One of the best things about living in Chiang Mai, Thailand is the food scene.
It’s absolutely incredible here from a number of angles.
You have the deliciousness of the food itself. You have the accessibility/availability of this food (practically at all times of day/night, across the city). And then you have the value.
You can find great food all over the world. And you can find great food at all times of day in some places. And you can even find low prices on food at certain locations/restaurants.
But it’s pretty rare that you’ll find all three occurring simultaneously like it does here in Chiang Mai, especially to the level I’ve experienced (all three are rather extreme).
In order to show you readers what this looks like, I’m going to include some pictures of my favorite Thai street kitchen, which happens to excel at all three aforementioned aspects. I eat lunch here almost every single day.
I’m using this particular market as a proxy for all markets across Chiang Mai (and Thailand in general, for the most part). This is my favorite market (based on my taste buds and how close it is to my apartment), but the information described herein could be applied to many different markets.
This particular Thai kitchen looks unremarkable from the outside.
But what’s fantastic about it is that it’s located literally right across the street from my apartment. It’s just a short walk away, making the accessibility fantastic. I can leave my apartment and then find myself eating delicious Thai food within just a few minutes.
The tables and seats are pretty simple (often made of plastic or thin wood) for a street kitchen/market. You’re looking at basic accouterments here. No white-linen dining, which is honestly way better for someone like myself.
The tables usually feature basic dining utensils (forks, spoons, chopsticks, etc.), napkins, and Thai condiments (like fish oil, vinegar, sugar, spices).
And you’re eating al fresco at these kitchens. The seating is usually tight, the kitchen is open and close to where you eat, and the noise/heat/energy from whatever street is nearby spills into your eating area.
When you’re ready, you simply tell the cook what you want. You can grab yourself something to drink. And then they proceed to cook your food (which often takes 3-5 minutes).
Let’s next talk about the deliciousness of the food.
This kitchen cooks up some amazing food that includes…
Basil Crispy Pork With Rice
Stir-Fried Rice With Pork
Roasted Curry Paste Chicken With Peppers And Rice
The food here is absolutely amazing. Every dish I’ve eaten brings this huge smile to my face.
And the pictures I’ve taken and included in the article don’t really do the kitchen’s quality, quantity, or variety of food any justice.
The kitchen’s menu is extremely diverse. They have dozens of different options for dishes. And then each dish has multiple meat and non-meat choices. You could probably eat here for a year straight and never eat the same exact dish twice.
Most kitchens have a menu (on the wall or on the table) that have both Thai and English languages.
But what the picture of the menu may not totally capture is the price/value of this food.
If you can’t tell by the pictures of the food, the serving sizes are very generous. I order just one plate of food for lunch. Soup is almost always included. And that’s all I eat until dinner.
Most plates run 35 baht (or about $1).
If that’s not extreme value, I don’t know what is. We’re talking ~$1 for a huge portion of freshly-cooked and served Thai food.
I had a hard time buying a serving of food at all for $1 in the United States. And that’s not factoring in the cooking, serving, and cleaning. In this case, I feel like I’m not getting just delicious food, but I’m also getting the value that’s included when someone cooks it for me and cleans up after me. All I do is show up and eat. I mean, that’s just tremendous value.
This kitchen is but one of many that exist within a short distance of my apartment, but it’s my personal favorite. Based on my tastes and penchant for value, I haven’t found a better option that’s so close. And that’s why I’m here almost every single day for lunch.
I hope this post gave some readers some insight into what it’s like to eat at a local Thai street kitchen/market here in Chiang Mai.
While there are also many Thai restaurants around, I find the food stalls to be a better all-around experience. And while there are also many restaurants serving international cuisine (pizza, burgers, pasta – you name it!) across the city, I tend to eat Thai food most of the time simply because of how the street markets balance taste, value, and accessibility just right for me.
What do you think? Have you ever eaten at a Thai kitchen before? Have you found the right balance between taste, value, and availability in your local food choices?
Thanks for reading.
P.S. If you’re at all interested in becoming a dividend expat, or even just becoming financially independent, there are a number of resources that are invaluable toward that end. Definitely check them out!
It looks really great Jason. With all the benefits you mention, I can see why you would eat there every day. Also glad to see a good dividend growth stock (KO) featured in many of the pictures. Tom
Tom,
It’s my favorite spot in town! 🙂
Cheers.
It can’t quite beat Thailand, but Japan also has incredible value for money eating out. You can get lunch for about five dollars and the quality is very high. It’s probably similarly affordable to Thailand in terms of local salaries too.
In Thailand you benefit from the fact that eating out/getting takeout is such a big part of the culture there. It’s probably cheaper to eat out than to cook it yourself, and lots of Thai apartments don’t even have kitchens, so people order all their meals out.
I miss the routine of popping into ‘my’ lunch place in Thailand. There’s normally one place I end up going back to whenever I am there 🙂
You should post more food photos -I’m sure people would be into them!
ben,
Indeed. Kitchens here are not large, which is something I’m very happy about. My girlfriend has a new house about 30 minutes outside the main city, yet her kitchen is also quite small (relatively speaking). Of course, she has a market right around the corner that looks and operates much like the one I wrote about (and visit almost every day). They’re everywhere. It’s a wonderful place to live if you don’t particularly like to cook/clean.
Thanks for dropping by!
Best regards.
$1 for that dish is incredible value! Going to my local restaurant here in the states and that is a $9 meal (lunch price) and probably closer to $15 for dinner rates.
How much was it for the coke?
You were not kidding in your previous article stating a 13,000% gain in value compared to living in the states with prices like that. Makes me want to move now! LOL
Not sure the wife would allow it though. I sometimes think what my life would be like without a wife or a new child. Would I be brave enough to take a leap like you did? Our financials line up very close if I got divorced (I’m not going to) and had to split everything.
The other thing I think … our house is paid off, try to rent it and move somewhere cheap like you and we would be financially free – as long as the house stays rented. So many thoughts…
Anyways, glad to see you are enjoying yourself!!
ADD
ADD,
The value is really insane. I just couldn’t be more pleased with the food scene here. 🙂
A Coke will often run you under 50 cents.
We all have different situations/goals. This particular lifestyle suits me very well, but jumping overseas obviously will not work for everyone. Just have to life the life that is best suited to who you are and what makes you happy.
Thanks for dropping by!
Best regards.
Loved this post. I’m a big fan of good food. I always read blog posts with pictures of food. Mr. Tako frequently posts pics of delicious home cooked meals. I think these picks give him a run for his money.
FV,
Happy I could oblige! 🙂
Cheers.
It’s all very enticing. Is there a food price fluctuation in regards to high season vs low season? I 2nd the question….how much does the coke cost? As a KO shareholder, I thank you for your support 🙂
Fred,
There’s no price fluctuation.
A Coke will usually cost less than 50 cents. Of course, one can drink water for free. As they like to say here in Thailand, “up to you”.
Cheers!
Hi Jason, good to see you are doing great. At those prices you can’t go wrong. excellent food. I love it. I hope you have a merry Christmas. and great 2018! Honestly I admire you and all you have accomplished in just a few years. Take care my friend. Omar
Omar,
Thanks so much. Appreciate the support and kind words! 🙂
I’ve worked so hard, but I’m also blessed. Hope all is just as well for you.
Best regards.
Very yummy!! I love the cost for that plate. I never tried thai food. Might have some before the year ends.
FV,
I liked Thai food quite a bit before moving here, but I now love it. Of course, the value has something to do with that. Thai food can be moderately expensive in the US, unfortunately.
Cheers!
are you at all concerned about the MSG content in any of the food? reading another guy’s blog he says its loaded, but thats Bangkok.
queasydog,
Not particularly concerned. I haven’t noticed any effects (headaches, tingling, etc.).
In fact, moving over here has been a boon for how I look and feel:
https://www.mrfreeat33.com/how-i-accidentally-lost-five-pounds-in-one-month-by-moving-to-thailand/
I’m actually now down a couple more pounds since that article was published. I’m looking a bit like the Thais (thin and healthy). Meanwhile, obesity runs rampant in America.
Cheers!
Great article. Pictures of food look amazing. $1.00 wow! What a value.
David,
If the food were to cost twice as much and/or taste half as good, I’d still see a lot of value! 🙂
Best regards.
That’s what I love about Bangkok and Chiang Mai. There are a ton of delicious food to eat at a very affordable price.
Have you gone to Khao Soi Mae Sai? That’s really good. Also, early morning markets have some great local take out dishes too. Enjoy!
Joe,
Definitely. The food scene is amazing!
I haven’t been over to that joint yet, even though it’s not far at all. They’re not open for dinner, which limits my opportunities to try it out. And I generally prefer the market shown in the article for lunch. But I’m sure I’ll get over there at some point. Khao Soi Nimman does a bowl that makes me want to cry, it’s so good.
Best regards!
seems to be enjoying life in thailand,its on my list of countries to visit.
desidividend,
Not much to dislike. I’m sure you’ll have a good time if/when you visit. 🙂
Cheers!
get to dubai if you have chance,not as cheap but good food
desidividend,
Dubai couldn’t interest me less, but to each their own! 🙂
Cheers.
Hi Jason,
Looks absolutely delicious! The Scotsman in me loves the value. Photos make my taste buds burst. Are there any health concerns in Chiang Mai with water/food? Do you have to be cautious as to where/what you eat? Keep the food photos coming………….Thank you.
RTM,
The food hits all the notes for me: taste, value, and accessibility. I’ve never experienced anything quite like it before. 🙂
You sometimes have to be a little careful of the water here. I wouldn’t recommend drinking it straight out of the tap. But bottled water is everywhere and cheap. And I typically drink my Coke with my food (as you can see).
Best regards.
Good stuff, Jason. Loving the native cuisine is a key requirement for retirement abroad, in my view. Have a major move coming up for me as well – stay tuned to my year-end post! Meanwhile, merry Christmas and happy new year in advance!
TFR,
Agreed. If it’s not a must, it’s a big change in your quality of life if you don’t enjoy the local food. This is one reason I took a hard pass on Central/South America.
I always enjoyed Thai food before I came. But I now love the stuff. I’m surprised at how much I’m eating it. It’s probably 90% of my diet now.
Best of luck with your own move. Exciting stuff! 🙂
Cheers.
Can you tell us the adress of this place? I’m visiting in March!
Kim,
If it has an address, I’m not aware of it. And it doesn’t show up on maps. It’s just a tiny food kitchen.
There are markets just like this all over the city, so it’ll probably end up in your best interest to visit the ones close to wherever you’re staying. It doesn’t make sense to travel far for Thai food here. You’ll see how it is when you get here.
But if/when you make it, shoot me a message. I’d be glad to personally show you where it’s at! 🙂
Best regards.
Hi Jason,
Can you share your first week or two experience of your digestive system adjusting to the food and water there? Did you have any issues or did you take any pro-biotics to help with the adjustment? I’m heading out there soon and just want to be proactive in minimizing any major reactions etc. I appreciate the feedback!
Joe,
I haven’t had any issues in that regard. But it’s obviously something that will vary depending on the person.
Notably, I don’t drink the tap water here. Bottled water is cheap and plentiful.
Cheers!