Thonglor may be a culinary haven offering a gamut of local and international dining options, but it is sadly missing a go-to for northern Thai cuisine, which is distinctively known for mouth-watering dishes elevated by aromatic herbs. Kruajiangmai finally fills in the gap. Starting out as a delivery service, the specialty-food purveyor has opened a standalone restaurant in Thonglor, becoming the only establishment in the area that’s dedicated to Lanna cuisine.
Run by Chiang Mai-born restaurateur Chinnanan Sethachanan, Kruajiangmai dishes out northern fare that strictly follows the recipes created by the former’s grandmother. Most of the ingredients are freshly sourced from the north, with sai oua (northern Thai sausage) and relishes made from scratch by Chinnanan’s family in Chiang Mai.
The restaurant’s menu sees a long list of Northern staples that come with pocket-friendly (by Thonglor standards) prices, such as nam prik noom (relish of long green chili, shallots and garlic) and nam prik ong (chunky spaghetti sauce-like dip loaded with ground pork). These make their way into platters (B195) that include sai oua, pork rind and side vegetables. The khao soy (B150) is delightful, served with a tangle of egg noodles and tender beef shanks swimming in a thick orange spicy broth, while the kha nom jeen nam yeow (B95) features fresh rice noodles doused in a spicy and tangy clear broth filled with ground pork and chopped tomatoes. Kruajiangmai also offers a selection of dishes that may sound unfamiliar, like pork rib soup with chiang da, a northern Thai vegetable known for its anti-oxidant properties.
Desserts look to coconut milk-based options like khanom kho (chewy balls stuffed with crispy coconut filling, B60). Delivery services are, of course, still on offer.