Khao Soi is one of Northern Thailand’ signature dishes. If you’ve ever had the pleasure of savouring a bowl, you know why it’s loved by so many. If you haven’t had the pleasure yet, get cracking 🙂 You’ll find it served everywhere here, from expensive restaurants to food stalls on the street. I recently tried Khao Soi in the basement food court of Airport Plaza in Chiang Mai. Never underestimate shopping mall food courts in Thailand. The food is generally excellent, and the prices are as cheap as you’ll find on the street.
The basement level has Tops Market at one end, and the food court on the other. If you are standing with your back to the entrance walk to the right. You will eventually come to MacDonald’s on your left (run away fast!). Now, you will begin to see Thai food stands. Walk until you see this… You have arrived!
Khao Soi Booth, Airport Plaza
Sit down on one of the itzy-bitzy stools, or you might have to wait for someone to leave. One of the staff will take your order. You have the choice of pork, chicken, or beef Khao Soi. If you’re vegetarian, you can skip the meat.The preparation begins…
It’s almost time to eat! Delicious Khao Soi!
The waiting ends (and quickly), as I receive my chicken Khao Soi.
Chicken Khao Soi
Just one last thing to do. I top it with bean sprouts, cilantro, chillies, shallots, and squeeze on a touch of lime. I like mine spicy, so I’m heavy on the chillies!I look at the chicken, and it practically falls off of the bone. The noodles are cooked to perfection. Then it’s time for that first bite. Out of this world delicious! The spices and flavours come together in perfect harmony. I don’t think I put the spoon down until every morsel had disappeared. This is one of the best Khao Sois I have had in Thailand, and I highly recommend that when you are in Chiang Mai you make the short trip out to Airport Plaza. Any tuk-tuk or songthaew driver will be happy to oblige!
OH!, and the price, you ask? 40 Baht (. 89US/Cdn)… Have two bowls!!
Pinterest image for sharing…
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For all you cooks (real or wannabe), here’s a recipe, so you can try at home.
Khao Soi Paste
4-8 dried Thai chilli peppers
2 medium shallots, (cut in half)
10 garlic cloves
1 2-inch piece of ginger, peeled and slices
1/4 c. cilantro stems, chopped
1 tbsp. ground coriander
1 tbsp. ground turmeric
1 tsp. curry powder
Place the chiles in a small bowl and cover with boiling. Let soak until soft for 25-30 minutes.
Drain chiles and save liquid.
Puree chiles, shallots, garlic, ginger, cilantro stems, coriander, turmeric, curry powder and 2 Tbsp. of chile liquid in a food processor. If needed, add more liquid until smooth.
Soup
2 tbsp. coconut oil (If you don’t have coconut oil, use cooking oil of your choice.)
2 14-ounce cans of unsweetened coconut milk
2 cups chicken broth
2 lb. chicken thighs
1 lb. Chinese egg noodles
3 tbsp. or more of fish sauce
1 tbsp. palm sugar or substitute brown sugar
Toppings
2 cups fresh bean sprouts
1 cup chopped cilantro
1/2 cup crispy fried shallots
1-2 limes quartered
chilli oil to taste
Heat oil in a heavy pot over medium heat. Add khao soi paste. Cook stirring constantly for 4-6 minutes until darkened. (Be sure to cook for at least 4 mins, or you’ll miss out on the flavor!)
Add coconut milk and broth. Bring to a boil.
Add chicken and reduce heat. Simmer until the chicken is fork-tender, 20-25 minutes
Cook noodles according to package directions.
Add fish sauce and sugar to taste.
Pour soup and noodles into bowls and serve with the toppings.
32 responses to “Chiang Mai: Khao Soi for Foodie Tuesday”
Thai food looked so good, but I never got to enjoy it the way I should have because I don’t eat chile—a definite disadvantage when traveling in Thailand and many other Asian countries—not to mention, Mexico—and New Mexico.
I don’t think I tried this when I was in CM. The curry powder and coconut milk in the recipe sound good. I think I’m going to make this (unlike the other commenters).
Hi Michele! Another reason to come back. Let me know how it turn out. I’m going to make this when I get home. I think I can find most of the ingredients in Korea.
I was here this morning but got an error message when I posted my comment.
Anyway, I met a friend for lunch and she picked a Thai restaurant. Unfortunately, they didn’t have Khao Soi on the menu but I had tom yum, crab dumplings and pork chops. It was delicious!
I’d love to try making khao soi one of these days. Thanks for the recipe and for joining the linkup this week. Hope you have a great rest of the week. We’re expecting more snow tonight into tomorrow. I’m ready for spring!
[…] The area sparkles with newness, and prices are in line with local non-mall food prices (30 – 50Baht) per dish. Lots of Thais were lunching here, so a good sign. After wandering down the line of vendors and peeking at what was on offer I chose one of my favorites, Khao Soi. I chose this dish for two reasons. First off, it’s one of my favorite Thai dishes, and secondly, I wanted to see how it compared to the Khao Soi on offer at the Airport Plaza Mall. I have rated that bowl of deliciousness as one of the best bowls of Khao Soi I have ever eaten. If you missed that post, you can click and have a peek […]
Love Khao Soi and think I will try your recipe tomorrow. I am also heavy handed on the chili. Will let you know how I get on. It is such a healthy meal.
Hi Irene. I am sure you would love Thai cuisine. There is such a huge variety. You never have to eat the same dish twice. Although, I have to admit that I have a few favorites that I keep going back for.
Wow, never even heard of Khao Soi before. Might have if we had been to Thailand. Looks a little daunting but I guess I’ll have to try making the recipe.
I didn’t remember reading this until I got to the comments and saw that the first one was by me on February 11, 2014, that would have been about a month after I met you —- in Chiang Mai! I wonder if I should try making this without the chile. That probably sounds sacrilegious, but it’s the only way I’m every going to get to taste Khao Soi.
32 responses to “Chiang Mai: Khao Soi for Foodie Tuesday”
Thai food looked so good, but I never got to enjoy it the way I should have because I don’t eat chile—a definite disadvantage when traveling in Thailand and many other Asian countries—not to mention, Mexico—and New Mexico.
Hi Suzanne! Not all Thai food is spicy, and they will often “hold” the chiles if you ask.
Your post brought back lots of memories from my trip to Thailand. Excellent!
Hi Marilyn! So glad you enjoyed the post. A walk down memory lane can be so much fun!
Thanks so much for the recipe. Looks absolutely delicious.
Hi Jan! If you try it, please let me know how it turns out!
[…] Khao Soi is one of Northern Thailand’ signature d […] […]
With so many ingredients, looks like a good dish to eat in a restaurant—preferably in Thailand!
What can I say? Don’t shoot the messenger. Maybe in this case, stay out of the kitchen 🙂
I’m with Irene – way too many ingredients to make at home! But it looks delicious.
I guess your both shooting the messenger tonight 🙂
I don’t think I tried this when I was in CM. The curry powder and coconut milk in the recipe sound good. I think I’m going to make this (unlike the other commenters).
Hi Michele! Another reason to come back. Let me know how it turn out. I’m going to make this when I get home. I think I can find most of the ingredients in Korea.
Thank you so much for your good recipe. I’d like to try this at home. Keep posting.
Hi Desiree! If you do make it, let me know how it turns out!
The two things that I like about recipes – healthy (Coconut milk & oil) and spicy. Thanks and can’t wait to try this out on my family.
Hi Neva! Happy cooking, and let me know what the family has to say about it!
markets are absolutely the best place to go to get fresh local food. I love them!
Have a great week.
Hi Jill, You are so right. Some of the best food I had anywhere in the world has been in markets. These vendors know how to cook the local food!
I was here this morning but got an error message when I posted my comment.
Anyway, I met a friend for lunch and she picked a Thai restaurant. Unfortunately, they didn’t have Khao Soi on the menu but I had tom yum, crab dumplings and pork chops. It was delicious!
I’d love to try making khao soi one of these days. Thanks for the recipe and for joining the linkup this week. Hope you have a great rest of the week. We’re expecting more snow tonight into tomorrow. I’m ready for spring!
Hi Marcia! Your choices sound delicious.
[…] The area sparkles with newness, and prices are in line with local non-mall food prices (30 – 50Baht) per dish. Lots of Thais were lunching here, so a good sign. After wandering down the line of vendors and peeking at what was on offer I chose one of my favorites, Khao Soi. I chose this dish for two reasons. First off, it’s one of my favorite Thai dishes, and secondly, I wanted to see how it compared to the Khao Soi on offer at the Airport Plaza Mall. I have rated that bowl of deliciousness as one of the best bowls of Khao Soi I have ever eaten. If you missed that post, you can click and have a peek […]
Love Khao Soi and think I will try your recipe tomorrow. I am also heavy handed on the chili. Will let you know how I get on. It is such a healthy meal.
Hi Paula! I love a lot of chili too. I have this recipe on my list to make once the summer heat ends here in Korea. Let me know how yours turns out.
I’d love to try these Thai dishes so great that you included a recipe to try them at home too. I’d just stay away from the chilis.
Hi Sue. If you do make it, let me know how it turns out. This is high on my list to make once the heat of the summer fades away. I miss my Khao Soi!
Khao Soi looks like a wonderful dish! I would love to visit Thailand and become more familiar with the cuisine.
Hi Irene. I am sure you would love Thai cuisine. There is such a huge variety. You never have to eat the same dish twice. Although, I have to admit that I have a few favorites that I keep going back for.
Wow, never even heard of Khao Soi before. Might have if we had been to Thailand. Looks a little daunting but I guess I’ll have to try making the recipe.
Let me know how it turns out!!!
I didn’t remember reading this until I got to the comments and saw that the first one was by me on February 11, 2014, that would have been about a month after I met you —- in Chiang Mai! I wonder if I should try making this without the chile. That probably sounds sacrilegious, but it’s the only way I’m every going to get to taste Khao Soi.
Hi Suzanne! We read so many posts that its impossible to remember them all! You should definitely try Khao Soi without the chili!