LaLarb-LaLoung / ละลาบละล้วง

LaLarb-LaLoung / ละลาบละล้วง
44 Moo 1
Chang Phueak
Mueang Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai 50300
Thailand

https://www.instagram.com/lalarb.laloung/?hl=en

Mee Siam / Rice Vermicelli Noodles Siam (THB ฿90)

Modern Plates, Mischievous Spirit

(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 7
Ambience & Setting: 7
Food & Beverage: 7
Service: 5
Value for Money: 9
Spent about THB ฿162 / SGD $7 per person.

.....

Opened in January 2025, LaLarb-LaLoung / ละลาบละล้วง is a casual eatery that doesn't take itself too seriously, as evident by its name which translates to 'meddling / intruding'. Mischievous spirit aside, LaLarb-LaLoung is popular for its authentic Northern Thai dishes at wallet-friendly prices, presented in an instagram-worthy setting. No surprise LaLarb-LaLoung quickly gained word-of-mouth amongst the younger demographic of locals.

Ambience at LaLarb-LaLoung feels like stumbling upon a hidden Lanna lounge designed by someone who grew up in grandma’s kitchen surrounded by Instagram mood boards. The space, tucked inside a revamped wooden house, channels a relaxed Northern Thai vibe. Cool breezes drifting through the open balcony, wooden beams polished but imperfect, strings of warm fairy lights catching on brass utensils and woven baskets hanging along the walls. The under‑house open seating has a casual street‑side hum, while the balcony offers a slow languid pace. It’s the kind of spot where friends linger over conversation.

Service at LaLarb-LaLoung is unhurried yet attentive. Staff greet guests with wide smiles and quick refills, yet there’s little rush to turn tables, a rare find in places with social‑media hype. Orders are taken with genuine recommendations, but the lack of spoken English and a confusing menu without photos meant that the kitchen got our orders incorrect several times, with staff offering service recovery through complimentary desserts. Plates arrive promptly, but not so fast they feel prepped in advance, there’s a good pause to let your appetite catch up to the aromas drifting over from the open kitchen at back. Cleaning up is done leisurely.

Food at LaLarb-LaLoung is traditional Northern Thai and Lanna cuisine, presented in visually-appealing style but never overdressed, carrying its signature soul. It’s food with a pulse, rooted in Mueang Chiang Mai’s street‑side soul, but plated for social media without losing its bite. Expect big punchy flavours, rich with herbs or spices, yet still balanced on the palate. Portions are designed to be shared over communal dining, but the portion size per plate is only small to medium, enabling diners to order more variety. Prices are wallet-friendly and affordable, more so than elsewhere, budget about THB ฿162 / SGD $7 per person.

.....

LaLarb-LaLoung Signage

LaLarb-LaLoung Exterior

LaLarb-LaLoung Interior

Seating Outdoors

Seating Indoors

Cry Buy

The Beer Tawandang Rosé (THB ฿80) is a rose beer, brewed by the Tawandang German Brewery in Chong Nonsi, Yan Nawa, Bangkok, Thailand. It has a cloudy amber red colour, with aromas and tastes of raspberry, wheat, red cherry, and vanilla. The body is medium-light, fizzy, and refreshing, with tart fruity sour zesty sweet bitter grainy flavour, and a lingering acidity finish.

Beer Tawandang Rosé (THB ฿80)

The classic staples of Khao Plao / ข้าวเปล่า / White Rice (THB ฿15) and Khao Neow / ข้าวเหนียว / Sticky Rice (THB ฿10) accompany a meal here.

Khao Plao / White Rice (THB ฿15)

Khao Plao / White Rice

Khao Neow / Sticky Rice (THB ฿10)

Khao Neow / Sticky Rice

There's usually eggs and vegetables in a Northern Thai meal, such as the ubiquitous Khai Jiao / ไข่เจียว / Fried Egg Omelette (THB ฿25), the region-special Khai Pam / ไข่ป่าม / Grilled Eggs In Banana Leaf (THB ฿60), or the wholesome Pak Wan Kai / ผักหวานผัดไข่ / Stir-Fried Sweet Leaf With Egg (THB ฿70).

Khai Jiao / Fried Egg Omelette (THB ฿25)

Khai Jiao / Fried Egg Omelette

Khai Pam / Grilled Eggs In Banana Leaf (THB ฿60)

Khai Pam / Grilled Eggs In Banana Leaf

Pak Wan Kai / Stir-Fried Sweet Leaf With Egg (THB ฿70)

Pak Wan Kai / Stir-Fried Sweet Leaf With Egg

In Northern Thailand, pork and pig offals reign supreme, appearing in many local regional dishes, while beef is used almost as widely. The quality of pork and beef here is high, and dishes such as Kaeng Om Neau Esan / แกงอ่อมเนื้ออีสาน / Issan Beef Curry (THB ฿60), Larb Neua / ลาบเนื้อ / Minced Beef Salad (THB ฿70), Moo Krob / หมูกรอบ / Crackling Deep-Fried Pork Belly (THB ฿60), and Sai Krok Esan / ไส้กรอกอีสาน / Issan Fermented Pork Sausage (THB ฿60), are well-executed and delicious.

Kaeng Om Neau Esan / Issan Beef Curry (THB ฿60)

Kaeng Om Neau Esan / Issan Beef Curry

Larb Neua / Minced Beef Salad (THB ฿70)

Larb Neua / Minced Beef Salad

Moo Krob / Crackling Deep-Fried Pork Belly (THB ฿60)

Moo Krob / Crackling Deep-Fried Pork Belly

Sai Krok Esan / Issan Fermented Pork Sausage (THB ฿60)

Sai Krok Esan / Issan Fermented Pork Sausage

We also tried and enjoyed several signature dishes here, such as the tasty En Kor Gai Tod / เอ็นข้อไก่ทอด / Deep-Fried Chicken Cartilage (THB ฿60), the unique Hor Mok Pu / ห่อหมกปู / Steamed Crab Curry Custard (THB ฿65), and the surprisingly familiar Mee Siam / หมี่สยาม / Rice Vermicelli Noodles Siam (THB ฿90). The Wun Kati Maprao / วุ้นกะทิมะพร้าวอ่อน / Coconut Milk Jelly (THB ฿Complimentary) was served to us complimentary as a form of service recovery, due to the kitchen getting our orders incorrect several times.