The night before last, Ben and I jumped on the 16 hour night train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. It was a lot cheaper than flying and we got spots on the air-conditioned sleeper car.

Chiang Mai is hundreds of kilometers to the north of Bangkok. It’s an inland city/region known for its authentic Thai culture and the natural beauty of its mountains and rain forest. As we planned this trip on the fly, every person whose opinion I trust had told me, “you have to go to Chiang Mai.”

One of these people, Tim Patterson, aka Rucksack Wanderer, has spent months living and working on an organic farm one hour to the North of the city of Chiang Mai. The farm is called Pun Pun and Tim told us that they had just opened a restaurant in Chiang Mai, serving up all that organic goodness grown out on the farm.

He put me in touch with Yao and Krit—the Thai couple that runs the place. These are two of the nicest people I’ve ever met.

Tim’s article about Pun Pun Farm was just published on Matador too, so be sure to check that out.

We awoke at the Chiang Mai train station disoriented and a little roughed up from the 16 hour ride. We took a tuk-tuk straight to the Pun Pun restaurant to meet Yao and Krit. This place is really cool, and a ‘must-eat’ for anyone headed to Chiang Mai. They serve up a menu of delicious, organic, vegetarian food. I am as carnivorous as they come, so if you hear me give props to vegetarian restaurant, you know it’s good.

Just to start, I would recommend a “Pun Pun shake” (one of the best smoothies I’ve ever had) and the deep friend mushroom satay with spicy peanut sauce. CHRONIC.

After shooting the shit for a second with Yoa and Krit (who both speak excellent English), they told us that they had borrowed a friend’s car and that they wanted to drive us an hour north, to show us the Pun Pun farm and give us a professional lesson in Thai cooking. How could we not accept…

We left our packs at the restaurant and an hour later, we arrived at Pun Pun which is way out in the country. The farm sits on these beautiful, green foothills and looks out over a community of rice farmers.

It’s a pretty amazing spot and Yao and Krit teach a regular three-day cooking class on the farm, which I would also recommend. In a single night we made over ten different authentic Thai dishes. Hands down, the best Thai food I’ve ever had, and btw, I am now a card carrying Thai-chef-ninja.

Practical Info:

Pun Pun Restaurant
Just got to “Wat Suan Dok” and walk up the driveway…you’ll see little signs for Pun Pun. It’s right around the back, to the right. They have a nice little terrace with a big tree and umbrellas. Don’t miss this place!!

Also...I would highly recommend this three day cooking course. You stay with Yao and Krit, who as I said, are some of the nicest people I've ever met, and you learn how to cook incredible Thai dishes in an amazing setting, out in the nature of Chiang Mai, next to the Pu Pun organic farm!
www.yousabai.com
Punpunthailand.org

Tim’s article about Pun Pun Farm was just published on Matador too, so be sure to check that out.