Why should you go there and how do you do it right?

This is where Udon Thani actually shops, not in a market built for tourists. Fresh fruit and vegetables, street food, clothing, and the usual household goods – all spread out in an open-air square on Thanon Nittayo. The charm of such a place lies in the fact that you're not bossed around. You stroll around, point to something on the grill, and eat it standing up for a few baht.

The gates are open 24/7 – which sounds more convenient than it actually is. The vendors work in shifts, so the market at 3 a.m. is not the same as at 8 a.m. Early mornings are bustling with activity at the fruit and vegetable stalls, and food is being prepared in earnest. Late evenings are a different story, with different food being prepared. The afternoon is the quietest time, and therefore the least worthwhile time to visit the market.

Come hungry, bring small bills, and plan nothing more than eating and browsing. It's a market, not a tourist attraction.