Eating Street Food at the Saturday Night Market in Chiang Mai

One of my recent goals during my time in Chiang Mai has been to do more sightseeing and explore different parts of the city, namely all the different markets. I had walked past the Saturday Night Market before, but I had never really walked down Wualai Road on a Saturday night when all the vendors and food stands set up shop. On this particular weekend, Sam and I were lured over by the smell barbecue, pad thai, and baked sweet potatoes and we decided to do some filming while we were there.

 Here’s a look at the all the little snacks you can expect to find. We ate a lot!

What to Eat at the Chiang Mai Night Market: Foodie Paradise in Thailand 

Fried Dumplings

After living in Korea for a year, and eating gun mandu (군만두) almost daily, neither of us could resists getting a serving of pan-fried dumplings. Filling and delicious! Price: 30 baht

Snow Ice Cream

I noticed people walking around with little ice cream cups covered in fruit, and I naturally started following their trail. I mean, who doesn’t want ice cream? I finally came across a little side street serving up ‘snow ice cream’ which was similar to shaved ice with a bit of cream. Again, lots of toppings to choose from here including blueberries, kiwi, mango, strawberries, lychee, chocolate chunks and oreo cookie crumbs. Price: 29 baht

Twist Potato

Twist potato or tornado chips are a fun little snack that I first tried in Korea. A potato spiral is stretched out on a skewer, cooked in oil until crispy, and then you can choose from an assortment of flavours to sprinkle over top – cheese, barbecue, paprika, white cheddar. As you can see in the video, I didn’t like the thought of sharing…but I did. Price: 20 baht

Dim Sum & Spring Rolls

I first tried dim sum when I was travelling through Malaysia, and it is now a food that I immediately associate with breakfast. (Most Chinese restaurants I encountered in Malaysia started serving tea and dim sum at 5 in the morning!) While this dim sum wasn’t as amazing as what I had in the tea houses of Melaka or Georgetown, it was a nice little treat. Price: 40 baht

German Sausage

Ah, the barbecue! This is what lured us over to the night market. Price: 20 baht

Banana Egg Roti

Lastly for dessert we had one of our favourite treats: banana egg roti with a generous amount of chocolate syrup and sweet condensed milk drizzled over top. The perfect way to end our self-guided tasting tour of the Saturday Night Market! Price: 35 baht

Saturday Night Market Chiang Mai: Ultimate Visitor’s Guide (What to Eat, How to Go & Tips!)

Where & when (so you actually get a seat)

• Location: Wualai Road (the “silver street”) just south of the Old City, starting near Chiang Mai Gate and running toward Wat Sri Suphan.
• Hours: Stalls typically set up ~4:30–5:00 pm; peak bustle 6:30–9:00 pm; many vendors wind down by 10:00–10:30 pm (earlier in rainy season).
• Best time: Arrive before 6 pm to snack without shuffling shoulder-to-shoulder. If you like neon night vibes, go 8–9 pm and embrace the crowds.

Getting there (and back with a full belly)

• On foot: If you’re staying in/near the Old City south wall, you can walk to Chiang Mai Gate and follow the stream.
• Songthaew (red truck): Flag one down and say “Wualai Market.” Fares are 20–40 THB within central areas when sharing.
• Tuk-tuk / Grab: 60–150 THB depending on distance/time; agree on price before you hop in.
• Scooter: Parking fills up fast; arrive early and use temple lots only if attendants wave you in.

How the market is laid out (and where the food hides)

• Main spine: Wualai Road becomes pedestrian-only with long lines of vendors (crafts, clothes, snacks).
• Side sois: Duck into signed alleys and temple courtyards for clustered food courts with plastic tables.
• Anchor point: Wat Sri Suphan (Silver Temple) area often has denser food options plus live music. (Note: women aren’t permitted inside the ordination hall, but the grounds and outside art are still worth a wander.)

What to eat beyond the classics (prices are typical ranges)

🔥 Northern Thai essentials

• Sai Ua (เชียงใหม่ไส้อั่ว – Northern herb sausage) – aromatic, lemongrassy, slightly spicy. 30–50 THB / piece
• Nam Prik Ong / Nam Prik Noom – tomato-pork dip or roasted green chili dip served with veggies/crisps. 40–60 THB
• Gaeng Hang Lay – Burmese-influenced pork belly curry, sweet-tangy. 50–70 THB with rice
• Khao Kha Moo – braised pork leg over rice with pickles. 40–60 THB
• Sticky rice baskets – to pair with literally everything. 10–15 THB

🍢 Grills, skewers & crunchy things

• Moo Ping / Gai Yang – pork or chicken skewers. 10–15 THB each
• Grilled squid – rings or whole baby squid brushed with chili-lime sauce. 40–80 THB
• Fried chicken skin – sinful and glorious. 20–30 THB / bag
• Tornado potato – spiral spud dusted in paprika/cheese. 20–30 THB

🍜 Noodles & hot plates

• Pad Thai – the crowd-pleaser. 40–60 THB
• Pad See Ew – wide rice noodles with soy and Chinese broccoli. 40–60 THB
• Khao Soi – rich Northern curry noodles with crispy toppings (less common here than at daytime shops but you’ll sometimes spot it). 50–70 THB
• Oyster omelette – wok-sputtered, crisp edges. 60–80 THB

🍬 Sweets & drinks

• Kanom Krok – coconut rice mini-puddings, hot off the griddle. 20–30 THB / 6 pcs
• Coconut ice cream – in a husk with toasted peanuts & sticky rice. 30–40 THB
• Mango sticky rice – a classic; ask for “nam manoi” (less syrup) if you prefer. 50–80 THB
• Snow ice / shaved ice – pick your fruit toppings. 25–40 THB
• Thai tea / lime tea – sweet, milky or zesty. 25–40 THB

Hygiene & safety: how we choose stalls

• Follow the line. High turnover = fresher ingredients and hotter oil.
• Watch it cook. Opt for made-to-order over long-sitting buffets.
• Color and smell check. Bright greens and sizzling pans are good signs; avoid limp herbs and tepid sauces.
• Handy kit: Sanitizer, wet wipes, tissues, tiny trash bag.
• Allergies: Peanut sauces, fish sauce, shrimp paste are common—say “แพ้ถั่ว/แพ้กุ้ง/ไม่เอาปลา” (allergic to nuts/shrimp / no fish).
• Water: Sealed bottles or bring a reusable and refill at your hotel.

Money, budgets & bargaining

• Cash is king. Most vendors are cash-only; a growing handful accept Thai QR.
• Small bills: Break 1000s before you go; vendors love 20s/50s/100s.
• Bargaining: Food prices are posted and already cheap—no haggling. For crafts, polite bargaining is fine; smile and counter once.
• Sample budgets:
  • Snacker (150 THB): 2 skewers (30), dumplings (30), kanom krok (25), iced tea (30), grilled banana (20), tip jar (15).
  • Feast mode (300–350 THB): sausage (40), pad thai (50), hang lay + rice (70), mango sticky rice (70), coconut ice cream (35), lime tea (30), roti (35).

A DIY tasting crawl (one hour, six bites, big smiles)

Start: Chiang Mai Gate, 5:30 pm (beat the rush)

1. Sai Ua (40 THB) – share a piece, wake up your taste buds.
2. Moo Ping + sticky rice (45 THB) – dunk in chili-lime.
3. Dim sum or fried dumplings (30–40 THB) – your crunchy, juicy interlude.
4. Pad See Ew (50 THB) – noodles with smoky wok-hei.
5. Kanom Krok (25 THB) – coconutty lava pucks—careful, they’re hot!
6. Banana egg roti (35 THB) – drizzle condensed milk to finish.
   Sip along: Thai milk tea (30 THB).

Which night market fits you? (Quick comparison)

Pack this checklist

• ✅ Small bills (20/50/100 THB)
• ✅ Hand sanitizer, tissues, wet wipes
• ✅ Reusable tote / cutlery (skip single-use)
• ✅ Light rain jacket (Nov–Feb can still surprise you)
• ✅ Comfortable shoes (uneven pavement)
• ✅ Phone with Grab + offline map pinned to Chiang Mai Gate
• ✅ A big appetite

Handy Thai phrase card (screen-shot it!)

• I’ll take this, please. — Ao an-níi khráp/kâ
• Not spicy / a little / very spicy. — Mai phet / phet nít-nòi / phet mâak
• How much? — Tâo-rài?
• Delicious! — A-ròi mâak!
• Thank you. — Khòp-khun khráp/kâ
  (Men say khráp, women say kâ.)

Saturday Night Market Chiang Mai: FAQ

What time should I arrive to avoid the heaviest crowds?

Get there by 5:30–6:00 pm. You’ll snag hot food without long lines, grab a table in side courtyards, and still catch the market as it lights up.

Can I visit if it’s raining?

Yes—vendors often set up awnings and tarps. Bring a light rain jacket and embrace it: rain can thin the crowds and make the grills extra photogenic. Some stalls may close early in heavy downpours.

Is the food spicy?

Some of it! Ask for “mai phet” (not spicy) or “phet nít-nòi” (a little spicy). Northern dips and sausages carry heat; noodle dishes and grilled skewers can be made mellow.

How much cash do I need?

200–350 THB per person feeds most appetites very well. Bring small bills (20/50/100s). A few stalls accept Thai QR payments, but cash is safest.

Are there bathrooms?

Yes—temple compounds and temporary facilities along the route (small fee, usually 3–5 THB). Carry tissues and sanitizer.

Is it stroller or wheelchair friendly?

The main road is flat but crowded, with occasional cable covers and puddles. Arrive early for easier navigation; temple courtyards often have smoother seating zones.

What if I have allergies?

Learn/print allergy terms (nuts = thùa, shrimp = gûng, fish = plaa), point to them, and choose made-to-order stalls where you can see ingredients. Avoid pre-sauced skewers and dips if unsure.

Can I bargain?

Not on food. Prices are posted and fair. For crafts, polite bargaining is fine (try 10–20% off), but keep it friendly.

Where can I sit to eat?

Look for side sois and temple courtyards with plastic tables, or snag a stool by popular wok/grill stands. Avoid blocking foot traffic along the main spine.

What unique Northern dishes should I prioritize?

Try sai ua (herb sausage), gaeng hang lay (pork curry), nam prik noom (roasted green chili dip), and kanom krok (coconut puddings) for dessert. If you spot khao soi, grab it.

Is Saturday Night Market different from the Sunday Walking Street?

Yes. Saturday (Wualai) leans local and foodie with silverwork; Sunday (Ratchadamnoen) is larger and artsier, with more performances and heavier crowds. Do both if you can; eat at Saturday, browse at Sunday.

What’s the easiest landmark to start from?

Chiang Mai Gate. Tell your driver “Chiang Mai Gate,” walk straight onto Wualai, and let your nose do the navigating. End near Wat Sri Suphan and loop back via side courtyards.

Do you enjoy night markets?

What’s the best street snack you’ve ever tried?