1. Jia Tong Heng
(193/2-3 Sridonchai Rd., Tel. 053 275242 / 273593)

What's What: One of Chiang Mai's golden oldies, Jia Tong Heng has been open for 50 years and remains one of the city's most popular Chinese restaurants. Wander through the rather ordinary fan section to an air-conditioned inner sanctum with wine red walls and table cloths, sleek, slate-coloured granite floors and stylised Oriental wood panelling. Jia Tong Heng's circular tables and Lazy Susans make it easy to share an array of different dishes without anyone missing out, so order a feast of Cantonese morsels and utilise your spin power. Usually bustling with big groups, the restaurant is a great option for a crowd of friends or business associates, less so for a romantic couple's dinner.

What's Hot: Be open minded: try the dubious looking thousand-year-old eggs, they are actually very good. Better yet, order the starter platter which is heaped with an assortment of spring rolls, deep fried crab balls and a bean sprout stir fry, as well as the ancient eggs. Other recommendations are stewed duck with Chinese herbs, fried Chinese spinach with oyster sauce, and black fungus with fried egg.
Open daily 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.

2. Le Spice
(In the Night Bazaar next to Galare Food Centre, Soi 6, Tel. 053 234962 , 081 2713559)

What's What: An overnight talk of the town, this Indian restaurant serves top notch fare as good as any place you might find in Bangalore or Bradford. Brightly decorated in the Indian style and very spacious, this is a breezy break from the maelstrom of the shopping street. As well as Indian food they serve Thai and ethnic Thai dishes, alcoholic drinks, lassis and Indian teas.

What's Hot: The chicken tikha masala and the chicken tikha (oven baked chicken in Indian herbs) are always a safe bet, they also have an excellent array of veggie dishes, most remarkable, the spinach with cottage cheese balls (palak paneer) in a rich sauce. And whatever you do, don't forget to order plenty of tasty nan breads.
Open daily 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.


3. Nong Bee
(28 Nimmanhaemin Rd., opposite S'Pangya DVD Rental, Tel. 053 220848)

What's What: Given Burma's geographical proximity to Lanna and the sizeable Burmese population living in Chiang Mai, it's surprising that Chiang Mai offers only a handful of places where you can sample its neighbour's tasty, down-to-earth cuisine. The few Burmese restaurants that do exist are simple, unassuming establishments, hard to find unless you know where to look. Nong Bee is one of these: no frills here, just wholesome, home cooked food. Prices (and decor) are similar to a humble guay-tiaw shop, but the restaurant offers authentic Burmese and Shan dishes along with a selection of Thai favourites. The menu changes daily here, though certain staples are almost always available.

What's Hot: Laphet dok, a traditional Burmese salad made from fermented tea leaves, tomato, peanuts, crispy fried soy beans, chilli and garlic, is addictively delicious, while pennywort salad is lighter, greener, probably healthier and makes a good accompaniment dish. Thick and delicious bean soup is a must if available.
Open daily 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.


4. Tsunami Sushi Bar
(Huay Kaew Rd., opposite Lanna Condo II, Tel. 087 1899338)

What's What: This smooth operation offers high quality sushi, sashimi and other Japanese fare at affordable prices and is always humming with a steady stream of customers. The food is fabulous, and an extra draw card here is watching the formidably skilled chef in action as he whips up sushi at lightning speed. Come early to bag a place at the open-air sushi bar - seating inside or upstairs is good for larger groups, but doesn't cut it if you're hoping to pick up some rolling tips. Tsunami fills up quickly, so be prepared to stand in line if you arrive after 6 p.m.

What's Hot: Tuna sashimi, salmon teriyaki, California maki rolls (cucumber and crab stick wrapped in rice and an outer layer of roe) and spider rolls (sushi rolls filled with deep fried soft shell crab).
Open daily 5.30 p.m. - 11.30 p.m.


5. Suan Doi Vietnamese Restaurant
(Soi 38/3 Huay Kaew Rd., turn left just before Hillside 4, Tel. 053 221869)

What's What: Located within pleasant surroundings made up of labyrinthine paths, jungle-esque flora and talking miner birds, this Vietnamese treat is oddly wonderful. The menu is a tome - you may book mark the pages - with scores of dishes you've probably never heard of: healthy, quirky and not too expensive (B80 average per dish). An excellent hideaway restaurant with tons of fresh ideas and cools things to look at.

What's Hot: Typically Vietnamese, you get the chance to play around with your food, making rolls from rice paper and adding all manner of herbs, spices and pickles. The fried chicken with special sauce wrapped in cha-phlu paper is very tasty, as is the deep fried shrimps on pumpkin slices cooked with cream and herbs. For do-it-yourself dishes try the grilled pork balls with mixed fruits, aromatic herbs and rice paper.
Open everyday 7 a.m. - 9 p.m.


6. Mabuhay
(2/1 Nimmanhaemin Rd., Soi Sukasem, Tel. 053 903517-8)

What's What: The one and only Filipino restaurant in the city is nestled down a quiet soi in what looks like someone's house. The place is very chilled, and as well as serving Filipino faves it also doubles as a cake shop. You've probably passed it a hundred times and never noticed it, word on the street is, once bitten, forever smitten!

What's Hot: The succulent spare ribs (almost too big for one person), boneless marinated fish, Mabuhay chicken and the salads. They also serve fruit juices, teas, coffee and many desserts. Some dishes can take a while to cook, so don't go if you're in a rush.
Open 10.30 a.m. - 9.30 p.m.


7. Korean Restaurant
(193/3 Chang Klan Rd., near Italasia, Tel. 053 272282, 081 5951103)

What's What: You could say that the name of this eatery doesn't suggest too much creativity on the owner's part; the decor too, is actually quite plain. Nevertheless, the restaurant makes up for this by cooking some fabulous Korean dishes that are not fused or abused, just down-to earth meals cooked in the traditional style. Each meal comes with a free selection of ten side dishes, which range from salted fish, pickled vegetables, kimchi, beans and cockles.

What's Hot: The bulkoki, or thin sliced barbequed beef is the main highlight on the menu. You can also choose between pork, streaky pork and other meats for the barbeque and the waitress will cook them on the electric stove on your table. The side dishes are a great complement to all the meat dishes, offering up all kinds of different tastes. Koreans are mad about kimchi, so make sure you at least try some; there are many kinds of kimchi, and while to most of us one is about the same as another, never mention this to a Korean! You might also try some Korean dumpling soup with sliced beef and Korean noodles. Another very typical Korean dish is bibambap, this is a bowl filled with many vegetables, sometimes meat, sometimes rice and a fried egg. You add some sauce and then mix it all together.
Open 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.