Ban Huay Food Market
A working Isan neighbourhood market where the food is aimed at people who live nearby, not at you.
Plan your visit
- Hours
- Open 24 hours daily
- Haggle at Markets, Not Malls
- Prices at market stalls are negotiable — start at 50–60% of the asking price and meet in the middle. Fixed-price shops and malls don't haggle. Smile and keep it friendly; aggressive bargaining is considered rude.
Tours that include Ban Huay Food Market
Skip-the-line entry, guided visits and day-tour combos around Ban Huay Food Market.
This placeBan Huay Food Market: tickets, guides & combos
Most bookings cancel free up to 24 hours ahead
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FoodStreet-food tours in Udon Thani
Most bookings cancel free up to 24 hours ahead
See pricesDay toursUdon Thani day tours
Most bookings cancel free up to 24 hours ahead
See pricesWhy go, and how to do it well
This is a market for eating, not for souvenir shopping. It sits in the Mak Khaeng area of Udon Thani, on Phon Phisai road, and the crowd is overwhelmingly local: people picking up produce, grabbing a plate of something cheap, getting on with their day. If you want Isan food at Isan prices with nobody handing you an English menu, this is the sort of place I'd point you to.
Expect stalls rather than shops, regional dishes and snacks alongside everyday goods, and prices low enough that you can order two or three things and barely notice. Mornings tend to be the strongest for fresh food and produce. Don't come looking for atmosphere laid on for visitors, because there isn't any, and that's rather the point. A little pointing and smiling goes a long way here.
Written by Mac Kiley · Updated Sep 2026 · How we check places
Experience hints
Pair your visit. After Ban Huay Food Market, round out your day in Udon Thani with contrasting stops nearby.
32 Phon Phisai, Tambon Mak Khaeng, Amphoe Mueang Udon Thani, Chang Wat Udon Thani 41000, Thailand
Open in Google MapsMore markets & shopping nearby
All within 1.6 km away of Ban Huay Food Market.
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Thai Isaan Market
A working local market in Udon Thani, open round the clock, geared to Isaan tastes rather than tourists.
Tips for Visiting Markets & Shopping
Arrive Early or Late
Vendors believe the first sale of the day is lucky — you'll often get a better deal if you arrive right when the market opens. Late in the evening, sellers may also discount to avoid packing unsold goods.
Be Cautious with Tailors
Bangkok has excellent tailors, but also many tourist traps. Avoid anyone offering suspiciously cheap suits or who approaches you on the street. Ask your hotel for recommendations, read reviews, and always get two fittings.
Claim Your VAT Refund
Spend 2,000+ THB at a single store displaying 'VAT Refund for Tourists' signs, get a yellow form at the register, and claim 7% VAT back at the airport. It adds up fast on bigger purchases.
Ban Huay Food Market: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ban Huay Food Market worth visiting?
Ban Huay Food Market holds a 4.1★ rating from 1,068 Google reviews — a strong rating for markets & shopping in Udon Thani.
What are the opening hours of Ban Huay Food Market?
Ban Huay Food Market is open 24 hours a day — see the full day-by-day schedule in the location info on this page. Hours can change on Thai public holidays, so check ahead for holiday visits.
When is the best time to visit Ban Huay Food Market?
The best months to visit Udon Thani are December – February (Red Lotus Sea blooms Dec–Feb), with the most reliable weather. Crowds peak in December – January (lotus season weekends) — going early in the day usually means fewer people. Months to think twice about: March – May (peak heat).
Where is Ban Huay Food Market located?
Ban Huay Food Market is at 32 Phon Phisai, Tambon Mak Khaeng, Amphoe Mueang Udon Thani, Chang Wat Udon Thani 41000, Thailand, in Udon Thani. Getting around Udon Thani: Songthaews on numbered city routes (฿10–15); Grab and metered taxis in the city.
Also popular in Udon Thani
Wat Pho Chai Phra Aram Luang
A working Nong Khai temple built around a gold Buddha that locals genuinely come to pray to, not photograph.
Nong Prajak Park
Giant inflatable ducks on a city lake, and half of Udon Thani out jogging around it at dusk.
Daeng Namnuang Nong Khai
Come for the naem nuang, the DIY pork-and-herb rolls that built this riverside institution's name.
Cafe Viet
Vietnamese cooking in a Mekong border town, done properly, and closed by six so plan lunch not dinner.
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