There is a moment that happens to every cannabis enthusiast. You have just finished a session. Maybe you were sitting on your hotel balcony, enjoying the view of Doi Suthep. Maybe you were chilling in the lounge at our HazeBuds Old City branch. You feel fantastic. The stress of travel has evaporated. The music sounds better. The air feels cooler.
And then, it hits you.
It starts as a rumble in your stomach. Then, your sense of smell becomes superhuman. Suddenly, the thought of food isn’t just an idea; it is an obsession. You don’t just want to eat; you need to experience flavor.
Welcome to The Munchies.
In some cities, the munchies are a problem because your options are limited to a 7-Eleven toastie or stale pizza. But you are in Chiang Mai. You are in the culinary capital of Northern Thailand. Here, the munchies are not a problem; they are an opportunity. They are an adventure.
But with great power comes great responsibility. With thousands of restaurants, street stalls, and cafes, how do you choose? Do you go for the precision of raw fish? The primal satisfaction of grilled meat? or the chaotic joy of street food?
At HazeBuds Cannabis Dispensary, we treat snacking as seriously as we treat our curing process. We believe that the right strain can turn a good meal into a life-changing event.
The Hook
“Download our ‘Weed & Feed’ pairing chart in the magazine.”
If you want the quick cheat sheet, check out our in-store magazine or scan the QR code at the counter. But if you want the deep dive—the philosophy of flavor pairing—read on. We are about to pit two Chiang Mai heavyweights against each other: Mark Sushi vs. Dongdo CNX.
The Science of Hungry: Why Food Tastes Better High
Before we send you off to eat, let’s briefly appreciate the biology of what is happening to you.
When you consume cannabis, specifically THC, it binds to receptors in your brain’s olfactory bulb (smell) and increases the release of dopamine. Essentially, weed hacks your brain to make you think you are starving, and simultaneously turns up the volume on your taste buds.
Sweet tastes sweeter.
Crunchy feels crunchier.
Fatty foods feel more comforting.
This is why pairing is important. If you smoke a citrusy Sativa, you crave fresh, zesty foods. If you smoke a heavy earthy Indica, you crave rich, savory, umami-bomb foods.
Round 1: The Precision Strike (Sushi)
The Contender: Mark Sushi The Vibe: Refined, Fresh, Textural.
Let’s say you are high, but you don’t want to feel heavy. You want to feel sophisticated. You want flavors that explode delicately on your tongue. You head to Mark Sushi.
Chiang Mai has a surprising number of excellent Japanese restaurants, but Mark Sushi stands out for its quality-to-price ratio. When you have the munchies, you become hyper-aware of texture. The feeling of cold, firm fish against warm, vinegared rice is a sensory masterpiece.
The Munchie Experience: Imagine ordering the Salmon Saikyo Don. You take a bite. The salmon has been lightly torched, releasing the fatty oils. The miso glaze provides a sweet-salty kick. Because you are elevated, you can taste the individual grains of rice. You can detect the subtle heat of the wasabi. It isn’t just lunch; it is a meditation on texture.
The Perfect HazeBuds Pairing: To enjoy sushi, you need a strain that enhances sensory perception without making you too groggy to use chopsticks. You want a “Head High.”
The Strain: Jelly Donutz (Sativa – 30% THC) or Miracle Fruit (21% THC).
Why: These fruity, sweet strains have a terpene profile rich in Limonene. Citrus pairs naturally with fish (think of squeezing a lemon on salmon). The high THC percentage of Jelly Donutz will make the colors of the sashimi look more vibrant, and the sweet berry flavor of the smoke cleanses your palate, preparing you for the umami of the soy sauce.
Round 2: The Umami Bomb (Soy-Marinated Bowls)
The Contender: Dongdoo CNX The Vibe: Modern, Cozy, and Aesthetically Pleasing.
On the other end of the spectrum is Dongdoo CNX. This isn’t about the delicate subtlety of plain sashimi; this is about a flavor explosion. Located in a clean, trendy space that feels like a modern cafe, Dongdoo specializes in the Korean art of Ganjang—raw seafood marinated in a rich, savory soy sauce.
The Munchie Experience: Imagine a bowl of steaming hot Japanese rice topped with glistening, soy-marinated salmon and plump, fresh shrimp. In the center sits a golden, cured egg yolk.
When you have the munchies, you crave “Umami”—that deep, savory satisfaction. Dongdoo delivers this in spades. You break the egg yolk, letting it coat the rice and salmon. You wrap a piece of shrimp in crispy seaweed. The combination of the salty-sweet marinade, the creamy yolk, and the fresh seafood triggers every pleasure center in your brain. It is rich, it is buttery, and it is impossible to stop eating.
The Perfect HazeBuds Pairing: For a rich, savory meal like this, you need a strain that stimulates the appetite (the “Rice Thief” effect) and enhances the salty flavors.
The Strain: Banana Melt (Indica – 34% THC) or OG Kush (Indica – 23% THC).
Why: You need a heavy hitter to match these bold flavors. Banana Melt is an appetite stimulant of the highest order. The creamy, sweet profile of the smoke contrasts beautifully with the salty soy marinade, while the heavy Indica effects help you settle into the cozy atmosphere of the restaurant and truly savor every bite.
Round 3: The Street Food Gauntlet (Chiang Mai Gate)
The Contender: The Lady with the Cowgirl Hat (Khao Kha Moo) vs. Pa’s Smoothie Stall. The Vibe: Chaos, Variety, Cheap Thrills.
If you are visiting our HazeBuds Chiang Mai Gate branch, you are standing on the edge of glorious chaos. The South Gate market at night is legendary.
This is not for the indecisive. This is for the “Grazer.” You want a little bit of everything. You want a skewer of grilled pork here, a bag of sticky rice there, and a fruit shake to wash it down.
The Munchie Experience: Street food requires navigation. You are dodging motorbikes and weaving through crowds. But the rewards are high.
The Savory: Khao Kha Moo (Stewed Pork Leg). The meat is so tender it falls apart. The chili vinegar sauce cuts through the fat.
The Sweet: Mango Sticky Rice. The coconut milk is salty-sweet, the mango is tart, and the crispy mung beans on top add that essential crunch.
The Texture: Roti. Watching the vendor slap the dough, fry it in butter, and douse it in condensed milk is hypnotic when you are high.
The Perfect HazeBuds Pairing: Street food requires energy. You need to walk, talk, and order in broken Thai. You do not want to be glued to a couch.
The Strain: Purple Thai (Sativa – 23% THC) or Orange Cream Pop (Hybrid – 23% THC).
Why: Purple Thai is a landrace Sativa. It gives you a clear-headed, energetic “electric” high. It makes colors brighter and sounds sharper, turning the market into a sensory wonderland. Orange Cream Pop is also a great choice because its citrus profile matches perfectly with the fresh fruit shakes sold at the market.
Round 4: The Late Night Savior (Steak)
The Contender: Ohkajhu (Organic) vs. Local Steak Stalls. The Vibe: Protein Loading.
Sometimes, the munchies hit late. You’ve been out at the jazz bars, or you’ve been gaming. You need protein.
Chiang Mai has a unique “Steak Salad” culture. Places like Ohkajhu serve organic salads the size of a football field alongside pork ribs. It’s the illusion of health mixed with the reality of gluttony.
The Munchie Experience: Chewing meat is satisfying. It taps into a primal instinct. But when you pair a juicy steak with a fresh, crisp, organic salad from Northern Thailand farms, you get the best of both worlds. The crunch of fresh lettuce when you have “cottonmouth” is incredibly hydrating and refreshing.
The Perfect HazeBuds Pairing:
The Strain: Bangkok OG (Hybrid – 30% THC).
Why: This powerful hybrid has a spicy, herbal, and peppery flavor profile. It acts almost like a seasoning for the steak. The high THC content ensures you enjoy every single bite, while the hybrid nature keeps you awake enough to finish the giant portion.
Pro-Tips for Eating While High in Chiang Mai
1. Hydrate Before You Chew Weed causes dry mouth (Xerostomia). Eating sticky rice with a dry mouth is a choking hazard. Always buy a bottle of water or a watermelon shake before you start eating.
2. The Spice Warning THC can make you more sensitive to heat. If you usually order “Thai Spicy,” maybe dial it back to “Farang Spicy” (Tourist Spicy) if you are smoking Death of Boof (24% THC). The combination of intense high and intense chili can induce sweating and hiccups!
3. Cash is King While Mark Sushi and Dongdoo take cards, the street food vendors at Chiang Mai Gate do not. Ensure you have plenty of 20 and 100 Baht notes. Fumbling with a banking app when you are stoned is stressful.
4. The Order of Operations Smoke before you eat, not after. Smoking after a huge meal often makes you sleepy (the “Itis”). Smoking before (the aperitif) maximizes the flavor experience.
Mapping Your Munchies to HazeBuds Locations
We have strategically placed our shops to ensure you are never far from food.
Near HazeBuds Old City (Walking Street):
Best for: Sunday Walking Street food, Cafe hopping, and Mark Sushi (short ride).
Strain Pick: Pineapple Express (Energy for walking).
Near HazeBuds Chiang Mai Gate:
Best for: The nightly street food market. This is the “Grazing” capital.
Strain Pick: Purple Thai (Social and happy).
Near HazeBuds Sridonchai:
Best for: Dongdoo CNX, Night Bazaar seafood, and late-night burgers.
Strain Pick: Banana Melt (Appetite stimulation).
Conclusion: The Final Bite
Chiang Mai is a city that loves to eat. And at HazeBuds, we are a community that loves to smoke. When you combine these two passions, you unlock the true potential of your vacation.
Don’t just eat to survive. Eat to explore. Next time you are planning a dinner, stop by HazeBuds first. Tell our budtenders what you are planning to eat. Are you getting sushi? Are you getting marinated shrimp? Are you hunting for the best Khao Soi?
We will curate the perfect strain to elevate that meal from “tasty” to “unforgettable.”
So, what is your style? Sushi, Soy-Marinated, or Street Food? Grab your “Weed & Feed” chart, pick up a gram of Jelly Donutz, and go find out.
Bon Appétit and Stay Elevated.



