CM TOP TEN MEDIUM PRICE RESTAURANTS - W, W/O ALCOHOL, HALAL

20 October 2024

WITH, WITHOUT & HALAL

Here are ten excellent medium-priced restaurants in Chiang Mai, offering a mix of local and international flavours, mostly with:

WITH

1. Tong Tem Toh

Famous for its Northern Thai cuisine, Tong Tem Toh is located in the trendy Nimman area. Popular dishes include sai oua (northern Thai sausage) and nam prik noom (chili dip). The restaurant is known for its vibrant atmosphere and quality food at affordable prices.

2. Cherng Doi Roast Chicken

This restaurant is a top spot for kai yang (grilled chicken), a classic Isan dish. Located in the Nimman area, it serves tender, juicy roast chicken accompanied by som tam (papaya salad) and sticky rice.

3. SP Chicken

Known for its unique roasting technique, SP Chicken is a favourite for roast chicken lovers. It offers moist, flavourful kai yang served with fresh papaya salad. This spot in the Old City is beloved by both locals and tourists.

4. Mitr.

A relaxed restaurant offering a variety of Thai and international dishes. It’s perfect for gatherings, with a warm atmosphere and a well-priced sharing menu.

5. Grill of India

For those in the mood for Indian cuisine, Grill of India offers a genuine experience with dishes like butter chicken, tikka masala, and prawn korma. Located on Prapokkloa Road, it’s a great spot for quality Indian food at reasonable prices.

6. Moreganic Restaurant

A vegan Thai-fusion restaurant focusing on organic ingredients and sustainability. Located in Away Thapae Resort, it offers an array of healthy, flavourful dishes in a relaxing setting.

7. Roummit 2

This halal restaurant serves a variety of Chinese-Yunnan dishes, including their signature fried fish with herbs. It’s located near the Night Bazaar and is known for its organic vegetables.

8. Xon Earth

A vegan international restaurant located in the Amaravati Wellness Center. The focus is on health and wellness, offering a unique dining experience with dishes crafted to balance the five flavours: sweet, sour, bitter, salty, and astringent.

9. Thapae Grill

Recently opened, this restaurant specialises in spicy Chinese mala barbecue, paired with beers and a rooftop view over the Thapae Gate Walking Street. A popular spot for locals and tourists alike.

10. Khao Soi Khun Yai

This simple but highly regarded spot serves the iconic northern Thai dish, khao soi. Located near Sri Poom 8 Alley, it’s a local favourite for affordable and authentic Chiang Mai cuisine.

These restaurants offer a great variety of flavours and dining experiences, providing both locals and visitors with quality food at medium prices.

WITHOUT

Here are 10 medium-priced restaurants in Chiang Mai where it is possible to enjoy a meal without drinking alcohol:

1. Moreganic Restaurant

A vegan Thai-fusion restaurant located at Away Thapae Resort, Moreganic focuses on organic and plant-based dishes, offering a relaxing and alcohol-free dining experience.

2. Anchan Vegetarian Restaurant

Located near Nimmanhaemin Road, this restaurant offers delicious vegetarian Thai food. Anchan is known for its creative dishes and serves only non-alcoholic drinks.

3. Reform Kafé

Part of the Green Tiger House, Reform Kafé specialises in vegan and vegetarian dishes, making it a great choice for those looking to avoid alcohol. The peaceful atmosphere encourages mindfulness and healthy eating.

4. Pun Pun Vegetarian Restaurant

A well-known vegetarian restaurant in Chiang Mai offering affordable, organic food. With its emphasis on sustainability, Pun Pun avoids serving alcohol, focusing instead on fresh, healthy meals.

5. Khao Soi Khun Yai

A classic spot for Chiang Mai’s famous khao soi (curry noodles). This local favourite is a simple, no-frills eatery where alcohol is not on the menu.

6. Cherng Doi Roast Chicken

This restaurant serves traditional kai yang (roast chicken) along with som tam and sticky rice. Alcohol is not a focus here, and the emphasis is on good food.

7. Taste from Heaven

This vegetarian restaurant, popular with both locals and tourists, offers a range of Thai and international dishes without alcohol. It is located in the Old City and offers healthy meals.

8. Goodsouls Kitchen

Another vegan and vegetarian spot in Chiang Mai, Goodsouls Kitchen offers hearty and healthy meals without any alcohol, making it a great choice for clean eating.

9. Imm Aim Vegetarian and Bike Café

Located in the Santitham area, Imm Aim is a cosy vegetarian café serving nutritious, meat-free meals. The café has a chill vibe and no alcohol is served.

10. Free Bird Café

An eco-conscious vegetarian café supporting social causes, Free Bird Café serves dishes from Thailand and Myanmar. It’s an alcohol-free environment focused on healthy, sustainable living.

These restaurants offer a variety of delicious and healthy meals in an alcohol-free environment, catering to those looking for a mindful dining experience.

HALAL

Here are ten great halal restaurants in Chiang Mai, offering a range of delicious halal-certified dishes:

1. Yasmin Restaurant

Located in the Night Bazaar area, Yasmin serves a variety of Middle Eastern and Thai halal dishes. It’s a favourite among locals and tourists for its affordable, authentic flavours.

2. Arabian Restaurant

Also situated near the Night Bazaar, this restaurant offers a mix of Arabic and Thai halal dishes, including grilled meats and traditional rice dishes.

3. Shere Shiraz Halal Indian Restaurant

Specialising in Indian cuisine, Shere Shiraz is a popular halal restaurant offering curries, naan, and other Indian favourites. It's located close to the Night Bazaar.

4. Le Spice Restaurant

This Indian and Middle Eastern halal restaurant offers a diverse menu of curries, biryanis, and kebabs. The restaurant is located in the Old City and provides a relaxing dining experience.

5. Al-Rahmat Muslim Restaurant

This simple eatery serves classic halal Thai dishes, such as chicken fried rice, khao soi, and other local specialties. It's a great option for those seeking affordable halal food in Chiang Mai.

6. Ruammit 1 & 2 Halal Restaurants

Ruammit is well known for its halal Chinese and Yunnan cuisine. Ruammit 2, located near the Night Bazaar, offers a variety of dishes made with organic vegetables.

See also in the above lists.

7. Kabab Bar

Offering Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes like kebabs, falafel, and shawarma, Kabab Bar is a small but popular halal restaurant in the Old City.

8. Sara Restaurant

Located within the Chiang Mai Halal Hotel, Sara serves an array of halal Thai and international dishes. The atmosphere is family-friendly, and it's a great place for a more upscale halal dining experience.

9. Al-Fahham Halal Food

Located near the Old City, Al-Fahham is famous for its grilled halal chicken, biryani, and other Thai dishes. It's a casual spot offering good value.

10. The Duke’s Halal

Though primarily known for Western-style dishes like burgers and steaks, The Duke's has a halal-certified branch that caters to those looking for American-style food in a halal environment.

These restaurants offer a variety of halal options, from Middle Eastern and Indian cuisine to local Thai dishes, ensuring a diverse and satisfying dining experience in Chiang Mai.

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THAI AND INDONESIAN CUISINE COMPARED

21 June 2024

Yes, you'd think Indonesian and Thai cooking would be very similar given that they are countries where the peoples are close to each other and in constant contact. Surely, they must have swapped recipes. Plus the ingredients available must be the same as the climates are similar.

From what I can work out, Indonesian cuisine is known for its complex and "layered" flavours, combining sweet, sour, salty, and spicy tastes, aswhere Thai food is more balanced and tangy. 

INDONESIA

Ingredients

Common ingredients are soy sauce (kecap manis), tamarind, turmeric, galangal, and coconut milk.

Dishes

The result is such wonderful dishes as

  Nasi Goreng - fried rice wuth a sweet soy sauce

  Rendang - slow-cooked dry curry made with beef, coconut milk, and loads of spices. I can make this, it is like Thai curries.

  Satay - skewered and grilled meat served with peanut sauce. Chicken satay.

                                           The lady's table

THAI

Ingredients

Thai cuisine Is a bit different. Its flavour profile is renowned for its balance of five fundamental tastes: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and spicy. It is based around fish sauce, lime juice, lemongrass, and Thai basil.

Dishes

The result this time is such wonderful dishes as

  Tom Yum - this is maybe the hot and sour soup you are talking about though it's usually with shrimp, but can be with chicken. It is a watery soup flavoured with lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, galangal, and fish sauce. Really really nice when it's soaked up in cooked rice.

  Pad Thai - is Stir-fried rice noodles with eggs, tofu, shrimp or chicken, and a tangy tamarind sauce.

   Green Curry - that I mentioned above green curry is one of several there's red yellow and Penang. These are all really spicy and creamy - green is made with green curry paste, coconut milk, and a variety of vegetables and meat.

PREPARATION

Also worth noting that with Thai cooking everything is prepared and chopped up in advance and then the actual cooking happens very quickly and the result is a very fresh and vibrant taste.

LANNA CUISINE

Also worth noting that here it is Northern Thai cuisine, aka Lanna cuisine, with milder flavours compared to the fiery dishes of the South. 

You might like 

  Khao Soi. 

  Sausages - Chiang Mai is also famous for its sausages, not to everyone's taste. 

  Nam Prik Pla or Kepi - There is a really spicy and tangy flavouring called Nam Prik Pla (water, chilli, fish). It's really fiery and tangy, made from chopped up chili and garlic, fermented shrimp paste, fish sauce in  vinegar and lime juice. You get umami from the shrimp paste and fish, spicy due to the chilies, tangy from the lime juice and salty to balances the overall taste from rhe fish sauce. It's a great dressing for many meaty dishes, rice, steamed veg, fried fish...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/collections/indonesian_food

https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/articles/great_thai_food

https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/collections/simply_thai

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