Mae Sot is a hotbed for non-Thai cuisine, which is as good a reason as any to make the journey through. Just a stone’s throw away from Myanmar, this is an outstanding place to sample traditional Burmese dishes, like tea leaf salads and curries. A fish and rice noodle soup called mohinga is Myanmar’s best-known dish, and a great place to grab a bowl is at the municipal market (Prasatwithi Road; approximately 6am to sunset). Most locals and guesthouses refer to it as the day market to distinguish it from the nearby night market, which is a nice place for Thai-Chinese dishes (lots of noodles) from 6pm until late. Muslim restaurants are gathered in a cluster just south of the main mosque, which is Nurul Islam. Top-rated dishes at the Muslim restaurants are flaky roti, rich curries, and turmeric chicken. Wash it all down with the traditional tea, which tends to be very sweet.

All the options on this site are not only incredibly affordable but offer a deep-dive into the culinary and culturally complex part of Thailand. Here are a few great places to go for a more traditional dining experience.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.