I’m not a morning person at all, something which not having a regular nine to five job has perhaps let get a little out of hand. Snooze? Yes please! But on Friday mornings in Chiang Mai I’ve been known to hop out of bed as early as 6 am.
Why?
To eat Shan noodles at the Friday morning market! 
Maybe a bowl of noodles, chilies and peanuts topped with soy goo doesn’t sound like the best breakfast, but it really is. Seriously, pancakes and omelettes may be delicious, but they’ve got nothing on this spicy noodle porridge.
While Shan noodles are the main event (for me at least), the Friday morning market is also a great place to buy cheap produce and sample a huge variety of Burmese and Chinese dishes and snacks. Most of the vendors are Muslim Chin Haw (Chinese who migrated to Thailand via Burma or Laos), which makes this market stand out from the rest in Chiang Mai. In fact, some people will refer to this market as the “Burmese market,” while others might call it the “Chin Haw market,” or “Kad Chin Haw.”
Does the name “Chin Haw” ring a bell? It might be because of their notorious involvement in the Golden Triangle drug trade. But don’t worry, I’ve never noticed any herion at this market, just a lot of vegetables.
Chiang Mai’s Friday morning market is also the place to come if you’re looking for packets of tea leaf salad, which I think we can all agree is the best salad in the world – if you haven’t tried it, get yourself to a Burmese restaurant now!
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also sample the buckets of pickled mystery food found at many of the market’s stalls. 
Not pictured: the fresh samosas and rice donuts I gobbled up as soon as I bought them (sorry, blog).
A question for the foodies out there: what’s up with these blue chickens? 
How to get to Chiang Mai’s Friday morning market:
The market is held across the street from Chiang Mai’s largest mosque, off of the Night Bazaar street.
Get there early if you want to eat – some of the stalls run out of food by 9 am.
fred says
Looks like black boned chickens.
Yeah, there usually some weird food stuff at that market!
Silvia says
Mystery solved! Maybe next time I’ll have to buy one to try it out.
Ali says
it seems great. food is the most important thing for chinese guys whether in their home land or out of it.
Silvia says
Ha so true! I had some of the best food of my life in China. And also some of the strangest.
Ali says
i can smell the freshness of the foods from your photos
Shaun says
Interesting find! I will have to seek this out next time I’m in Chiang Mai. Love me some Smurf chicken.
Shaun
http://www.thislifeintrips.com
Silvia says
But could you eat Smurf chicken?! And yeah, the market is definitely worth a Friday morning trip!
Catherine says
Everything looks and sounds so tasty…except those blue chickens! What is with them? Don’t think I’ll be trying them out anytime soon!
Silvia says
No idea about the chickens… but the rest of the food really is tasty!
Courtney says
Although I would have never guessed that noodles would be a good choice for breakfast, they certainly look delicious! That’s crazy that some of the vendors run out of food by 9 am. That’s so early! Beautiful photos as always 🙂
Silvia says
Yeah it’s definitely an early bird market, but totally worth it for those breakfast noodles!
Miriam of Adventurous Miriam says
You know you’ve been in Asia long when you start eating noddles and rice for breakfast 🙂 I haven’t visited the food market before, but I’ll definitely give it a go next time I’m in the area. Hope you’re enjoyed Thailand!
Silvia says
Haha so true! I remember when I started enjoying eating salmon, rice, and salad for breakfast while living in Japan. Big life moment there.
Lavi says
I need to check this out the next time I get back to Chiang Mai! I had some questionable cold fish when I was there. I think it’s time for a do-over!
Silvia says
Oh no, definitely seems like you need a do-over!
Vanessa says
The noodle breakfast is surely not ideal but chilies, peanuts and soy goo (I’m guessing hoisin sauce)on top of noodles sounds really good. Asian foods specially those sold in markets are usually fresh too..so that is one more point to try a good Asian Breakfast at the market.
Silvia says
Good point, Vanessa, everything at the market does seem super fresh! There’s something about the gooeyness of the noodles that makes it like porridge. Maybe not the absolute healthiest breakfast, but the chilies definitely help to make me up!
Farzin says
It’s not soy goo lol its made from gram flour. So basically like a version of lentil porridge with toppings. They soak the flour with water and cook till it thickens
Leah says
Ohh this post makes my heart ache for Thailand!! I miss it so much sometimes! Market food is definitely the best food, tea leaf salad is AMAZING! Speaking of Burmese food, my all-time favorite restaurant in Chiang Mai was always The Swan, I tell EVERYONE I know to eat there!
Silvia says
Mmm yum, that makes me want some Burmese duck egg curry!
Victoria@ The British Berliner says
OMG! It all looks amazing! I just got back from Asia about a week ago and these photos are not only bringing back wonderful memories but are also making my mouth water, and it’s only 08:27 in the morning!
I went to Chiang Mai but only went to the Night Markets. I don’t think early morning markets are my thing. I’m on holiday LOL!
Silvia says
Haha yeah, early mornings are never my thing, but this market really is worth making an exception for! My tummy is rumbling just thinking about it…
Julia says
As a fellow-non morning person, I would make an exception for those noodles too. They look delicious! Those blue chickens not so much 😉
Silvia says
Right? I still daydream about those noodles.