When it comes to Thai food in Wichita, there are so many great options that are really all worthwhile. But if you were to ask me which one I would put as number one, I would have to say Chiang Mai Thai Restaurant. It’s not just one of the best Thai restaurants but one of the best spots in south Wichita….. or should I just say all of Wichita?
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3141 S Hillside, Wichita, KS 67216
316-652-8910
Monday – Saturday: 11am – 9pm
Sunday: 11am – 8pm
Cash/Card Accepted
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Any bucket list I’ve ever put out, Chiang Mai has always been on it. They have a vast menu of many traditional Thai dishes that span popular favorites and some relatively unknown ones the casual diner may not be aware of.
Their website has their full menu where you can also order online. It’s not too often you find a small south side restaurant with online ordering capabilities but Chiang Mai has got you covered!
When it comes to restaurants I’ve visited most, Chiang Mai is up there. I’ve had so many different dishes but on this most recent trip, I wanted to go a different route for my main entrée.
But before that, I had to begin with my go to; Som Tum Thai which was a papaya salad with chili pepper, lime juice, and tomato served with cabbage. Like most Thai dishes, it can be ordered at any spice level. I asked for medium and it still had plenty of heat. I love this cold papaya salad dish which has a crispy cucumber-like flavor to it which is only enhanced by the heat. If you’ve never had any sort of papaya salad, it’s highly recommended next time you visit Chiang Mai or any Thai restaurant.
Next up, I had a cup of Tom Yum Chicken soup which included fresh lemon grass, chili pepper, cilantro, and green onions. No visit to any Thai restaurant is complete for me without soup. It’s a very fragrant soup that has a distinct hot and sour flavor to it. I’ve read that it’s one of the healthiest soups in the world. Since I’m no health nut, I’m not sure how valid it is but I’m going to tell myself it’s true and believe it. It helps me sleep at night.
For my main course, I ordered the spicy basil duck. I’ve had spicy basil chicken and pork before and figured duck would be an awesome alternative. The sliced roasted duck came with a mix of vegetables and a side of rice. It was like a stir-fry dish of sorts.
Everybody, this blew my socks off. Actually I’m lying, I was wearing sandals that day but you get the idea. It was an incredible dish that had me stuffed halfway into it. The duck was juicy with a strong meat flavor. I loved the roasted skin as well. It was mixed in with a bunch of vegetables with a small pond of a spicy sauce sitting underneath. Once combined with the rice, it was music to my taste buds. I love spicy basil dishes of all sorts and this was no different.
The food portion you get is more than enough. You get what you pay for and more.
I can’t stress enough how important it is for everyone to at least give Chiang Mai a try at least once. While it’s no secret that our city has tremendous options for Thai food, you won’t be doing yourself justice if you just stick to one place. Visit Chiang Mai and your taste buds along with the incredibly nice staff there will be forever grateful.
Happy Dining,
Eddy
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