What Khao Soi is
Khao Soi is the signature noodle dish of Chiang Mai and northern Thailand: soft egg noodles in a coconut-milk curry broth, crowned with a tangle of the same noodles fried crisp. The contrast between the two is the whole point of the dish.
It is traditionally served with pickled mustard greens, sliced shallot or red onion and a lime wedge on the side, so each spoonful can be cut with something sharp. It is a northern dish, not a Bangkok one, and most Thai menus outside Thailand leave it off.
How we make it
Ours is printed as “Noodle Curry Soup” at $18.45: Chiang Mai-style egg noodles in a coconut-milk curry broth with red onion, bean sprouts, pickled mustard greens, green onions and chicken, topped with crispy egg noodles and cilantro.
It is on the Chef's Special list rather than the main noodle section, because it is a northern regional dish rather than a standard.
Spice is set when you order: mild, medium, hot or spicy.
Questions we get asked
- I don't see Khao Soi on the menu — do you have it?
- We do. It is printed on our menu as “Noodle Curry Soup”, in the Chef's Special section. It is the Chiang Mai dish: egg noodles in coconut curry broth, topped with crispy egg noodles.
- What does Khao Soi taste like?
- Rich and mildly sweet rather than sharp. The coconut milk rounds the curry off, and the pickled mustard greens and red onion cut through it. The crispy noodles on top stay crunchy for the first few minutes, so it changes as you eat it.
- What is the difference between Khao Soi and Tom Kha?
- Both use coconut milk, but Khao Soi is a curry noodle bowl and Tom Kha is a soup. Khao Soi is thick, curried and served over egg noodles as a meal. Tom Kha is a lighter galangal-and-lemongrass coconut broth with mushrooms, ordered alongside other dishes rather than as one.
- Where can I get Khao Soi near Lynnwood?
- We serve it at 2902 164th St SW #C4, Lynnwood, WA 98087. It is a northern Thai regional dish that most Thai restaurants in the area do not carry, so it is worth checking before you drive.