Burmese Food in Chiang Mai: What to Eat & Where to Find It

When people talk about Chiang Mai’s food scene, the conversation usually starts and ends with khao soi. And yes—it’s fantastic and a must-try. But northern Thailand’s culinary story doesn’t stop there.

One of Chiang Mai’s most overlooked (and most rewarding) food experiences lies just beneath the surface: Burmese cuisine.

Thanks to centuries of migration and trade across the Myanmar–Thailand border, Chiang Mai is home to a quietly exceptional Burmese food scene—deeply spiced, comforting, and distinctly different from Thai cooking. If you care about eating like a local (and avoiding the tourist traps), Burmese food is not optional. It’s essential.

Why Burmese Food Belongs on Your Chiang Mai Itinerary

Burmese cuisine balances Indian, Chinese, and Southeast Asian influences, resulting in food that feels familiar yet entirely its own. Expect:

• Earthy spices instead of sweetness

• Oil-based curries rather than coconut milk-heavy sauces

• Fermented flavors that bring complexity and depth

• Rice and noodles served with multiple accompaniments rather than single bowls

In Chiang Mai, Burmese restaurants are typically casual, affordable, and considered “everyday food” for locals, which makes them an easy miss for visitors. That’s your cue to seek them out.

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What to Order: Burmese Dishes You Shouldn’t Skip

Lahpet Thoke (Tea Leaf Salad)

A national dish of Myanmar and one of the most unique salads in Southeast Asia. Fermented tea leaves are tossed with crunchy beans, nuts, tomato, cabbage, and chili. It’s tangy, bitter, spicy—and completely addictive.

Khauk Swe (Burmese Noodle Soup)

Often compared to khao soi, khauk swe is its quieter, more savory cousin. The broth is subtly spiced rather than coconut-forward, usually topped with chicken, crunchy noodles, and pickled accompaniments you customize at the table.

Burmese Curry Rice Sets

Instead of one main dish, you’ll be served several small curries—usually pork, chicken, or fish—alongside rice, soup, pickles, and vegetables. Think of it as Chiang Mai’s most comforting lunch format.

Where to Find Burmese Food in Chiang Mai

You’ll find many of Chiang Mai’s best Burmese restaurants outside the Old City, especially near:

• Chang Phueak

• Santitham

• Nimmanhaemin side streets

Look for places filled with locals, laminated menus, and minimal English. These are usually your best bets.

Pro tip: If the restaurant offers multiple curries and serves them fast, you’re in the right place.

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My Pick: Why The Swan Burmese Cuisine belongs on your Chiang Mai food list

Tucked just north of the Old City, The Swan offers a relaxing, leafy-garden vibe — a refreshing contrast to Chiang Mai’s bustling street-food hubs. Reviewers rave about its fresh, flavorful Burmese dishes, particularly the famed tea-leaf salad, which many say is among the best they’ve tasted.

This is a great spot if you want a break from Thai food: the flavors lean more herbal and balanced than the typical curry/chili-driven Thai dishes, and the menu includes plenty of vegetarian-friendly options.

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The Bottom Line

Burmese food in Chiang Mai isn’t trendy. It’s not flashy. And that’s exactly why it matters. It adds cultural depth to your trip and helps you understand Chiang Mai not just as a tourist city—but as a living crossroads of cultures.

If you want to eat beyond Instagrammable cafés and tourist menus—if you want food that tells a deeper regional story—don’t miss Burmese cuisine. It’s one of Chiang Mai’s most authentic culinary experiences, hiding in plain sight.

Looking for specific restaurant recommendations or a Chiang Mai food map? I share curated local spots and travel-tested guides over at The Borderless Traveler—where good planning meets great food.