes) comes from this region, Khao Soi (curry noodle soup), Sai Oua (herb sausage), and Nam Prik Noom (roasted chili dip), just to name a few. These are all incredible dishes and if you’ve been around eating street food in Bangkok then it will be totally different to any Thai food you’ve ever had!
Therefore, I’ll go into some of my top Chiang Mai food tours that I recommend to all my friends who are looking to try some northern Thai food for the first time!
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Why Take a Food Tour in Chiang Mai?
THE must try Northern Thai dish, Nam Prik chili dips with boiled vegetables and other proteins
Because food in Chiang Mai is completely different to food in Bangkok or anywhere else in Thailand!, You can read more about Thai food here but essentially, up here in northern Thailand or Chiang Mai, the food is known as Lanna Cuisine, from the Kingdom that once ruled this region.
Bangkok food is bold and balanced in flavor with lots of sugar, fish sauce, lime, chilies and so on. Lanna Cuisine, on the other hand, is more earthy and herbal. Flavors are deeper, less sweet, spicier, yet still mild in taste, it’s kind of an oxymoron but you’ll understand once you get a taste.
That’s exactly why I recommend joining a Chiang Mai food tour, especially if it’s your first time with Northern Thai food. Without some context, it’s easy to miss what makes northern Thai food special. Also slight bias but this is honestly my favorite type of Thai cuisine, it’s comforting, complex, and jsut tastes so damn good.
Khao Soi curry noodles, my absolute favorite Thai noodle dish
Dishes like Khao Soi (curry noodles), Sai ua (northern Thai sausage), Nam Prik Noom (roasted chili dip), Gaeng Hung Lay (Burmese sweet pork curry), and Larb Kua (northern Thai style minced meat salad) often rank on high on the list of my personal favorite Thai foods.
In fact, Maan Muang is a Northern Thai restaurant in Bangkok that is a personal favorite of mine, and Tong Tem Toh, is my personal favorite restaurant in Chiang Mai
In Chiang Mai, a lot of the best restaurants are simply just stalls or family run businesses that often gt overlooked by tourists, except for maybe Khao Soi Lung Prakit, that place is hella famous. But anyways, a good Chiang Mai food tour explains what you’re eating, how it’s traditionally made, and why locals love it, which turns a basic meal into a memorable experience.
If you really want to understand northern Thai food instead of just trying it once, a Chiang Mai food tour is the best place to start.
My YouTube Video on Northern Thai Food
If you have time, I have this video on YouTube where I introduce my friend to Northern Thai food, it’s a very fun and educational video and I would really appreciate it if you took a look. Also, if you enjoyed the video how about subscribing to my YouTube Channel? I am trying to expand to YouTube and would be immensely grateful for your support!
Chiang Mai Food Tour with 15+ Tastings
If you noticed, northern Thai food is pretty meat forward
The best and most comprehensive Chiang Mai food tour that I would recommend is this Northern Flavours Chiang Mai Food Tour with 15 Tastings. This is a 4 hour evening tour (4:00 PM onwards, you can choose the time), that will bring you to 15 different “off the beaten path” restaurants, food stalls, and street food markets. That’s a lot of traveling but don’t worry as you will be hopping on Chiang Mai’s signature Rod Daeng pick up trucks to go from bite to bite.
The tour starts at Wat Lok Moli (meeting point) and you’ll get to taste all sorts of incredible northern Thai street food like mouthwatering Nam Ngiaw (pork and tomato curry noodles), meaty Larb (minced meat salad), aromatic Sai Oua (herb sausage), and of course you can’t forget the iconic Nam Prik (chili dips). The stops are thoughtfully chosen, we to vendors that most tourists would miss, which I very much appreciated. The tour concluded at the local Wararot Market where we were free to explore more amazing foods on our own.
This is a small group tour with a maximum of 8 people which I think is perfect, it’s not too much and it feels quite cozy. But our local English speaking guide, Khun. Aim, made all the difference. She was very friendly, and very passionate about the food and culture. Her English was also superb, the whole tour felt like hanging out with a bunch of foodie friends rather than just ticking a checklist of restaurants.
If you’re planning to go on a Chiang Mai food tour, this is the one that I highly recommend.
Chiang Mai Food Tour with 15+ Tastings Tour Price and Value
Would you believe that this Chiang Mai food tour costs only $59 USD per person? Considering the 15+ different foods and tastings plus a knowledgable guide, included transport, oh and can’t forget the free water and soft drinks, this tour is an absolute steal! Absolutely worth the price in my opinion.
Doi Suthep Temple and Street Food Tour
A classic Khao Gaeng stall selling all sorts of deliciousness, an iconic sight in all Thai night markets
For something more “adventurous” I recommend this Doi Suthep Temple and Street Food Tour that takes you to explore Doi Suthep, a 1,676 meter tall sacred mountain, and then eating throughout various street food night markets in the area.
This is a 4 hour evening (4:30 PM onwards), 8 person group tour that starts at the Three Kings Monument, pick up is included. From there we headed to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep (Doi Suthep temple) where you will learn about the history of the mountain and the surrounding regions. You’ll also get a chance to soak in the beautiful views and sunsets. After that it’s time to EAT!
We headed to Chang Phuak Gate (Elephant Gate) the first of 2 Chiang Mai street food night market stops, where we tasted around 8 different dishes like Larb (meat salad), a squid stir fry, and these little savory seafood pancake cups which are absolutely delicious. We then headed to the Chiang Mai Gate Night Market where we ate like 6-7 MORE tasty northern Thai street food dishes. Needless to say, our stomachs were on the brink of bursting!
Of course, throughout this Chiang Mai food tour you’ll be accompanied by a jolly English speaking tour guide, Khun. Coco was ours. I love this tour so much because not only do you get to eat, but you also get to learn about the local history and culture! I highly recommend this tour if you want more than just eating
Doi Suthep Temple and Street Food Tour Price and Value
The price is just $49 USD per person, what an absolute bargain, even better value than the Chiang Mai Food Tour above! It is so worth it, not only do you get to eat but you’ll also explore one of the most sacred landmarks in Chiang Mai!
Michelin Guide Chiang Mai Street Food Tour
A typical meal in Chiang Mai, meat, meat, and more meat
Now for a Chiang Mai food tour that mixes local street food with a bit of Michelin credibility, this Michelin Guide Street Food Tour in Chiang Mai is a great foodie adventure. This is a shorter tour at around 3.5 hours and it focuses on some of the city’s best street food spots recommended by the Michelin Guide.
This is a small group tour capped at 8 people and you’ll taste roughly 10 different dishes across 5-7 restaurants and street food stalls, covering classic Thai favorites and northern specialties, so you get a solid overview of the food cultures here. Some of the foods you’ll eat are: Pad Thai with crispy pork belly, Rice noodles with curry, Mango sticky rice, Patongo (fried Chinese donuts), and Khao Soi Noodles.
Though do note that restaurants, location, and time can vary depending on what day your booking, as the guide will need to book some seats at the restaurant.
There’s hotel pickup available from select areas, and you move between stops in an air-conditioned vehicle, which is honestly a blessing in Chiang Mai’s heat. Lunch, bottled water, and transport are all included, so once the tour starts, you can just relax and enjoy the Michelin recommended foods.
If you want a Chiang Mai food tour that’s efficient, well-organized, and reliably delicious then this Michelin Guide Tour is an easy recommendation.
Michelin Guide Chiang Mai Street Food Tour Price and Value
This Michelin Guide Chiang Mai Food Tour is on the pricier side at $90 USD per person. But considering it’s a Michelin based tour I think the pricing is ok for what you’re getting. Value is ok, not good, not bad.
Bonus: Traditional Chiang Mai Cooking Class
This Chiang Mai cooking class is one of the few that truly felt authentic and “homemade”
Now this is a very different Chiang Mai food tour but one that I think is incredibly fun and a sort of “once in a lifetime” experience! This Lanna Exotic Cooking Class at Grandma’s Home Cooking School is an amazing hands-on full-day cooking class (7-8 hours) focused on traditional Northern Thai cuisine, and it is amazing.
The day begins with a hotel pick up, making it super easy, and you’re taken out to a peaceful countryside setting where the cooking school is located, which is a traditional wooden Thai house owned by a sweet and loving grandma.
From there, you’ll visit a local market to learn about and purchase northern Thai ingredients, then walk through an organic farm where many of the herbs and vegetables are grown. After that, you get hands-on in the kitchen, cooking 5 authentic Northern Thai dishes. The menu changes but expect: Northern Thai Omelet, Northern Thai Sausage, Pork Belly Curry, Young Jackfruit Curry, and more!
It’s a small-group experience with a maximum of 6 people, so there’s plenty of attention and time to ask questions. You cook, eat what you make for lunch, enjoy traditional Thai desserts, and everything from ingredients to refreshments is included.
And at the end, you even get a downloadable recipe book so you can recreate the dishes at home. From the environment, to the experience, to the food, this is such a lovely cooking class.
Traditional Chiang Mai Cooking Class Price and Value
The price is fair, coming in at $59 USD per person, the experience is memorable and it’s one of the more fun and unique cooking classes I’ve been to, well worth the price in my opinion.
What to Look for in a Food Tour in Chiang Mai?
A street vendor in Chiang Mai chopping away at some braised pork knuckles
Chiang Mai is an incredible foodie destination and there are lot of food tours available in this city, but they all vary in quality and pricing. So before you decide on booking a Chiang Mai food tour, it really helps to know what you should be looking out for.
Things like what kind of foods you will be eating, is it a small private tour or a large group tour? Does the tour guide even speak English? Are the ratings and reviews good? Below are some important details to consider when going on a Chiang Mai food tour.
What Kind of Foods are Included in the Chiang Mai Food Tour?
Gaeng Ho, a personal favorite of mine, a dry curry made with glass noodles and leftover veggies
When you’re looking for a Chiang Mai food tour the first thing to look out for is obviously what kind of food it actually focuses on. A lot of street food markets in Chiang Mai serve generic Thai street foods that can be found anywhere so look out for dishes or statements that are uniquely Northern Thai or related to Lanna Cuisine. That is to say, if the tour description mentioned “Pad Thai” or “Green Curry” best look elsewhere…
In addition, look for food tours that’ll bring you to local street food markets, or family run restaurants and food stalls, you obviously do not wanna go to an overpriced touristy spot. A good Chiang Mai food tour should clearly mention how many tastings you’ll get, what neighborhoods you’ll explore, and whether it includes the classic northern Thai dishes that I’ve described above.
For a quick reminder, these are some of the northern Thai foods you should be looking to fill your bellies with:
Khao Soi - Northern Thailand’s signature curry noodle soup with a rich, mildly spicy broth
Sai Ua - Herb-packed northern Thai sausage with lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and chili
Nam Prik Noom - Smoky roasted green chili dip made chilis, garlic, and shallots
Gaeng Hung Lay - Slow-cooked Burmese pork curry with ginger, garlic, and warm spices
Larb Kua - Northern-style spicy minced meat salad, darker and more aromatic than central Thai
Gaeng Ho - A dry curry made with glass noodles and a mix of vegetables and pork
Dietary Concerns in the Chiang Mai Food Tour?
A classic must-try northern Thai dish, Sai Oua, a herb filled pork sausage
Dietary concerns are a thing to consider when going on a Chiang Mai food tour. Northern Thai food can be pretty meat heavy as Lanna cuisine uses a lot of pork, fermented ingredients, and fish sauce, so vegetarian, vegan, halal, or gluten-free options can be limited depending on the tour.
That said, many Chiang Mai food tours are flexible if you tell them in advance, a good tour guides will try to adjust tastings where possible or explain what can and can’t be modified.
From my experience, the best approach is to check the tour description carefully and message the operator ahead of time. You’ll enjoy the tour a lot more when expectations are clear, and you won’t feel awkward skipping half the dishes once you’re there.
Is it a Private or Public Group Chiang Mai Food Tour?
A couple of friendly fellows I met on a Chiang Mai food tour!
The other big factor is the guide and group size. I personally always prefer a small-group Chiang Mai food tour, private whenever possible.
All of the tours I’ve recommended above are private tours and include knowledgeable, English-speaking local guide who can explain what you’re eating and why it matters. Smaller groups means a more intimate experience, quicker stops, and a more relaxed vibe, it honestly feels like hanging out with friends rather than following a flag.
Also, bonus points if the tour includes transport (Chiang Mai can be spread out) and free extras like water or soft drinks, or hotel pickups and drop offs.
Tips for Going a Chiang Mai Food Tours
This is a simple looking bowl of beef Khao Soi curry noodles, but it’s the best one I’ve ever had
If this is your first time trying street food in Chiang Mai here are some useful tips to help you prepare and make your Chiang Mai food tour experience more enjoyable:
Come hungry, not starving - A good Chiang Mai food tour includes a lot of tastings, so skip a big meal beforehand but don’t show up completely empty either.
Tell the tour operator your dietary needs early - Northern Thai food isn’t always flexible, so message them in advance if you’re vegetarian, halal, or have allergies
Trust the guide and try everything once - Part of the fun of a Chiang Mai food tour is tasting dishes you’d never order on your own
Wear comfortable shoes - Even tours with transport usually involve walking through markets and uneven streets
Ask questions - If you’re curious about something, just ask the guide. Lanna cuisine is an untapped world of culinary wonder and the locals would love to share it with you.
Bring small cash - Not for food, those are included in the tour, but handy for tips or grabbing extra snacks you fall in love with
Go with an open mind - Northern Thai flavors can be an acquired taste, I know some Bangkokians don’t really know how to enjoy it, so keep your taste buds open for new flavors.
Looking for Things to Do in Chiang Mai?
Doi Inthanon National Park - Admire the views atop Thailand’s tallest mountain!
White Temple - Tour the iconic Wat Rong Kun along with the Blue temple and Black House
Night Safari - Lookout for nocturnal creatures and fair beasts at Chiang Mai Night Safari
Discounted Tickets - Browse a variety of attractions, tours, and transports all for a great price
Useful Resources for Traveling in Thailand
Tourism Information - All the information you need when traveling in Thailand
4G/5G SIM Card - 8 days, 15GB, Important for staying connected while in Thailand
Private Airport Transfers - Transfer from Suvarnabhumi Airport to the city without worry
Best Bangkok Hostels - A list of the best hostels to stay for cheap and meet new friends
Check Out My Other Thailand Blog Posts!
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The Foodie’s Guide to Thai Street Food Dishes to Try in Bangkok!
Ultimate Pattaya Travel Guide - Thailand’s Family Friendly City of Sin!
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