Smoothie in Chiang Mai

smoothie cart

Hypothetically, let’s just say you’re in Chiang Mai and it’s a hot day. You’re pretty sweaty; you’ve seen a slew of beautiful temples and you’re fairly certain one more might put you over the edge. You’re thirsty – really thirsty – and a smoothie might just bring you back to a place of sanity. There’s no shortage of smoothie spots in this relatively tiny town, but I’m here to tell you where to get the best smoothie in Chiang Mai. I found out about what my Chiang Mai friends affectionately refer to as “Smoothie Lady’s Cart” from Bessie & Kyle, who were the ones to give me a one week crash course when I arrived here in January. I’ve been many times since, getting huge bear hugs and a winning smile from the Smoothie Lady herself, Mrs. Pa.

Coffee in Bangkok

A new coffee stand had opened near the corner of Ratchawithi Soi 6, overseen by a smart, earnest woman with the brightest smile in the district. She spoke no English but it didn’t stop her from getting her point across, muttering under her breath as she prepared the drinks with flamboyance and a wink. Her iced coffee was built in tiers – sweetened condensed milk, espresso, chocolate and topped with sweet cream. By all accounts, it was incredible. But I am not an iced coffee person and instead ordered a simple hot coffee with milk. The first time I stopped by, I asked for a hot coffee in Thai but she shook her head as though she misheard, and opened her vat of ice, pointing forcefully in its direction. “No,” I said, “hot coffee”. Shaking her head and muttering, she made me a hot coffee, strong and delicious. Off I went. The next day, I returned on the way to the subway, and asked for the same. She seemed more agitated than the day before, gesticulating and talking to me in Thai, which I could not understand. On the third day, she was prepared: she had asked a friend who spoke English to sit vigil until I showed up. The moment they saw my face the coffee lady exploded into rapid-fire Thai, punctuated by wild hand motions. “She wants to know” the friend said slowly “what is wrong with you that you drink hot coffee on a hot day.”

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