Purple Taste: Chiang Rai

Tuesday, June 10, 2025

[Travel] Exploring Chiang Mai & Chiang Rai - Quick Breakfast at Nai To Congee, Private Van Travel to White Temple, Blue Temple and Lunch at Lulum Restaurant

Posted by purple taste at 9:00 AM Labels: asian food, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, northern thai food, temple, thailand, travel 0 comments

We had a full day of travelling ahead, so we started early at 8am. Our transport was ready to take us for a quick breakfast then head up north to Chiang Rai to visit the White Temple (Wat Rong Khun) and Blue Temple (Rong Suea Ten Temple).

Arrived at Nai To Congee around 830am and managed to secure the last available table.

Nai To Congee shopfront

retro feels

order chit (with English menu)

multi-language menu

I didn't dare to drink since we will be on the road for the next 2 to 3 hours. Indicate your table number, mark the orders in the order chit and pass to the staff at the counter. Payment is after meal.

The place is self-serve style and staff would call out your table number if there's any dish that is ready for pick-up.

iced coffee @฿40

Dipping custard @฿50

pork congee with boiled egg @฿45

The congee is similar to Cantonese style where it has a drizzle of soy, sesame oil and some shredded ginger. Served with a soft boiled egg and yummy meatballs. The flavour is light so feel free to add more seasoning (available at the table) for stronger taste. It was unfortunate that the temperature of the porridge was just lukewarm.

Egg Pan @฿55

stir fried pork with holy basil fried noodles @฿65

stewed chicken feet @฿55

Fried rice with sausage @฿50

seats

Totally recommend the stir fried pork with holy basil on fried noodles, fried rice and the stewed chicken feet. So good!

We spent about SGD5 each for breakfast.

Nai To Congee Shop ร้านโจ๊กนายโต

Address: Ragang 2 Ko Alley, Tambon Hai Ya, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand

Website: https://m.facebook.com/NineToh/?locale2=th_TH

Business Hours:

Closed on Sun.

Mon - Sat: Monday, 7 AM–2 PM

It was a long long journey to Chiang Rai and we reached Wat Rong Khun (White Temple) at around 1215 pm. The toilet at this temple was impressive with its high number of cubicles and the cleanliness.

a surprise find

map of White Temple

There are places where one could explore if one does not wish to get the ticket to enter to the inner compounds of the temple.

entrance ticket

The bridge was the most congested when we visited as there were tourists blocking the space as they were busy taking photos of themselves posing at the bridge. One could hear instructions/warnings from nearby speakers in multi-language urging tourists to not stop at the bridge, and to walk quickly so as not to block others.

After wandering around for sometime, my mobile phone had overheated. It was indeed a super hot day. However, on hindsight, the hot weather was a blessing otherwise if it is raining then this trip might not be possible.

Here is wiki link to White Temple for more information.

Wat Rong Khun วัดร่องขุ่น

Address: Pa O Don Chai, Mueang Chiang Rai District, Chiang Rai 57000, Thailand

Website: https://www.tourismchiangrai-phayao.com/2022/05/09/wat-rong-khun-%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%94%E0%B8%A3%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%82%E0%B8%B8%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%99/

Business Hours:

Daily: Friday, 8 AM–5 PM

It was time for lunch, so we head off to Lulum which is near the Blue Temple.

signboard

interior

floating platform section

this, and this

coconut smoothie

grilled northern style sausages @ ฿149

fried small shrimps

deep fried vege

minced pork salad

grilled pork @฿149

Northern style appetisers @฿199

green pepper (not spicy, smokey)

shrimp fried rice @฿99

Steamed Tilapia with tom yum herbs @฿279

We didn't expect the portion of the dishes here to be so generous. Nevertheless, majority of the dishes were enjoyable. Loved the shrimp fried rice but the shrimp/prawns were blanched separately hence, not much taste on the shrimp. Fried rice was tasty. Steamed fish was good with tangy sauce and firm flesh.