Huen Muan Jai is a hugely popular restaurant in Chiang Mai, specialized in the traditional Northern Thai cuisine. The restaurant opened its doors in 2011 and since then, people have to wait in line due to popularity.
Huen Muan Jai is located close to Hua Lin Corner, just outside the older parts of Chiang Mai. The restaurant can be recognized by its teak wooden structure. As Huen Muan Jai is completely made of teak wood, the atmosphere is unique. You instantly have the feeling you are entering something unusual, yet beautiful and traditional. This feeling will be increased when you notice the traditional decorations places all over the restaurant, such as traditional lamps, handwoven cloths and even a bicycle taxi. Huen Muan Jai is a two-story building with plenty of seats. But during high season, without a reservation, it’s almost a guarantee that you have to wait in line. Why? Because their traditional Northern Thai food is even better than the traditional atmosphere.
The menu of Huen Muan Jai is not that large, with six pages of Northern Thai food, however, the variety and uniqueness of these dishes are what makes it so good. The dishes are not that large, making it perfect to order several dishes per group in order to really experience the authentic Northern cuisine. The following dishes are highly recommended.
The first highly recommended dish is the Or Dep Muang (220 THB), which is a sample of several Northern appetizers. This includes two types of nam phrik, a Northern Thai dipping sauce. You dip it with steamed vegetables. One dip is made of green chillies, making it a bit spicy. The other dip is made of tomato and it more sweet and herby. The sample is also served with grilled pork belly, Northern Thai sausage, crispy baked pork and a Northern Thai pork curry. This appetizer is easily shareable with two and gives you the largest Northern Thai taste explosion available at Huen Muan Jai.
Credit: Huen Muan Jai เฮือนม่วนใจ๋ Facebook
Location: 24 Ratchaphuek Alley, Tambon Chang Phueak, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50300
