Cheap and cheerful 30 baht Thai Food
Tucked along Changphuak Soi 2 near the Si Phum area of Chiang Mai's Old City, this small family-run eatery has earned a devoted following among locals and travellers alike for its honest, home-style Thai cooking at prices that are genuinely hard to believe. Most dishes come in at 30 to 35 baht, served over rice, with options including pad krapow, Chinese kale with fried pork, omelettes, and rotating daily specials. Everything is cooked to order by a small team of warm and welcoming women, giving the place an unmistakably local, neighbourhood feel — more like eating at a family kitchen than a restaurant. The atmosphere is no-frills and unpretentious, with basic seating that fills quickly as workers, students, and regulars from the nearby school crowd in. Portions lean on the smaller side, as several visitors note, but at these prices a second dish is entirely reasonable. A water jug is available for self-service, and a fried egg can be added to any dish for an extra 5 baht. Good to know: The kitchen opens at 6:30 AM and runs until 3:00 PM, Monday through Saturday, making it well-suited to breakfast or an early lunch. Arriving before 11 AM generally means shorter waits and the widest selection of daily specials. Cash is strongly recommended. The restaurant is closed on Sundays.
Experience hints
Pair your visit. After Cheap and cheerful 30 baht Thai Food, round out your day in Chiang Mai with contrasting stops nearby.
Visitor Reviews
2025: Chinese kale fried pork on rice with a sunny side up fried egg, 35 ฿ (same price as last year) This is my Go-To must visit. Lovely owner. Wonderful and yummy food. Always cook to order, it is always fresh and hot to eat. I love it so much I can come everyday if I could. (Closed on sundays) 2024: Lovely place run by smiling couple, they seems to enjoy their work and food very much. I ordered kailan fry meat (pork) on rice and adding one fried egg, 35B, very affordable. The portion is standard Thai but I like it this way, yummy and will come again.
Delicious, as I suspected! Can’t beat 30 baht cooked by an auntie. The omelette was delicious and I’ll be back to try other meals. Update - pad krapow was yummy too! Smaller than portions at other restaurants but I kind of like that - perfect amount at an affordable price! Khap kun kaaa 🙏
My favorite place in Chiang Mai to eat. Very happy and friendly women working here. Local vibe on a street across from school. Rice comes with each dish. +5 Baht per fried egg. There's a water jug to refill water cups. Food is made fresh and tastes amazing. 5 STARS!
Location Info
119, 5 ถนน Changphuak Soi 2, Tambon Si Phum, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50200, ThailandVisitor Information
Best time to visit
November – February
Avoid: March – May (smoke & heat)
Rainy season
June – October
Avg. temperature
15°C – 36°C(59°F – 97°F)
Crowds
Peak: December – January & Songkran (April)
Getting there
Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) has direct flights from Bangkok (1 hr), Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur. Overnight sleeper trains from Bangkok take ~12 hrs.
Getting around
- •Red songthaews (shared pick-up trucks)
- •Grab (available in city centre)
- •Motorbike rental (฿150–250/day)
- •Tuk-tuks (negotiate price first)
Where to stay near Cheap and cheerful 30 baht Thai Food
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Tips for Visiting Restaurants & Food
Learn the Spice Scale
Say 'mai pet' for no spice, 'pet nit noi' for a little spice, or 'pet mak' if you want it Thai-hot. Most cooks will default to a toned-down version for foreigners unless you specify otherwise.
Follow the Crowds
The busiest street stalls are almost always the best — high turnover means fresh ingredients and a recipe that locals vouch for. An empty restaurant at dinner time is a red flag.
Ice Is Safe
Factory-made tube or cylinder ice (used in virtually all restaurants and stalls) is made from purified water and is safe to consume. You don't need to skip the iced Thai tea.
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Location Info
Visitor Information
Best time to visit
November – February
Avoid: March – May (smoke & heat)
Rainy season
June – October
Avg. temperature
15°C – 36°C(59°F – 97°F)
Crowds
Peak: December – January & Songkran (April)
Getting there
Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) has direct flights from Bangkok (1 hr), Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur. Overnight sleeper trains from Bangkok take ~12 hrs.
Getting around
- •Red songthaews (shared pick-up trucks)
- •Grab (available in city centre)
- •Motorbike rental (฿150–250/day)
- •Tuk-tuks (negotiate price first)
Where to stay near Cheap and cheerful 30 baht Thai Food
Find hotels in Chiang Mai on the booking sites travellers trust most.
We may earn a commission from bookings made through these links — at no extra cost to you. Learn more.