One of the most addictive and delicious bites we had in Tokyo; caramelized walnuts and dried fish. Traditionally used as a garnish for rice, but absolutely delicious right out of the cup. #japanfoodie #nomnom #cheftravel #culinaryinspiration #japan #tokyo #marketfinds

Final bit in Tokyo (Thailand up next!). Ink Bun with Sea Urchin Custard and Sea Urchin. Served warm, this is a literal explosion of urchin, simultaneously sweet, savory and briny, its the ultimate Tsukiji dessert course. #tsukiji #tokyo #urchin #cantwaittogoback

Welcome to Chiang Mai - a culinary destination that's been on my list for twenty years! I can't wait to try some spicy Northern Thai cuisine.

Khao Soi - an aromatic coconut based curry with poached chicken and egg noodles. The afternoon in Chiang Mai is oppressively hot and humid, but the combination of spicy curry and cold beer enjoyed in a shaded pavilion is surprisingly pleasant. #khaosoi #thailand #cheftravel

Northern Thai Pork Curry #culinaryadventure #thaicurry #chiangmai #thaifood #spicy

An array of fresh Thai sausages. These Eastern style pork and rice noodle sausages come in long strands grilled over charcoal and drizzled with sweet chile sauce. #nomnom #streetfood #sausage #foodadventure

How do you feel about eating street food? These fried croquettes and shrimp dumplings look phenomenal- but there are so many flies ! Perhaps after a few more days in the city we will be desensitized, but sadly they are a pass.. for now. #streetfood #dumplings #chiangmai

Burmese style fermented tea leaf salad with shredded cabbage, tomato and peanuts. #tealeaves #burmese #traveltheworld

I'm pretty sure that Chiang Mai has more temples than Seattle has Starbucks; they are literally everywhere you look. From ancient stone monuments crumbling beneath the jungle to gold clad shrines, they are a major part of the Chiang Mai landscape and beautiful to behold.

Thai Iced Tea and Passion Fruit Cake - hands down the best afternoon heat escape! The tartness of the passion fruit is a perfect balance to the sweet and smoky Thai tea. #passionfruit #thaiicedtea #chiangmai

The Queen of Fruit and national fruit of Thailand - The Mangosteen. These fruits are highly perishable and rarely available in the US. They have a flavor that can be described as somewhat like a SweetTart with a peachy-citrus aroma #mangosteen #exoticfruit #chiangmai

I love Thai Sticky rice, but this is next level! Many market and street vendors offer variations of sticky rice packed into bamboo and then either roasted over charcoal or steamed. It's a very convenient snack to grab on the go. Any guesses on what kind of seed is in here?

Pork Rib Curry with aromatic herbs

Here in Thailand, when you order ant eggs, you also get some whole ants and what Julia likes to call "zombie ants". To be honest, the zombie hand discovery even had me a little squeamish. #edibleinsects #anteggs #eatbugs

Have you eaten ants? I finally found this rainy season delicacy in Chiang Mai, an ant egg omelette. It was very similar in flavor to the escamoles I have enjoyed in Oaxaca. Like many insects, its absolutely delicious once you get past the psychosomatics. #edibleinsects #eatbugs

Enjoying early morning walks in Chiang Mai before the temples are crowded.

An obligatory stop at Khao Khao Moo Chang Phueak - also known as The Cowboy Hat Lady - for pork leg with mustard greens, soft boiled egg and rice. I'm always skeptical of "must try" dining stops- but this stand absolutely lived up to it reputation!

Radish Cake with Bean Sprouts from the Cowboy Hat Lady. #chianmai

The Cowboy Hat lady working the crowd in Chiang Mai.

Next level latte art in Chiang Mai. #latteart #owl