It’s about time we started showcasing some of our favorite delicious Thai food with you all! After all, one of the reasons we chose to move to Thailand was because we absolutely love Thai cuisine. So for all you food lovers, feast your eyes on our first Thai food contender, Khao Soi.
Ok, So What is Khao Soi?
Khao Soi is a deliciously creamy and slightly spicy yellow curry dish unique to Northern Thailand. It will satisfy your craving for a Thai curry dish while still being delightfully out of the ordinary. We stumbled upon it within our first week of moving to Chiang Mai.
What makes KhaoSoi shine is its savory curry broth. Made with a blend of yellow and red curry spices, coconut milk, chicken broth, soy sauce, and sugar, the ingredients are slowly simmered to develop flavor. Chicken drumsticks and thighs are typically slow cooked in the broth and served as part of the meal.
KhaoSoi begins with a bowl of fresh long cut egg noodles, which is a great alternative to the traditional rice or rice noodle based dishes served in Thailand. Then a hearty piece of the slow cooked chicken is added to the bowl along with a large spoonful of curry broth. The bowl is topped with a tangle of crispy noodles and freshly diced cilantro and is typically accompanied by a small dish of freshly diced red onion, pickled greens, and smoky chili paste on the side. Though not necessarily traditional, some restaurants and food stalls will even put their own spin on Khao Soi by adding ingredients such as carrots or pumpkin!
Delicious! So What is the Proper Way to Eat Khao Soi?
Khao Soi is traditionally eaten with chopsticks and a Chinese soup spoon. Not to worry, though. The slow cooked chicken should come right off the bone with the chopsticks and the Chinese spoon helps to scoop up every last drop of the broth. This dish is a must-have if you are visiting Chiang Mai!
How much Does Khao Soi Cost in Chiang Mai?
Khao Soi is definitely a budget priced meal coming in between 35 and 80 Baht. That’s only $1.15 to $2.50 USD a bowl.
Where is the Best Place to Eat Khao Soi in Chiang Mai?
We haven’t completely settled on one single place yet, but we have a couple of contenders. Aroon Rai and Kafe are both on the eastern side of the Old City and offer the more traditional style Khao Soi. The Birds Nest and Blue Diamond offer Khao Soi with their own signature spin and are filled with vegetables. Blue Diamond actually serves up the biggest bowl we have seen to date!Lampang Lern Rot is a hidden little place that you will find frequented by many locals. Go there if you want an authentic Thai experience. Please let us know if you have any of your own recommendations for Khao Soi in Chiang Mai, Thailand. We would love to check them out and add them our map.Enjoy!
View Khao Soi Hot Spots in a larger map
