Khao Soi
ข้าวซอย
Khao Soi is northern Thailand's signature dish — egg noodles in a rich, curried coconut milk broth, topped with crispy fried noodles, pickled mustard greens, and shallots. It's a Burmese-influenced dish unique to Chiang Mai and the north.
Cultural Origin
Khao soi is a coconut-curry noodle soup from Northern Thailand, particularly Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, with strong Burmese-Shan and Yunnanese-Muslim influences carried along historic caravan trade routes. The dish combines a turmeric-tinted coconut curry broth with both boiled and crispy egg noodles, typically over chicken or beef, served with pickled mustard greens, shallots and lime. It is the signature dish of Lanna cuisine and remains rare outside the north in its authentic form.
Regional Variants
| Region | How it differs |
|---|---|
| Northern | The Chiang Mai version is the classic: coconut curry broth, turmeric, chicken or beef, topped with crispy egg noodles, shallot, pickled greens and lime. |
| Southern | Khao soi in the south (rarely seen) tends to be more curry-like and less sweet, sometimes made without crispy noodles. |
Allergens & Sensitivities
Key Ingredients
- egg noodles
- coconut milk
- red curry paste
- chicken drumstick
- crispy noodles
Where to Try It
Khao Soi Khun Yai and Khao Soi Lam Duan in Chiang Mai are the city's most celebrated spots.
Tips
- Squeeze lime and add pickled mustard greens from the condiment plate — these cut through the rich coconut broth perfectly.
- The crispy noodles on top are fried versions of the soft noodles in the bowl — don't skip them.