Foodies Explore Warorot Market with Chef Phubase in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

   Go it alone or go with a local, but for a real treat, go with a chef! 

Chef Phubase from Akyra Manor Chiang Mai’s Italics Restaurant took the Foodies team out to Warorot Market (ตลาดวโรรส​), Chiang Mai’s most popular. This is no tourist trap or run-of-the-mill guidebook fodder. The market provides a huge range of homegrown goodies, not only for international visitors and travelling Thais but for Chiang Mai locals as well, all of whom are looking for some serious eats, drinks and shopping. “We love this market as it is multicultural,” says Chef Phubase with genuine affection. “It’s where you will find many cultures: Hindu, Sikh, Muslim, Chinese, and local people who sell their own products.” 

Enter from any side of this enormous 3-story building block and you’ll be met with all manner of produce and merchandise, from traditional hill tribe garb and handmade trinkets to thousands of varieties of dried fish, meat, fruit and vegetables. Freshly cooked Chiang Mai sausage hot off the grill and barrels of fermented fish paste produced right in Chiang Mai and in neighbouring provinces are also on offer. 

We even discovered the basement food court, bursting with exotic local specialities and sweet treats. We just can’t wait to tell you more about one special stall that won our hearts (watch this space). But to whet your appetite, we took the work out of this walking tour for you and listed a few of our favourite market stops and items that foodies cannot miss! 

 

CHIANG MAI SAUSAGE (ไส้อั่ว) 

 

 
 
 
 
 
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         Famous Chiang Mai pork sausages! You’ll find sai oua sausage all around town, but the Damrong (ดำรงค์​ ) stall was by far the most popular, with good reason. After a bit of harmless elbowing and sweating, we managed to savour some still-warm sausage (that’s how fresh it was) for ourselves.  Unlike some other sai ouas which rely on a basic base of just galangal, lemongrass and kaffir lime, this sausage also has additional depth from chili, shrimp paste, garlic, red onions, scallions, and coriander.

CHIANG MAI BREAKFAST: 

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Not your average breakfast in Chiang Mai! 

We’re no stranger to alternatives to Western style breakfasts but larb gai (spicy chicken salad), sticky rice, spicy Chiang Mai sausages and pork floss is definitely a new one. You will find this stand at the basement food court of Warorot Market.

LONGAN DRINK

 

 
 
 
 
 
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          The basement food court is where we found the best ready to eat meals including Hilltribe cuisine, but whatever you try, it must be washed down with a classic Chiang Mai drink, a drink made of longan or lamyai (ลำไย)​ which this food court is named after.

CRISPY PORK RIND/SCRATCHING 

 

 
 
 
 
 
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          We met the owner of this crispy pork rind company Mae Cham based in Chiang Mai. He sells various styles of local pork scratchings and fat “kap moo”, namely the ‘thin and crispy’ (middle), ‘full fat'(left), and the ‘classic'(right). He proudly notes that he changes the oil for every batch, which produces a cleaner taste and fluffier crispiness! This we can confirm. Wander around and find this fella, look for the yellow and red branding and his smiling face!

DRIED FISH AND MORE

 

 
 
 
 
 
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          If you’re into a more exotic souvenir, try Chiang Mai’s many varieties of dried fish, squid, and other creatures from the rivers and the sea for cooking or for snacking, but be wary of some of the pungent aromas. You will find these in one main section of the market that’s difficult to miss. Just follow your nose! 

RICKSHAW RIDE

 

 
 
 
 
 
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          Warorot market still has plenty of charm of Thailand’s bygone era and the bicycle rickshaws are still ever-present, so why not catch a ride?

CHIANG MAI – COFFEE

 

 
 
 
 
 
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          Well, you can’t leave Chiang Mai without trying their coffee which has become renowned throughout Asia. This gentleman has been in the business of coffee for over 10 years and collects the beans from his home village in Doi Saket, roasts and grinds them himself. He sells delicious icy or hot cups to thirsty market-goes looking for that coffee hit! Find him at his “Gold Coffee” stand outside … you guessed it… the Chinese Gold Shop at the Warorot Market, Chiang Mai.

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Thank you from Foodies Official Asia to Chef Phubase and the Akyra Manor Chiang Mai team for the amazing experience and wonderful support. 

Also a special thanks to Secret Retreats for directing us to all the best foodie retreats and eats! 

If you would like to book your own market tour with Chef Phubase or other Local Experiences follow this link: https://www.theakyra.com/chiang-mai/experience/be-inspired/suthep-local-market-tour-chef-phubase/ 

Akyra Manor Chiang Mai’s

Address: 22/2 Nimmana Haeminda Rd Lane 9, Tambon Su Thep, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50200
Tel:  +66 (0) 5 321 6219
Email: gm.akmc@theakyra.com
Website / Instagram / Facebook

Warorot Market ( ตลาดวโรรส​ )

Address: Wichayanon Rd, Tambon Chang Moi, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50300
Oparating time: 4am – 6pm
Website / Instagram