The Street Food Checklist

Northern Thai cuisine is famously distinct from the rest of the country, and local street market food courts are the absolute best places to sample it. When exploring the stalls, map out your dinner by tracking down these five must-eat dishes:

• Khao Soi (Northern Thai Coconut Curry Noodles): A rich, creamy coconut curry broth served with tender chicken and flat egg noodles, topped with crunchy fried nest noodles.

• Sai Oua (Chiang Mai Sausage): A grilled pork sausage packed with aromatic local herbs including lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and galangal.

• Mango Sticky Rice: The ultimate classic Thai dessert featuring sweet, ripe mango slices over warm glutinous rice doused in salted coconut cream.

• Khanom Krok (Coconut Pancakes): Small, round, custardy street snacks cooked in a cast-iron pan that are crispy on the outside and warm and soft on the inside.

• Fresh Fruit Smoothies: Customize your own ice blend with mango, passionfruit, watermelon, or dragonfruit to stay cool while walking through the crowds.