We came to Chiang Rai for one thing and one thing only — the food (and, more specifically, the Khao Soi).  Chiang Rai has not disappointed.

Making Khao Soi

Khao Soi is a soup served in Northern Thailand.  It is a coconut curry base with both fresh and crispy noodles and meat, typically chicken.  And this lady makes a mean Khao Soi.  In fact, I have enjoyed her Khao Soi both days we have been here.

Khao Soi

The women that work at the restaurant are surly and don’t speak much English, but it was easy enough to point at pictures on the menu and get what we wanted.

Lisa eating Khao Soi

But Chiang Rai isn’t only about Khao Soi.  The night market is justifiably famous for hot pot.  The vendors bring over a stoneware bowl resting on a bed of hot coals and plates full of ingredients — a meat of your choice, rice noodles, egg and a variety of vegetables and herbs.

Hot pot at the Chiang Rai night market

You mix everything together, let it boil for a few minutes and eat.  There are multiple vendors at the market and they each make their own broth so everyone has their favorite vendor.

Chiang Rai is also about street food.  Northern Thailand loves their grilled pork on a stick and so does Robert.

Robert eating grilled pork

In addition to the pork, Robert had some stuffed squid on a stick, and I had sticky rice on a stick. 

Squid on a stick

Neither of us went in for the crickets though.  Yep, they keep a big box of live crickets at the market and grill them up as needed.

Live crickets at the night market