Some places obviously do not have pretensions to be what they are not: they won’t print fancy menus on water-marked sheets, and they won’t use the best chinaware available to serve their overdone dishes; they just will serve you good food in a familiar way. That is the kind of places where you will find yourself crossing the kitchen on the way to the family’s toilet in the backyard and moving the little baby toys out of your way when returning. Ji Ji is one of those places: cosy, familiar, unpretending, and pleasant.

It is clear to the customers – or should I say, guests – that despite being a very basic restaurant, the food has been cooked from fresh ingredients with love and care. It offers a good and cheap deal, with huge servings and a friendly attitude. The basic meals are served with interesting buns of steamed dough, reminding, despite the distance, of the Laotian Kalapao. Breakfasts are served as well.

In my various visits to the town, the place consistently served better food than many of the fancy places around. Ji Ji has a very central location in Mae Hong Son, along the main axial road, just north from the post office and the small triangular plaza.