Let me take you on a tour of Siamaya. Siamaya is one of the main, if not the main reason we decided to book a trip to Thailand. I’ve been a big fan of Siamaya since I first tasted founder and chocolate maker Neil’s chocolate at the Salon du Chocolat in Paris a few years back. At the time, he was having trouble selling any of his chocolates with added chilis, a much loved Thai flavor pairing but not so well loved by the Parisians visiting his stand. But apart from that, he sold out in no time, and for good reason.
I recommend visiting their store in Thapae as well since it is a little closer to the regular tourist haunts. But make sure the factory and flagship store is on your schedule. I’d especially recommend visiting late afternoon so that you can go from there straight to the Thipanet Road night market which passes just a block away from the factory. The factory is located in a building that used to be an ice factory. The space has been renovated and hosts a number of business including a coffee shop and a coworking space. Enter through the front doors and walk through this space into a small courtyard. A red door just off the courtyard welcomes you into the chocolate factory.
Siamaya doesn’t just make very good chocolate using cacao beans they source from around Chiang Mai and Thailand more broadly. The magic of Siamaya is how they expertly pair these chocolates with Thai and international flavours creating chocolate versions of well loved dishes. If this sounds gimmicky, well it does sound gimmicky and many around the world have tried to do the same, and failed. But Siamaya masters this. In my opinion, no one makes a better durian chocolate bar, and what better way to experience the flavors of northern Thai cuisine than to have them not only in their original form, but follow that up with them in bar form (think Massaman peanut curry dark chocolate, Tom Kha Coconut Curry dark chocolate and Khao Soi milk chocolate. Maybe follow that up with a piece of mango jelly popping candy chocolate. What I love about Siamaya is that it isn’t just the flavors that are showcased, but you can still taste the chocolate too, and it’s good chocolate.
If you visit any of their shops, all of their bars are available for tasting and tasting is highlight encouraged. If you can’t make it to Chiang Mai, Siamaya is sold around the world (visit their website for a full list of locations) and is a regular at international chocolate festivals.
Siamaya: 12/8 Wua Lai Rd Soi 3, Tambon Hai Ya, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50100 www.siamayachocolate.com
