The Chiang Mai artists collective Yonyang has dropped a street food cart into the HOF Art Gallery, now HOF Eat & Art, and decorated the white walls with musical instruments, props used in their performances and mad scribbling. If that sounds more akin to performance art, the reality is actually a really solid Japanese eatery: the half-Japanese chef has a Thai restaurant in Osaka and a Japanese restaurant on Nimmanhemin (in Chiang Mai). Not only is Krua Khun Kan’s food good, but as the four artists-slash-partners running the place do the service and cooking themselves, there’s the kind of warm atmosphere you’d get at smaller restaurants in Japan. Most of the seating is at the low bar counter running around the food cart centerpiece, with a couple more tables inside and out front of the shop. You’ll rub shoulders with curators and tourists, alongside snap-happy, camera-toting locals on the weekends. Prices being very reasonable, don’t expect high-end sushi bar produce. The beef steak (B350) is pretty tough, the fish in the glass showcase doesn’t always look the best, and the tuna cuts are pedestrian. The execution and portions more than make up for this in most dishes, though. We particular love the salads—fresh, crispy and very well-seasoned. The “aesthetic” salad (B120) combines a big handful of dried fish flakes, crispy seaweed, bell pepper, cos salad and a tangy soy-based dressing with mayo. The tofu version (B150) is even better, with the added texture of the cool, white chunks. Another favorite of ours here is the beef udon (B150), which is packed with tender, fatty chunks of stewed meat not unlike the nuea toon in Thai beef noodles. And even if this is no Honmono, the negitoro (B280), a big bowl of chopped tuna and rice, is an excellent deal. We’d also recommend the boiled squid (B150, served with rice), which is perfectly complemented by a particularly potent wasabi. It’s unfortunate the last order is at 8:30pm, and that alcohol is not allowed at the BACC (although getting to know the owners has its rewards). But a Saturday or Sunday lunch here, followed by ice-cream at Icedea (3/F) and coffee at Gallery Drip Coffee (1/F)—oh and an exhibition—makes for a pretty perfect afternoon. No alcohol.
