Chiang Mai Junction

Khao Soi

Northern Thailand's defining dish — egg noodles in a rich coconut-curry broth layered with braised protein, topped with crispy fried noodle threads and served with pickled mustard greens and shallots on the side

Larb

Minced meat salad dressed with toasted rice powder, fresh herbs, fish sauce, and lime — bright, funky, and properly spicy in the Northern style

Som Tam

Shredded green papaya salad with chilies, lime, fish sauce, and dried shrimp — expect real heat, not a tourist-adjusted version

Pad Thai

The standard benchmark dish — worth ordering here to gauge the kitchen's fundamentals, though the Northern specialties are the real reason to visit