Tianzi Asia Restaurant Review

by Brian Baxter

This well established vegetarian restaurant must be one of the most ‘laid back’ and relaxing eating experiences you can find in Chiang Mai or all of Thailand for that matter. It serves organic and macrobiotic food and specializes in teas including one called Immune, for which health claims are made(100 baht).

You will find it next to a busy bar and only a few yards from and opposite the Imperial Mae Ping Hotel. I offer these directions simply because it is an unobtrusive kind of place. You enter via some wooden steps and come into a courtyard where the main serving area is found, with cushions and support laid out beside tables at raised floor level. There is another room further on with a conventional table and chairs. The atmosphere is quiet and relaxing.

The menu is clearly stated and divides into simple sections beginning with a choice of soups such as Creamy Pumpkin (90) or Miso (80) and so on. There are a variety of salads from which I chose the Reddish (80) which had a combination of shredded vegetables in a slightly sharp and tangy dressing. More substantial dishes included Buckwheat noodles (100) and the brown rice salad. I chose this and was extremely glad that I opted for the ‘small’ portion which was substantial enough for me to ask for a carry home bag. The organic rice comes on top of a bowl with seeds, nuts, various herbs and vegetables, seasoned with apple vinegar and sesame oil. To accompany this I chose the fried tofu with sesame seeds and a side dish of sesame oil and seeds. Once again this was too much for one person and the best advice I can give is to go with friends and make a selection of dishes. It might be worth choosing some of the tastier food, such as the mushrooms in garlic or the single non vegetarian dish (Canadian smoked salmon) to complement the salads and other choices which can seem a trifle bland. That way you can try the many choices of stir fried vegetable dishes and other choices and may have room for one of their small range of puddings, such as the buckwheat pancakes or just the fresh fruit salad. All of this can be accompanied by a choice of fruit juices, cherry, papaya, banana and others (60) or of course green tea or their more exotic offerings from Yannun province in China. No alcohol is served but I guess they would not object to you bringing your own.
It might be a good idea to go in simply for a choice of tea and a sweet dish such as the corn cakes with sesame and honey or the pancakes. Or on Tuesday or Wednesday only they offer a buffet lunch at a very modest 150 baht. Whichever you choose it is worth making the trip to this rather unusual and easy going eatery.

You can find it at 119/1 Kampangdin Road and they are open each day except Sunday from 10 in the morning until 10p.m. The telephone number is 053 449 539.

Find more details about the restaurant, recommended menu items, map, etc.