Dara Dalay

Run by the same people behind Chiang Mai's organic farm and homestay of the same name, this restaurant is, for many, home to Bangkok’s best khao soi (noodles in northern-style curry). From a tree-enshrined shack in Dusit, they do a brief list of northern specialties like kanom jeen nam ngiaw (rice vermicelli with spicy pork and tomato soup). Almost every dish here is made with organic vegetables grown on the farm either here or up north. 

Pichai Market, Pichai Rd., 086-378-3837. Open Mon-Sun 11am-8:30pm

Gedhawa 

Down a quiet soi off Sukhumvit, this family-run restaurant dishes out pleasantly light khao soi, refreshing pomelo salads, and home-style kua kae (stir-fried vegetables with chicken) in a Lanna-inspired setting: potted orchids, hanging tung (northern flags), bright pink walls and dark-wood furniture. With its friendly prices, this chilled-out spot is the perfect place to escape the city madness.

Hom Duan  

Ekkamai’s much-loved northern-Thai diner is so successful that it even opened a branch in Chiang Mai last year. At lunch, queues form for rows of homemade khao gaeng-style offerings, spicy sai oua (northern sausage) and khao soi gai—all at rock bottom prices. With brushed concrete floors, hanging ferns and metal lampshades, this is a cut above your average streetside diner.

Ekkamai Soi 2, 085-037-8916. Open Mon-Sat 9am-9pm

KIN by Eats Payao 

After departing its bright orange home on leafy Yen Akart, this former street stall now resides in a spacious 80-seat, Lanna-inspired restaurant just up the road. Here, they’re continuing their reputation for luscious khao soi and sour-spicy gaeng hang lay, throwing Thai-inspired cocktails into the mix. With Thai-Singaporean owners, you’ll also find dishes like Hokkien mee on the menu.

Tivoli Hotel, 71/2-3 Soi Sri Bumpen, 083-262-6142. Open Tue-Sun 11am-2:30pm, 5pm-midnight

Exclusively for Citi credit card members: Get 20% discount 15 Aug ‘19 - 15 Aug ‘20

Kruajiangmai 

Authentic khao soi gai, housemade nam prik noom (green chili relish) and nam prik ong (chili, tomato and ground pork dip) are here presided over by Chiang Mai-native Chinnanan Sethachanan. Discover rare dishes like khao ngiao (steamed rice with pork blood and herbs in banana leaves) and stir-fried pak chiangda (a northern vegetable) with egg.

125/24 Sukhumvit Soi 55 (Thonglor), 02-019-6515. Open daily 11am-10pm. Also available on FoodPanda.

Exclusively for Citi credit card members: Get 5% discount on food only 16 Aug ‘19 - 31 Jul ‘20

Marn Mueng

From a down-to-earth, country-style wooden house, Lumphon-raised owner Anchalee Prommart dishes out flavor-packed home recipes. On any given day there are 30-40 different curries and a self-service fresh vegetables station. Start your meal with the kong kao wai, a platter of northern-style hors d’oeuvres covering sausage, crispy pork belly and minced pork stuffed in fried northern green chili.

Sammakorn Village, Ramkhamhaeng Rd., 02-729-6275. Open Wed-Mon 10am-9pm 

Ong Tong Khao Soi

The people behind Chiang Mai’s beloved Ong Tong noodle shop have sprouted up in Bangkok. The highlight khao soi gai comes with a creamy yet spicy soup and a tender chicken drumstick, while the khao soi haeng sai oua is a stir-fried version starring homemade northern-style sausages. Do also try the deliciously moist puu ong (a mash of grilled rice-field crabs’ eggs and egg).

21 Phahon Yothin Soi 7, 02-003-5254. Open daily 10:30am-8:30pm

Porwa

This grownup little bistro delivers the big, bold flavors of Chiang Mai near BTS Phaya Thai. A pot of fiery nam prik nom serves as the centerpiece of a northern tasting platter served with the works. Other regional favorites like khao soi, jin som mok kai (fermented minced pork with egg in a banana leaf boat) and hang lay are also represented, alongside fusion-y offerings like sai oua spaghetti.

69/34 Phayathai Rd., 061-464-7917. Open ThuTue 11am-9pm

Thai Niyom 

Though this restaurant specializes in dishes from all the kingdom’s regions, it’s included here for one simple reason: its incredible sai oua. The owners follow their own recipe, ensuring a juicy and unique flavor. A glistening gold and red sign welcomes you into the two-level space, where you’ll also find pork ribs in Isaan tom saep (spicy soup), Chiang Mai deepfried pork belly, southern classics and more.

Mahatun Plaza, 888/28-29 Phloen Chit Rd., 02-044-1010. Open Mon-Sat 11:30am-10pm

Exclusively for Citi credit card members: Get 10% discount on food only when spending THB 1,500 or more /sales slip 01 Mar ‘19 - 31 Aug ‘20

Put on your stretchy pants, forget about the macros and tuck in to BK Best Eats 2019. This is the Bangkok dining that ignores fancy restaurants and 10-course tasting menus and goes straight for the comfort food—steaming bowls of fat-rich ramen, triple-decker burgers, all-you-can-eat dim sum buffets with an extra helping of pork buns. In other words, the stuff most of us eat out, most of the time.

Download your PDF copy of the guide here.