When it comes to sausages, I know my stuff. While I haven’t tried every single one in Chiang Mai, I can confidently say that the best Sai Oua (Northern Thai Sausage) in the city can be found at Mae Hia Fresh Market, also known as Talad Sod Mae Hai. It’s a subjective choice, of course, but based on local recommendations, the long queues, and the daily volume of sausages they grill up, this place is tough to beat.

Mae Hia Fresh Market

The stall at Mae Hia Market, or what could be better described as a mini kitchen, is called Gao Makham (which translates to “under the tamarind tree”). It’s a bit tricky for those who don’t read Thai, but if you’re looking for it, just head to the corner of the market near the road where you’ll spot long queues waiting for their turn. This is where they grill up the Sai Oua sausages so fresh and crumbly that they fall apart when poked with a stick.

Finding Gao Makham

Unlike hawker stalls in places like Singapore or Malaysia, Thai people aren’t typically fond of waiting in long lines unless they’re in air-conditioned comfort. However, to find Gao Makham, you need to look for the queues. There’s another similar stall called Sai Oua Samonprai (which means “herbal sausage”) across the market, and while it’s also a top contender for the best sausage, Gao Makham remains a favorite.

Herbal Goodness

Both stalls serve sausages that are packed with herbal flavors, and when I say herbal, I mean the best-known Thai flavors: lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, chillies, and galangal. This combination gives the sausages a wonderful sour, spicy kick, similar to the flavors you’ll find in Isaan dishes like prik kaeng (a Thai spice mix). This balance of heat and fragrance makes the sausages truly stand out.

Lanna Favorites at Mae Hia Market

While the journey to Mae Hia Market might seem like a trek, it’s definitely worth it, especially if you’re a fan of Lanna cuisine. Beyond the sausages, this market is a treasure trove of Northern Thai favorites. When we’re traveling further afield, Mae Hia Market is our go-to spot for road trip snacks. We pick up staples like kap moo (crispy pork skin), nam prik noom (grilled green chili dip), and naem mok (steamed fermented pork), all served with sticky rice. There are also heartier dishes like kaeng hang leh (fruity pork curry), nam niao (tomato curry), and the famous Khao Soi (Burmese curry noodle soup).

Food on the Go

The great thing about Mae Hia Market is that most of the food is sold to-go, making it perfect for road trips. We often grab our snacks and eat in the car—though eating in the car comes with its own set of risks, like avoiding the 5,000 baht fine for eating in certain areas. But it’s worth it when you get to enjoy these delicious treats. On our last trip, we were accompanied by a Vietnamese friend who had been hesitant about Thai food until she tried Sai Oua. The flavor was so good, it broke down her food snobbery. By the end of the trip, she couldn’t get enough and even became a fan of Khao Soi. Who knows? She’s now thinking about moving to Chiang Mai!