Chiang Mai: a treat for market lovers

Looking back at our time in Chiang Mai, it seems like a good deal of it was spent wandering around the city's various markets. No wonder: Chiang Mai's markets burst with life, bright colours, sweet fragrances and cheerful local vendors..

Love at first bite: Khao Soi

Despite being a popular street dish in northern Thailand, Khaoi Soi is not frequently served in Thai restaurants abroad. Hence I had never tried it before our stay in Chiang Mai last week. Well, what a welcome surprise! Khao Soi - sometimes also called Chiang Mai Curry Noodles - consists of a mild thin coconut-based soup featuring hand cut egg noodles, pickled cabbage, shallots, lime and chicken, and topped with deep-fried crispy egg noodles.

Franco-Thai fusion at La Table de Tee, Bangkok

If you happen to be in Bangkok and in the mood for a fancy meal without breaking the bank, I can only recommend you to try La Table de Tee. Tucked in a small street near Lumpini Park, this little gem of Franco-Thai fusion serves a delicate five-course menu prepared by Tee, a discrete 26-year old Thai chef.

We had a great time there again last week, and a very nice chat with Tee himself, who came out of his kitchen to meet us after dinner. I should soon be able to share one of his original recipes on this blog, so you can try your hand at Franco-Thai cooking... In the meantime, I invite you to visit La Table de Tee's website to learn more about Tee's story and his weekly changing menu.

Jim Thompson's steamed coconut rice, Bangkok

Each one of my visits in Bangkok has to include a short stopover at the Jim Thompson's House. The famous silk items first drew me to it a few years ago. However it is more for the calm of the place and its restaurant's light cuisine that I come back every time now, especially since the green papaya salad I once ordered came accompanied by a simple yet unforgettable coconut flavoured rice...