The story
Kiti Panit General Store is housed in a teak mansion built in 1888, once the first general store in Chiang Mai. The building was uninhabited for 50 years before undergoing extensive renovations using local artists and craftsmen to restore the original woodwork, ceilings, flooring, staircase, and panels. Original furniture still makes up the décor. The restaurant is still owned by the 5th generation of descendants of the Chinese immigrants who founded the store.
The kitchen focuses on Northern Thai (Lanna) cuisine, with a menu that spans relishes, salads, starters, soups, grills, mains, and desserts. Signature dishes include Khao Soi Gai, a northern curry broth with egg noodles and chicken, and Khao Soi Neua, with stewed beef shank. Relishes like Nam Prik Ong (tomato relish with vegetables) and Nam Prik Num (eggplant relish) are classic starters. Among the salads, the fermented tea leaf salad (Yam Bai Cha Muk) and the jackfruit dip (Tam Khanun) stand out. Starters include fried chicken wings with prickly ash (Gai Tod Makwan) and northern pork sausage balls (Sai Oua). Grilled dishes range from whole grilled chicken (Gai Yang) to the famous “Crying Tiger” beef (Seua Rong Hai). Mains offer northern pork curry (Hung Lay Moo) and stir-fried beef with prickly ash (Kua Neua Makwan). Desserts like grilled caramelized mango with pandan sticky rice (Khao Niaw Mamuang Yang) and seasonal passion fruit cheesecake round out the meal.
Kiti Panit’s commitment to authentic Northern Thai flavors in a lovingly restored heritage setting earned it a Michelin Recommended award in 2026. It is a place where the building’s history and the cuisine’s traditions come together seamlessly.
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