Well if you are here, it means you want to try the best Khao Soi that Chiang Mai have to offer. You came to the right place. I am Chiang Mai went to all the places listed below to eat delicious Khao Soi for all for you and of course for ourself. We judge our khao soi with three metrics. The broth, how creamy the broth is. The spice level, as they say in Thailand, the spicy the better the food. Lastly, we judge the best khao soi by the the texture of the noodles. If the noodles are bouncy it is great, as the noodle is an important ingrident of a khao soi dish.
Let’s dig in on a bit of history of what a khao soi is and the 6 best khao soi restaurants you must try in Chiang Mai.
What is Khao Soi?
Khao Soi is flavorful chicken or beef broth with coconut milk as the base and crispy noodles on top… If what you’re hearing appeals to you, you won’t be able to resist salivating over this dish. The traditional noodle soup known as khao soi is a favorite among both locals and visitors to Chaing Mai.
In Chiang Mai, khao soi is a highly well-liked meal. It dominates every local’s list of things to do in Chiang Mai and is so prevalent in the city that it is practically considered synonymous with it. Even if you haven’t tried it yet, we already know you’re going to adore it since it’s spicy, salty, creamy, zesty, and extremely rich.
You’ll note that when you order khao soi at a restaurant, the dish is usually always served with a few relishes on the side, including pickled cabbage, red onions, a squeeze of lime, and some roasted chili flakes. There are so many flavor combinations to test, so feel free to add these as you wish to customize the dish to your tastes.
Additionally, there are three versions of khao soi: beef, chicken, and pork. Since each one delivers a somewhat different interpretation of the same complex flavor profile, we advise you to sample them all.
What Is A Good Khao Soi
The color of the soup is the good indicator of a quality khao soi. If the broth is prepared properly, it will take on the color of the meat, turning murky and dark instead of milky in hue from the addition of spice. Chilies, shallots, garlic, ginger, coriander, turmeric, and curry powder are combined to create the paste that serves as the soup’s foundation. Depending on the chef, that base is then enhanced with coconut milk, meat broth, meat chunks, egg noodles, and other seasonings.
Best Khao Soi You Must Try in Chiang Mai
Khao Soi Mae Sai
This restaurant is situated in the Mueang neighborhood, close to Wat Lok Moli (), a Buddhist temple that is thought to be over a thousand years old, and Wat Suan Dok, another Buddhist temple with a distinctive golden dome and serene surroundings. If you ask around about where to find the best khao soi in the city, you’re most likely to be told to go there.
This restaurant is also an excellent place to refuel after long days of traveling and viewing some of the historical landmarks because you can get there on foot from both of these locations in less than 30 minutes.
On top of the khao soi served here are fresh herbs. If you choose the chicken khao soi, it will include whole, expertly cooked chicken drumsticks.
Khao Soi Islam Noodles
One of the most well-known locations to try khao soi is this long-standing restaurant adjacent to the Mosque and Worarot Market outside the old city walls, which reputedly stays closely to the original recipe.
It’s a Muslim restaurant that serves khao mok gai, a type of Thai yellow chicken biriyani, along with other delectable meals.
It is served in a basic setting. Like most Thai restaurants, you visit for the food quality rather than the ambiance.
Khao Soi Wulai
A little eatery called Khao Soi Wulai can be found along Wulai Road close to the Wat Lok Molee temple. Locals love it dearly, but tourists never seem to find it.
You can count on a divinely hot soup flavored with rich coconut milk, pickled cabbage made in the style of Burma, and roasted chilli paste. For 30 baht a bowl, you would not break the bank and can eat up to 3 bowls easily.
Khao Soi Loong Prakit Kard Kom
No matter what you decide to eat, you can tell as soon as you enter Loong Prakit’s restaurant that it will be delicious.
The first thing you might notice is an elderly man grinning as he stands behind three enormous pots of cooking noodles. It is possible that Loong Prakit, the proprietor and creator of an incredible khao soi recipe, may be seen grinning boldly but modestly as he welcomes visitors to the small restaurant dining area.
Khao Soi Samer
This restaurant, along with another one called Khao Soi Samer Jai, is presumably the one that attracts the most attention from online sources.
I’ve been to Khun Yai before to eat her amazing and nearly perfect khao soi recipe, and I felt that it merited a return trip for this day of noodle excess.
Best Khao Soi in Chiang Mai
Well you have to tell me, as the cuisine is very subjective. For us all the 6 places above are the best places to visit and eat khao soi in Chiang Mai. Tell us in the comments below for where are your favorite restaurants to try khao soi in Chiang Mai or anywhere else in Thailand.
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