How I did it: In north Thailand lies the town of Chiang Mai, famous for it's vast night bazaar and tour companies that offer treks into the hills of the Golden Triangle where you can stay with the opium growing hill tribes, ride elephants and river raft.  Another Chiang Mai specialty is water buffalo steaks, and the place that claims to have popularized it is Lek House, a back-packers' guest house on a quiet road in the north part of the city, only 15 minutes walk from the night bazaar.  The rooms are quite cheap, clean and roomy, and though there is inside dining, sitting at one of the outside tables in the garden is much more pleasant.  A must here is their famous water buffalo steak.  They advertise in all the tourist literature and are mentioned in the travel guides, like Lonely Planet.  Water buffalo meat is a deeper red than our beef at home and a bit chewier, but has a very good flavor.  They will ask you how you want it cooked.  I always go for medium rare, having found that to be the tastiest and least chewy.  Usually, some vegetables and fries come with the steak.  On my two trips to Chiang Mai, I've had the water buffalo steak at Lek House.  There are some other very good restaurants in Chiang Mai: one, a seafood restaurant right on the river.  I forget the name, but it's quite famous and has live music.  Another, I've mentioned before, the jungle food restaurant offering the only python steak in the world.  Chiang Mai is small and easy to get around, easy to find any place you're looking for.

Lessons & tips: Find Lek House's phone number in your travel guide if you're staying elsewhere and give them a call to make a reservation (You probably won't need a reservation, but it won't hurt to call.)  If you have only enough time for one dinner in Chiang Mai, go for the water buffalo.  If you have three nights, go for the 3 places I mentioned.  Be adventurous, try the python steak too.

Resources: Lonely Planet, tourist literature (Once you get to Chiang Mai, there are many free handouts), internet.

Dec 12, 08:16PM PST | 0 comments | 2 cheers