Payod Shan food(vegan/vegetarian) — Restaurant in Chiang Mai Province

Visiting Chiang Mai and looking to spice things up with a tasty vegan adventure? You absolutely need to swing by Payod Shan Food, a charming spot serving delicious Shan-style vegetarian dishes. Shan cuisine, originating from northern Thailand and Myanmar, has unique flavors you'll instantly fall in love with. Most dishes here are fully vegan-friendly—perfect for plant-based food lovers and curious eaters alike!

Let's dive straight into the deliciousness: this place has an amazing range of dishes featuring tofu crafted from all sorts of beans—everything from chickpeas to peanuts! They creatively mix these tofu variations into spicy, tangy salads, making each bite refreshing yet wonderfully zesty. Besides tofu, their menu boasts yummy soups, fried rice, and noodles, guaranteed to make your mouth water just reading about them!

But honestly, the highlight of my meal was their signature dish: "Rice noodles in tofu gravy soup" (or in Thai, "ข้าวฟืนอุ่นเหลือง"). Originating from Myanmar and northern Thailand, it's a beloved local breakfast or afternoon treat. Trust me, the moment the steaming bowl arrived, the rich aroma of creamy tofu gravy and hint of chili oil had me hooked instantly.

The silky, soft rice noodles come drenched in a rich, velvety soup made primarily from yellow beans—imagine a savory, rich soybean milk, perfectly thick and flavorful. Topped generously with crispy garlic bits, spicy chili oil, crunchy crushed peanuts, and fresh cilantro, every spoonful was an exciting burst of flavors and textures. It's gently sweet, subtly spicy, incredibly aromatic, and truly heartwarming—total comfort food!

This dish is especially ideal in the mornings as a warming breakfast or as an energizing afternoon snack after exploring Chiang Mai. The cozy atmosphere of Payod Shan Food, along with their friendly, welcoming service, adds to the relaxing experience, making every visit a delightful escape from your daily hustle.

So next time you're strolling through Chiang Mai, be sure to treat yourself at Payod Shan Food. I promise, their delicious vegan Shan dishes will leave you smiling and...

I was thrilled to finally try Shan cuisine, was so looking forward to try the chickpea tofu noodle with peanut tofu gravy dish for quite some time. It's been quite a challenge to find where I live. I ordered the gravy noodle (served warm) and the chickpea tofu spicy salad.

The gravy noodle dish didn't quite hit the mark for me, as I found it to be quite heavy due to the thick noodles and the gravy. The tofu element in the gravy was more liquid than I anticipated; I was expecting something closer to a tofu or pudding texture. And the tofu gravy was a bit flavorless for me. It was a surprise to discover noodles buried underneath all that tofu hahaha (I should've known better), and I couldn't really finish the dish.

However, the spicy salad dish was a different story! The tofu here had the soft, pudding-like texture I enjoy, and it tasted nice, especially with the crushed peanuts, pickled vegetables and other veggie toppings. (I specify everything not spicy, so I'm not sure if it'd be spicy otherwise)

You can get free side veggies and other toppings at the counter.

They also offer a great variety of other plant-based Thai dishes. The "duck and pork" rice dish looked really tempting, but I was already too full to try it. I'm definitely considering trying other Thai dishes on my next visit or from Grab.

The price was quite reasonable at 100 THB for both dishes.

Self-service with ordering and payment done at the counter, free water. I went in at an unusual time at 4pm so I was the...

The menu certainly piqued my interest with its diverse and options and being that it shan / Myanmar Food – a definite point in its favor. However, the thrill of potential culinary discovery was quickly dampened by the state of the menu itself. It was undeniably hard to read and, unfortunately, quite filthy (at the table I set at and next to). As for the food, my meal landed squarely in "good, not great" territory, enjoyable enough but lacking that special spark. The staff interaction was a mixed bag. While everyone was friendly, there was a noticeable lack of polish and understanding of basic service principles. The counter-service model felt impersonal and disconnected without a simple greeting or thank you. It's possible that this minimalist approach is deliberate, reflecting the restaurant's overall vision. However, if that's the case, it might be worth considering that even a tiny touch of warmth and attentiveness could significantly enhance the overall dining experience and turn a decent meal into a truly memorable one.

I will give this restaurant a second chance. More after...