Cheese In Chiang Mai

[Plastic Brontosaurus]

There's a few posts on the forums over the years about where to get cheese in Chiang Mai, but most of those are somewhat dated, so figured perhaps there's some new info out there that can be shared...

Whilst Tops has a very decent selection of Western cheeses including some pretty obscure ones, prices are the same or higher than Sydney for most of them.

Then there's Dacheeso where I went a few days ago and bought one of each of their products, but their range is limited to a few specific styles of cheese (as one would expect, anyway; they can't do everything).

There's been some discussion in the past about a Thai Danish outlet somewhere near the Zoo but that was mentioned as having disappeared at one point - are there any updates on this?

Essentially what I'm looking for is a good quality Danish style feta (creamy, mild and salty, but of relatively firm consistency, not crumbly and/or sour). Plus good cheddar and perhaps Gouda style cheese. Dacheeso does a feta but it's not the taste I'm after. At Tops a small container of cubed Apetina Danish feta is 200 baht which is kind of prohibitive.

So my question is: apart from Tops and Dacheeso, does anyone know of outlets where good (feta/gouda/cheddar) cheese can be had for a reasonable price in CM?

Many thanks

[DaamNaam]

Decent cheddar and gouda available at Makro. But you need to buy the block, 1-4 Kgs. That's the catch.

Otherwise Rimping have a good selection, though on the pricey side.

You are not in Kansas (Sydney) anymore Toto.

[Ulysses G.]

"Whilst Tops has a very decent selection of Western cheeses including some pretty obscure ones, prices are the same or higher than Sydney for most of them."

Why would imported cheeses be any cheaper than Sydney?

[terminatorchiangmai]

Gouda Cheese and Cheddar at Macro , are also sold in pieces of 200 / 300 gram.

The Gouda Cheese is original from Holland and better and cheaper than the one from the Thai Danish company.

[junglechef]

There are some good local artisan cheese makers who produce small batches of things like Brie that can sometimes be found at Rimping etc. but often are sold out before making to the normal retail venues. Buonissimo sells some good Italian cheeses, their Thai made ricotta is very nice. Macro and Yok have more options too.

[kalbo123]

Where is Buonissimo?

Thought they are closed already for 2 years, and opened the Why not restaurant in Nimanheaman....

[noise]

Gouda Cheese and Cheddar at Macro , are also sold in pieces of 200 / 300 gram.

The Gouda Cheese is original from Holland and better and cheaper than the one from the Thai Danish company.

I have been very happy with buying a large block of cheddar, cutting it up, and then freezing it. I have not tried it with the gouda, but I would assume it would work with that, also.

I bought some of Decheeso's parmigian and froze that hoping it would dry out enough to grate for use on spaghetti, but didn't work. Despite what I read on the web, freezing up to a couple of months (all I have done so far) did not seem to change the consistency or the taste in any way.

[junglechef]

Where is Buonissimo?

Thought they are closed already for 2 years, and opened the Why not restaurant in Nimanheaman....

Not sure about the Why Not connection but I was there last week. It's more like a wholesale outlet but sell to the general public too. Just googled it and see the restaurant/shop on Prao Road. Sorry I might have mixed up the names. This one is a left off Chang Klang maybe 1 or 2 km after Night Bazzar near the Park Hotel (the first left before the hotel which is on the right). Hopefully someone here can help clear up the details.

[junglechef]

Gouda Cheese and Cheddar at Macro , are also sold in pieces of 200 / 300 gram.

The Gouda Cheese is original from Holland and better and cheaper than the one from the Thai Danish company.

I have been very happy with buying a large block of cheddar, cutting it up, and then freezing it. I have not tried it with the gouda, but I would assume it would work with that, also.

I bought some of Decheeso's parmigian and froze that hoping it would dry out enough to grate for use on spaghetti, but didn't work. Despite what I read on the web, freezing up to a couple of months (all I have done so far) did not seem to change the consistency or the taste in any way.

Cheese freezes well due to the hight fat content and for grating a dry cheese works better due to the aging process which I doubt is long with the Dechesso parmesan. I find most of their cheese not to my liking, the feta just salty and blue just rank, but I do like their light yogurt very much.

[TheVicar]

Decent cheddar and gouda available at Makro. But you need to buy the block, 1-4 Kgs. That's the catch.

Otherwise Rimping have a good selection, though on the pricey side.

You are not in Kansas (Sydney) anymore Toto.

1) This is wrong. As Terminatorchiangmai correctly notes, you can buy lots of very good cheeses at Makro and it is not necessary to buy it in such large amounts. At least the Makro out by the airport where I shop frequently. It's my go-to store. They have a friendly worker on hand, by the way, who will cut off your order to your request from a larger block of cheese if necessary. So if you want only 200 g., ask for it. They also have an excellent refrigerated case full of cheeses of small sizes; I especially like their Danish blue which is reasonably priced. They also have a good ricotta cheese (from Australia, I think) which comes in a small tub. Excellent cheese selection at perhaps the best prices in town. Rimping is also good but far pricier; they have an especially good selection of soft cheeses (like Brie).

2) Yok, a large supermarket that caters to restaurants and to bakers (opposite Big C Extra) also has very good prices on cheeses (and on butter which you can buy in large sizes). I recall seeing a nice Danish Feta cheese there. Smaller selection than Makro, though, but terrific for baking supplies of all kinds. This is a fascinating store that has surprisingly few farang customers. It is large, clean, and very well stocked with items that other places do not have.

3) I find Decheeso's products to be disappointing and to be avoided. They are almost the same price as imported products that are much tastier and much better. Yolanda, a Thai yoghurt , makes a far better plain yoghurt than their product and it is available at Tops, Rimping and Makro (B 51 for a large size here).

Edited January 20, 2013 by TheVicar

[PostmanPat]

As someone who would take only cheese (and wine!) if I was to be stranded on a desert island for the rest of my life, I take a close personal interest in where to get cheese....and where not to get cheese in Chiang Mai. So, a few ideas and tips, hope these are helpful

1. Dont buy cheese at Tops or Dacheeso (or whatever its called). Tops is expensive and unoriginal, Dacheeso is just terrible lumps of vaguely cheesy tasting stuff which I ve tried and wouldnt touch again!!

2. Best value for money right now is Makro, Hang Dong Road. Go to the deli area, left side as you enter, just near the wine counter and there are quite a few good flavoured cheeses mostly at very reasonable prices, eg, Cheddars, Gorgonzola, Emmenthal, Gouda, Brie, etc.....check the price per 100 gram, most are reasonable but a few are still too expensive for me such as Danish Blue and Blue Stilton. Most cheeses in that area are around 100 Baht per 100 grams, give or take, and they are imported cheeses with good condition and good flavour.

3. For good and more unusual French cheeses, go to Big C Extra (the former Carrefour) on the super highway. They have a tie up with a French supermarket called Casino, and have quite a few genuine and unusual French cheeses most at reasonable prices, but a bit more expensive than Makro.

4. If you want a Camembert type cheese from Rimping, look for a locally made one in a circular box called Hapico. Its made right here in Chiang Mai, and from my experience, its a very good alternative to and half the price of the other Camembert type cheeses in Rimping. You ve got to be a bit rich or desperate to pay the four to five hundred baht you often see on the imported French cheeses in Rimping!!

I dont know why I ve posted this. I probably wont be able to get my favourite cheeses now!!! Anyway, good luck, fellow cheesophiles!!!

[kaptainrob]

Agree with JC and TV, Makro's cheese selection is excellent. NZ Anchor cheddar freezes well, a 2kg block is 790 Bt, and they will cut for you.

We brought a 1kg (180bt) block of NZ cheddar back from Australia in Nov, on our last 200g piece now so I'd be happy to share a 2kg block 50/50 with someone to save freezer space.

Off down to Makro soon actually ... my Thai wife wants Camembert on fresh french stick, with salad for lunch!

[junglechef]

Postman where is Casino? I agree w/your comments esp. about Hapico camembert, it is really good stuff

[TheVicar]

As someone who would take only cheese (and wine!) if I was to be stranded on a desert island for the rest of my life, I take a close personal interest in where to get cheese....and where not to get cheese in Chiang Mai. So, a few ideas and tips, hope these are helpful

1. Dont buy cheese at Tops or Dacheeso (or whatever its called). Tops is expensive and unoriginal, Dacheeso is just terrible lumps of vaguely cheesy tasting stuff which I ve tried and wouldnt touch again!!

2. Best value for money right now is Makro, Hang Dong Road. Go to the deli area, left side as you enter, just near the wine counter and there are quite a few good flavoured cheeses mostly at very reasonable prices, eg, Cheddars, Gorgonzola, Emmenthal, Gouda, Brie, etc.....check the price per 100 gram, most are reasonable but a few are still too expensive for me such as Danish Blue and Blue Stilton. Most cheeses in that area are around 100 Baht per 100 grams, give or take, and they are imported cheeses with good condition and good flavour.

3. For good and more unusual French cheeses, go to Big C Extra (the former Carrefour) on the super highway. They have a tie up with a French supermarket called Casino, and have quite a few genuine and unusual French cheeses most at reasonable prices, but a bit more expensive than Makro.

4. If you want a Camembert type cheese from Rimping, look for a locally made one in a circular box called Hapico. Its made right here in Chiang Mai, and from my experience, its a very good alternative to and half the price of the other Camembert type cheeses in Rimping. You ve got to be a bit rich or desperate to pay the four to five hundred baht you often see on the imported French cheeses in Rimping!!

I dont know why I ve posted this. I probably wont be able to get my favourite cheeses now!!! Anyway, good luck, fellow cheesophiles!!!

1. Great post. I completely agree on Decheeso being unappealing (and expensive for what you get, which is a 3rd rate product).

2. Check out Makro again for their Danish blue. It's pretty inexpensive (they have cut it off from a large block and a fairly large portion is only about B 150). It's my favorite and especially good in salad dressings.

3. Rimping's soft cheeses are very, very good (and quite fresh because of heavy turnover). Agree that they are expensive, though, because they're imported from France.

4. Yok has wholesale sizes of butter at very cheap prices. Great store! Try it.

Edited January 20, 2013 by TheVicar

[masuk]

"Whilst Tops has a very decent selection of Western cheeses including some pretty obscure ones, prices are the same or higher than Sydney for most of them."

Why would imported cheeses be any cheaper than Sydney?

"Whilst Tops has a very decent selection of Western cheeses including some pretty obscure ones, prices are the same or higher than Sydney for most of them."

Why would imported cheeses be any cheaper than Sydney?

You're not kidding! Cheese seems to be two to three times as expensive. I can buy 4x 125g packets of Camembert in our local co-op in Oz for around 300baht.

But this is not Sydney/Kansas and besides, most food here is cheap.

I bought a 1kg block of Cheddar at ALDI's on the Gold Coast for $6.00 (180bht) and repacked this into zip lock bags. It keeps quite well in the meat storage area in the fridge.

[Ulysses G.]

But this is not Sydney/Kansas and besides, most food here is cheap.

Most imported foods are at least the same price as back home.

[rene123]

Thanks for the replies here. Good cheese is one thing I miss the most while staying in Thailand. I love my Canadian chedder and it is 3 times the price here in Thailand. And, that is only when I can find it. But, at age 38, maybe cheese is not the best thing for me... even though I miss it. I somehow survive on that plastic stuff that comes in individual wrappers, but only when I'm starving and need a snack, and don't want to go to the nearest 7-11.

[DaamNaam]

Decent cheddar and gouda available at Makro. But you need to buy the block, 1-4 Kgs. That's the catch.

Otherwise Rimping have a good selection, though on the pricey side.

You are not in Kansas (Sydney) anymore Toto.

1) This is wrong. As Terminatorchiangmai correctly notes, you can buy lots of very good cheeses at Makro and it is not necessary to buy it in such large amounts. At least the Makro out by the airport where I shop frequently. It's my go-to store. They have a friendly worker on hand, by the way, who will cut off your order to your request from a larger block of cheese if necessary. So if you want only 200 g., ask for it. They also have an excellent refrigerated case full of cheeses of small sizes; I especially like their Danish blue which is reasonably priced. They also have a good ricotta cheese (from Australia, I think) which comes in a small tub. Excellent cheese selection at perhaps the best prices in town. Rimping is also good but far pricier; they have an especially good selection of soft cheeses (like Brie).

2) Yok, a large supermarket that caters to restaurants and to bakers (opposite Big C Extra) also has very good prices on cheeses (and on butter which you can buy in large sizes). I recall seeing a nice Danish Feta cheese there. Smaller selection than Makro, though, but terrific for baking supplies of all kinds. This is a fascinating store that has surprisingly few farang customers. It is large, clean, and very well stocked with items that other places do not have.

3) I find Decheeso's products to be disappointing and to be avoided. They are almost the same price as imported products that are much tastier and much better. Yolanda, a Thai yoghurt , makes a far better plain yoghurt than their product and it is available at Tops, Rimping and Makro (B 51 for a large size here).

Ok fair enough. I just assumed it was only in block form, as thats what I buy anyway.

Cheese keeps well when wrapped in foil.

[Plastic Brontosaurus]

Thank you all for great replies - very helpful and useful. Will check out all mentioned stores in the next few days, and no doubt end up with at least half the fridge full of cheese

[Throatwobbler]

Postman where is Casino? I agree w/your comments esp. about Hapico camembert, it is really good stuff

Casino is a range of products sold at Big C extra. They have some good stuff there.

[masuk]

But this is not Sydney/Kansas and besides, most food here is cheap.

Most imported foods are at least the same price as back home.

Can't agree with you here. I'll make up a list of basic items and do a TOPS/WOOLIES/ALDIS comparison next time I'm in Oz.

As I said earlier, Camembert is heaps cheaper in Oz. Can you buy a 1 kilo block of Cheddar in Chiang Mai for 180baht?

Bottled,canned, packet Thai food in Oz seems to be the same price as here, as heavy import duties are not imposed.

There's some sort of free trade agreement, but it seems to be a bit one-way.

[Plastic Brontosaurus]

The thing with grocery prices in Oz is that the situation there is a duopoly (with Aldi a distant third player), same as in NZ. Grocery prices in both Oz and NZ are among the highest in the world, as are the supermarket margins due to lack of true competition (some claim it is because of cost of shipping, but that's bs, as shipping does not usually affect overall cost of items much due to number of such items per container etc.).

For this reason I would expect certain products to be cheaper here, as long as they are bought of the manufacturers in Oz/NZ direct (or from wholesalers that are not affiliated with the big supermarket players) - that way, the high margins of the supermarkets there can be avoided.

However on the other hand these are perishables and given the distance, tropical climate, etc. one would also expect local players here to add a fairly high margin to cover for losses etc.

Either way I don't think it's necessary that products here cost at least the same as in Oz - they can definitely be cheaper but it would depend on the product and the source. Cheese has gotten very expensive in recent years anyway, at least tripled in price in the past three to four years in Oz and NZ I'd say for most types (only exception is the no-name 1 kilo blocks at the big supermarkets in my experience). Probably also because of a few players dividing up the market between them and cranking up the margins...

[masuk]

The thing with grocery prices in Oz is that the situation there is a duopoly (with Aldi a distant third player), same as in NZ. Grocery prices in both Oz and NZ are among the highest in the world, as are the supermarket margins due to lack of true competition (some claim it is because of cost of shipping, but that's bs, as shipping does not usually affect overall cost of items much due to number of such items per container etc.).

For this reason I would expect certain products to be cheaper here, as long as they are bought of the manufacturers in Oz/NZ direct (or from wholesalers that are not affiliated with the big supermarket players) - that way, the high margins of the supermarkets there can be avoided.

However on the other hand these are perishables and given the distance, tropical climate, etc. one would also expect local players here to add a fairly high margin to cover for losses etc.

Either way I don't think it's necessary that products here cost at least the same as in Oz - they can definitely be cheaper but it would depend on the product and the source. Cheese has gotten very expensive in recent years anyway, at least tripled in price in the past three to four years in Oz and NZ I'd say for most types (only exception is the no-name 1 kilo blocks at the big supermarkets in my experience). Probably also because of a few players dividing up the market between them and cranking up the margins...

I have no (financial) interest in ALDIs apart from being a regular shopper there for the years before moving to CM.

They are very much in front of the Big Two. I stock up with frozen NZ lamb and cheese and have it back in CM overnight.

check their prices compared to the other two.

http://www.bigpondmoney.com.au/the-cheapest-shopping-basket

[masuk]

The thing with grocery prices in Oz is that the situation there is a duopoly (with Aldi a distant third player), same as in NZ. Grocery prices in both Oz and NZ are among the highest in the world, as are the supermarket margins due to lack of true competition (some claim it is because of cost of shipping, but that's bs, as shipping does not usually affect overall cost of items much due to number of such items per container etc.).

For this reason I would expect certain products to be cheaper here, as long as they are bought of the manufacturers in Oz/NZ direct (or from wholesalers that are not affiliated with the big supermarket players) - that way, the high margins of the supermarkets there can be avoided.

However on the other hand these are perishables and given the distance, tropical climate, etc. one would also expect local players here to add a fairly high margin to cover for losses etc.

Either way I don't think it's necessary that products here cost at least the same as in Oz - they can definitely be cheaper but it would depend on the product and the source. Cheese has gotten very expensive in recent years anyway, at least tripled in price in the past three to four years in Oz and NZ I'd say for most types (only exception is the no-name 1 kilo blocks at the big supermarkets in my experience). Probably also because of a few players dividing up the market between them and cranking up the margins...

I have no (financial) interest in ALDIs apart from being a regular shopper there for the years before moving to CM.

They are very much in front of the Big Two. I stock up with frozen NZ lamb and cheese and have it back in CM overnight.

check their prices compared to the other two.

http://www.bigpondmo...shopping-basket

http://www.bigpondmoney.com.au/the-cheapest-shopping-basket

[Ulysses G.]

Most imported foods are at least the same price as back home.

Can't agree with you here.

Maybe I wasn't clear. Imported foods would usually be at least the same price as OZ, but often more. It has been that way ever since I first came here. I don't like it, but that is how it is.

Edited January 20, 2013 by Ulysses G.

[Plastic Brontosaurus]

The thing with grocery prices in Oz is that the situation there is a duopoly (with Aldi a distant third player), same as in NZ. Grocery prices in both Oz and NZ are among the highest in the world, as are the supermarket margins due to lack of true competition (some claim it is because of cost of shipping, but that's bs, as shipping does not usually affect overall cost of items much due to number of such items per container etc.).

For this reason I would expect certain products to be cheaper here, as long as they are bought of the manufacturers in Oz/NZ direct (or from wholesalers that are not affiliated with the big supermarket players) - that way, the high margins of the supermarkets there can be avoided.

However on the other hand these are perishables and given the distance, tropical climate, etc. one would also expect local players here to add a fairly high margin to cover for losses etc.

Either way I don't think it's necessary that products here cost at least the same as in Oz - they can definitely be cheaper but it would depend on the product and the source. Cheese has gotten very expensive in recent years anyway, at least tripled in price in the past three to four years in Oz and NZ I'd say for most types (only exception is the no-name 1 kilo blocks at the big supermarkets in my experience). Probably also because of a few players dividing up the market between them and cranking up the margins...

I have no (financial) interest in ALDIs apart from being a regular shopper there for the years before moving to CM.

They are very much in front of the Big Two. I stock up with frozen NZ lamb and cheese and have it back in CM overnight.

check their prices compared to the other two.

http://www.bigpondmo...shopping-basket

Thanks - yes I know from personal experience too that Aldi has the better prices, albeit a more limited selection and very few brands. But an issue remains that there's not many Aldis compared to the other two in Australia, and none in NZ. In areas where there's an Aldi close to Coles or Woolworths the latter two drop their prices, but only for the supermarkets close to the Aldi.

My point is that because there's not as many Aldis as Coles/Woolworths, they are not a thorough enough competitor to break the high pricing cycle. In countries where there's more competition (such as continental Europe and Brazil where I lived before) supermarkets tend to be cheaper, and groceries a smaller part of the household cost (compared with rent, car, etc.). However in Oz/NZ the grocery costs are a bigger percentage of cost of living due to the lack of competition in the supermarket space, at least that's my view and also that of consumer organisations if I recall publications in the past few years. Lets hope Aldi keeps expanding, and perhaps if a fourth player showed up that would improve competition but entry costs are high and population low so may be a long wait...

Anyway I'm getting way off topic here..

[binjalin]

Northern Farms? Huey Kaew road?

[TheVicar]

Most imported foods are at least the same price as back home.

Can't agree with you here.

Maybe I wasn't clear. Imported foods would usually be at least the same price as OZ, but often more. It has been that way ever since I first came here. I don't like it, but that is how it is.

I've only been to Oz once but they are making some very good dairy products and cheeses these days. Ditto for Wisconsin in the USA.

I know that Oz has a sizable group of people of Italian descent so maybe that explains it? Such products are expensive here because of transport and taxes and because the Thais as a whole do not have this food group as part of their native cuisine. When I first came to Thailand over 20 years ago, I recall there was really no fresh milk in the stores, let alone cheese. Most Thais do not like the taste of cheese especially sharp, tangy ones (they think the mold and blueness of it, for instance, means it is unhealthy).

[kaptainrob]

There are price wars on certain products in the Aus duopoly; bread, milk and cheese among the items targeted so its not really fair to compare 1kg @ 180 Bt from Aus/NZ 'specials'. Afterall, dairy products have to be transported in chilled containers to reach us here.

NZ cheddar at Makro is only double the Aus/NZ 'specials' price.

Other imports are usually similarly priced at times, cheaper; eg: Talleys frozen peas and Sanitarium Weetbix.

[Plastic Brontosaurus]

Quick update: did a round of cheese shopping. Found the following:

Makro:

A decent albeit not very large selection of cheeses, at good prices (lower than anywhere else on average, as was already promised by contributors to this thread). They have a good range of hard cheeses and a few soft ones, including a very nice 60% French brie.

No real feta, although they have a 500 grams block of cheese in a combibloc/tetrabric style pack which they sell as feta. However the name feta does not feature on the pack and the packaging type means this will need to be eaten upon opening, or transferred to another container and then eaten quickly. So did not buy. Will go back there for non-feta cheeses.

A side note about Makro: in many countries you need to have a business to buy at Makro but here you don't. Just apply for a Makro card at Customer Service (at the entrance). You need to show your passport or Thai drivers license. The form is in Thai but just fill it in and the staff will fix any errors. They give you a temporary card and you can pick up the actual card two days later.

Rimping:

Good selection, better than Tops or anywhere else I have been so far for that matter (Tops is kinda halfway between Makro and Rimping in terms of number of different cheeses). However pricing significantly higher as was already mentioned by some on this thread: real French brie for example probably double Makro's price.

Found a Thai feta which I like in salads (which is what I use feta for, several times a week). Brand is Caroline and it comes in a 200 grams flat square white plastic container, with a aluminium foil top and label on the top. For a Thai product I find it expensive at 155 baht (import Danish Apetina feta costs 199 baht for 200 grams at Tops; would have expected the Thai one to be about half, not three quarters of that price). However it is good its there, and from now on will buy this rather than the Apetina.

There's also the Australian Lemnos brand (available at Tops and at Rimping) however that's got a really flat and industrial taste, and is in my experience one of the worst feta's in Oz taste-wise so I hope one day they bring in some other brand from there or from NZ (although the Thai Caroline brand will do fine for now).

Could not find the Hapico, perhaps they were out as I looked all around the store.

Did not find any other feta's other than the various Apetina styles (marinated with herbs, etc.) which are very expensive. So clearly there's not a lot of feta consumption going on here it appears...

Did not find Yok (initial armchair search - tried to find them using Google Streetview) but will try again. Any tips on exact location or how to identify the building would be great (I know it's supposed to be opposite Big C Extra but could not find it on Streetview; I tend to look it up first as its a nuisance to go somewhere and then having to drive around the area, crossing the superhighway a few times etc. so prefer to know up front the precise location).

Once again thank you to all contributors for the info - fridge is really full now

Edited January 23, 2013 by Plastic Brontosaurus