One thing I quickly noticed about Ban Luang in Chiang Mai is that food is everywhere, especially once the sun starts to go down. During the day, the area feels quite calm, but as soon as dusk arrives, the side of the road slowly becomes alive with food stalls, bright lights, smoke from the woks, and of course, the delicious smell of food being cooked fresh.
No wonder some restaurants close early here. The real dinner scene seems to happen outdoors, right by the roadside. Just a few kilometers away, you can already find another food bazaar, which I think is amazing. It gives the area a very local and lively feeling, like food is naturally part of the evening routine.
I decided to check out the food bazaar near where I was staying, close to Wat Phra That Chom Tong. It was not as big as the night markets I have seen in other places, but I still thought it was worth exploring. Sometimes, smaller food spots feel more personal and less overwhelming, which I actually enjoy.
There were stalls selling ready-made meals, snacks, drinks, and desserts, but I was looking for something cooked on the spot. I wanted that freshly made, hot-from-the-wok kind of meal. So when I saw one stall actively stir-frying with a wok, it immediately caught my attention.
The name of the stall, based on the literal translation from the signage, is Bua Khao Pad Krapow Restaurant. I hope I got that right haha. Their menu had plenty of choices, but since I was not sure what to order, I went for something familiar: Pork Basil Rice.
I have eaten pork basil rice many times back in Singapore, so I had a little basis when it comes to flavor and taste. It made me curious whether a street-side version in Chiang Mai would be as good as the ones from restaurants. Who knows, maybe I would be surprised.
There was already a queue when I arrived, which is usually a good sign. A lot of locals were ordering food to bring home, so I also ordered mine for takeaway and planned to eat it back at the hotel.
While waiting, I enjoyed observing how the stall worked. It seemed to be family-run, which was wonderful to see. The mother was the main chef, confidently handling the wok. The father and elder son helped with packaging and serving, while the youngest son managed orders, tickets, and even cooked the eggs. I have to say, they were very organized. Everyone had their own role, and the whole process looked smooth even with many orders coming in.
Once my food was ready, I brought it back to the hotel, already excited to try it.
First impression: the presentation was neat! For only 50 Thai Baht, I was honestly impressed. The meal came with rice, pork basil, cucumber slices, extra sauce with chili, and a sunny-side-up egg that looked freshly cooked and perfectly done. The yolk was bright and glossy, and the pork basil looked so appetizing with fresh basil and bits of red chili.
Mind you, I ordered the less spicy version, but I was still a bit worried it might be too spicy for me. So before going back, I also bought watermelon just in case I needed something refreshing. Good decision, LOL.
And yes, the spice level was still a bit much for me, but in a good way. It had that strong, savory, spicy kick that makes you keep eating even while reaching for water. The basil was fragrant, the pork was flavorful, and the rice helped balance everything. The cucumber also gave a nice fresh crunch in between bites.
The watermelon was another small happiness. It only cost 17 Thai Baht, but it tasted so sweet and refreshing. It was the perfect side snack after the spicy meal.
Overall, my dinner cost 67 Thai Baht, which is roughly around 2 USD. Amazing, right? For that price, I got a freshly cooked, filling, flavorful meal plus fruit on the side.
This was my first street-side comfort food experience in Ban Luang, and it definitely made me excited to try more food here in Chiang Mai.
Bon appétit.
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