BoonpunZaruAndDon - chiang mai, thailand

Rating:  7 / 10

Gyudon bowls are not something I typically veer towards. I've nothing against them, it's just I generally like my spice or soup so this kinda falls inbetween. However, in Chiang Mai, one night a group of friends from "We Didn't Land On The Moon" bar decided to head over there, so we crammed into the backseat of a taxi, passing the nightmarket with tourists vying deals (rip offs). 

My friends opted for the soba noodles, I went for the gyudon bowl with a soft egg yolk, ponzu sauce, seaweed and some greens. A small bowl of chilli oil on the side gave me hope.

It ate like a  treat, but was a tad too sweet for my likings. Even the healthiest plunge of chilli oil couldn't rescue it from candy-territory, a flavour profile I tend to avoid in all my munchings.

However, if you're feeling frisky and tired of Khao Soi, then do stop by here for some good quality food made by a dedicated chef in a trendy little eating hole.

These recommendations are just personal opinions based on my palate, things change, chefs get fired or replaced, places open-close, relocate, so take it all with a pinch of MSG  and discover your own gems too. But please do try a few of these, they have been researched exhaustively.