Mae Hong Son’s mountain towns are home to the Shan (Tai Yai) people, and their cooking sets the province apart: fermented soybean, gentle curries and rice steamed in banana leaves. Pai adds a lively evening market.
What to eat in Mae Hong Son
Khao kan jin
Rice mixed with pork and herbs, steamed in a banana leaf and topped with crispy garlic. Map
Tua nao
Fermented soybean, sold as dried discs or paste and used to season many Shan dishes.
Kaeng hang le
A mild pork curry with ginger and tamarind.
Khanom jeen nam ngiao
Rice noodles in a tomato and pork broth.
Shan snacks
Rice crackers, sweet sticky-rice cakes and tea-leaf salad at local markets.
Markets and where to eat
- Mae Hong Son morning market – Shan food in town. Map
- Jong Kham Lake night market – evening stalls by the lake in the high season. Map
- Pai Walking Street – a busy evening market in Pai. Map
Mae Hong Son has no MICHELIN-listed restaurants. Opening times change often, so check before you go.
Food at festivals
The Poy Sang Long novice ordination, usually held around late March to early April, brings Shan food stalls; dates vary. See our Mae Hong Son travel guide.
FAQ
What is special about the food here?
It is Shan (Tai Yai) cooking with fermented soybean and mild curries.
What can I bring home?
Dried tua nao and Shan snacks.
Where is the best evening market?
Pai Walking Street or Jong Kham Lake in Mae Hong Son town.
Is the food spicy?
Usually milder than central Thai food.
More to read
Cover photo: 2013 Khao kan chin.jpg · Takeaway · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
