Neng’s Clay Oven Roasted Pork – Muang Mai Market — Restaurant in Chiang Mai Province

Neng’s Earthen Jar – Roasted Pork and Chicken: A Subtle Comfort in Chiang Mai

Tucked away in Chiang Mai, Neng’s Earthen Jar is one of those places that quietly impresses without trying too hard. It has become a reliable spot for me, a go-to whenever I want something satisfying yet familiar. My usual order is a mix of their signature dishes: a quarter of Roasted Chicken with Rice, Roasted Pork Belly, Shrimp Ceviche, and the Spicy Pork Bone Soup. Each dish has its own charm, blending flavors that are both comforting and well-balanced. The Spicy Pork Bone Soup is rich in herbs and spices, giving it a depth that feels both soothing and invigorating. While I’ve become more cautious with spicy food, this soup is one of those dishes I still find hard to resist. If you’re like me and prefer to adjust the heat level, just let them know—saying Pet Noi will tone down the spice, while Mai Pet keeps it mild. The Shrimp Ceviche is a refreshing contrast to the richer dishes, offering a citrusy, palate-cleansing brightness that pairs beautifully with the crispy Roasted Pork Belly. Speaking of which, the pork belly is done just right—lightly seasoned so the natural flavors shine through, with a crispiness that gives way to tender, succulent meat. The Roasted Chicken is another highlight. It’s juicy and subtly infused with Thai herbs, making it flavorful without being overpowering. It’s the kind of dish that feels effortless yet deeply satisfying. A friend ordered the Roasted Thai Chili Paste, and while I only took a small bite (spicy food and I have a complicated relationship these days), it had an interesting depth, almost reminiscent of roasted eggplant. It’s one of those flavors that sneak up on you, the kind that lingers just enough to keep you coming back for more though in my case, always with a bit of caution! Neng’s Earthen Jar doesn’t try to be flashy, and that’s what makes it great. It delivers well-prepared, thoughtfully balanced flavors in a way that feels honest and unpretentious. Whether you’re after something light or something hearty, there’s a quiet charm to the food here that makes it worth...

Mark Wein's Assessment on Nengs was right on! This place is great! You can smell the slabs of pork roasting in those earthen jars meters before arriving at the restaurant. Once there , you are greeted by servers who seat you immediately. Plenty of seating is available , even on the Monday night dinnertime when I was there. I ordered the Som Thom papaya salad and roast chicken with sticky rice.. I also ordered the morning glory with roast pork diced bits. Both were served within minutes. There's a dipping sauce served with that order of roast chicken. The chicken was perfectly cooked--super moist with that deeply roasted skin still perfectly intact. The morning glory was tender with enough snap to satisfy. Great flavor with diced roast pork floating among the green. The som thom salad was ordered at a Thai chili level 1 ( sorry Mark!🤣) which for me, was perfectly spicy enough. Excellent som thom with those small slices of salted egg. Water is free at the canister. Handicap doable and recommended. Prices very reasonable. Lots of local diners . Restrooms available but rustic to say the least Hand washing station located in the back corner. Friendly staff Lots of smiles Final take--Strongly recommended. I bought a packet of the roast pork for...

Recommended to us by a frequent traveller to Chiang Mai, this street-style restaurant should be on your “must-visit” list if you’re a fan of roast pork belly and/or roast chicken.

The meats on both the pork and the chicken are succulent, juicy and delicious. There’s clearly a lot of care in marinating the meats so they are infused with flavours, and in both cases the skin is crispy, delicious perfection (the crackling on the pork is absolutely on point).

We had chicken on rice. It came with a delicious broth on the side and two delicious dipping sauces - though like other reviewers we felt that the chicken was so good it didn’t need any sauce.

But the real star here is the pork. This is perfectly prepared crispy roast pork. Deeply infused with flavours and with an absolutely off-the-charts crispy crackling, we could have eaten several plates of this juicy, super tender meat.

One last thing. You can buy any of their meats for take away in 100g batches. Very worthwhile as they reheat perfectly under gentle heat.

Cost for dinner (including stir fried morning glory to accompany the roast pork and the chicken with rice): 250 baht (CDN $10.40) - fabulous value for money.

Highly...