Chiang Mai is the largest city in northern Thailand. It is a popular destination in Thailand with many Buddhist temples and an Old City worth exploring.
Different from Bangkok, the temperatures in Chiang Mai are cooler, the vibe is more relaxed and you are surrounded by the beauty of the mountains.
Food, and specifically the most famous local dish, Khao Soi, was one of the main reasons for traveling to Chiang Mai. After exploring the local food in Bangkok, we were eager to discover Khao Soi in Chiang Mai as well as the beauty of the region.
Join us on our hunt for the best authentic Khao Soi in Chiang Mai.
Map of Thailand
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep one of northern Thailand's most sacred temples
Khao Soi – The Most Famous Noodle Dish in Chiang Mai
Khao Soi, the most famous dish of Chiang Mai, quickly became one of our favorite dishes in Chiang Mai. This northern Thai dish is a rich and spicy coconut milk based curry served with chicken or beef and two types of noodles.
The origins of this dish come from the South of China, when Chinese Yunnanese Muslims on their way through Thailand to Myanmar.
That’s why it’s only found in the north of Thailand. The main ingredients are: freshly made red curry paste, turmeric powder and curry powder. Khao Soi in Chiang Mai is accompanied by a fresh lime wedge, shallots, pickled cabbage and roasted chilis.
Bowl of Khao Soi and the typical accompanying sidesIn Search of the Best Khao Soi in Chiang Mai
In Chiang Mai, you’ll find Khao Soi everywhere, from restaurants, local eateries and markets. Each vendor has their own way of making this traditional dish. The spice levels is the first difference you will notice. Some vendors make the Khao Soi a little too mild, while others may have it a little too hot and spicy.
Although some of the places listed below are more famous and popular than others, try several before you decide on your own favorite Khao Soi spot. Here are a few authentic Khao Soi places to give you a head start.
1 – Khao Soi at the Saturday Market by Chiang Mai Gate
As always, the best places to find local dishes is at the local markets. Chiang Mai offers many incredible food markets day or night.
Every Saturdays night is the Wui Lai Market by the Old City. The market starts across the Chiang Mai Gate and extends all the way down the length of Wui Lai Road. Although the market is dedicated to art and crafts, you will find plenty of food options.
The area around Chiang Mai gate is a bustling square where food vendors set up their carts and tables. You’ll see tourist and locals alike sitting together and enjoying the local foods.
Crowded square at Chiang Mai GateOn our first Saturday night in Chiang Mai, we walked through the many vendors and decided to try the local specialty: Khao Soi.
We were served a generous bowl of Khao Soi and were eager to try our first Khao Soi in Chiang Mai.
The noodles were perfectly cooked. Not soggy at all. And the chicken was extremely tender . The curry soup thick and not too spicy. For our first introduction to Khao Soi in Chiang Mai, we were delighted.
Delicious bowl of Khao Soi Chiang MaiWhere
Wui Lai Market – Khao Soi Vendor
Address: Chiang Mai Gate
Hours: Every Saturday from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Prices: 40 Baht per person, approximately $1.22 USD.
2 – Khao Soi at a Very Local Eatery
To get the local flavor and experience, there is no better place to eat in a local part of town where the locals themselves go for lunch.
Every week, during our month long stay in Chiang Mai, we would go wash our laundry at a nearby “wash shop” or coin-operated laundry facility. The extremely clean laundry facility is just off the busy Chonprathan Road (Chiang Mai Outer Ring Road) a few meters away from isleepguesthouse.
Right across the laundry place, we discovered this small street vendor where locals would stop for lunch.
There were no signs in English and the ladies preparing the food didn’t speak a word of English. Enticed by the popularity of the place, we decided to gave it a try.
Popular local place for Khao Soi on the Outer Ring Road in Chiang MaiOnce we sat down, we learned that they specialize in only two dishes.One of them was Khao Soi, so we jumped at the opportunity to try a Khao Soi made before our eyes by locals.
This Khao soi was really spicy and certainly geared towards the local taste. The chicken was delicious and falling off the bone. And the noodles were crispy and literally melted in the mooth.
We really enjoyed this Khao Soi, although we had to contend with our mouths being on fire. Even though it was on the spicy side, it was extremely delicious and we made sure to eat it every week while doing laundry.
Definitely worth a try as you getting used to the levels of Thai spices.
Bold and flavorful bowl of Khao Soi in Chiang MaiWhere
Local Khao Soi Street Vendor
Address: At the intersection of Wua Lai and Huay Kaew Soi 2 Road, Chiang Mai
Hours: Monday to Saturday from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Prices: 30 Baht per person, approximately $1.00 USD
3 – Khao Soi Mae Sai – Stands True to Its Popularity
Another highly recommended restaurant by locals is Khao Soi Mae Sai. It is said to be the best place to have Khao Soi by expats and regular visitors to Chiang Mai. With such recommendations and a prestigious title, we were eager to taste the very famous Khao Soi.
Locals and tourists quickly fill up the tables. With the lunchtime hours extending until 4:00 pm, it is best to go after the rush so that you can sit outside and enjoy your meal.
The Kitchen at Khao Soi Mai Sai
Incredibly impressive bowl of Khao Soi. Fresh and flavorfulWhere
Khao Soi Mae Sai
Address: 29/1 Ratchaphuek Alley, Mueang Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai
Hours: Monday to Saturday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Prices: 40 Baht per person, approximately $1.22 USD.
4 – Khao Soi Khun Yai – Recommended but Disappointing
Khao Soi Khun Yai came highly recommended and we found it mentioned in many articles and blogs. It is a really popular restaurant, filled with tourist crowding the benches at this off-road street vendor.
Given its popularity, you have to be patient when ordering your meal. It is best to go either early before the busy lunch period or a little later after the crowd winds down.
Khao Soi Khun YaiOne particularity of this place is that you can order either the beef Khao Soi or the chicken Khao Soi.
We decided to order one of each to get a sense of the differences between the two versions.
Overall, we were disappointed by Khao Soi here. Perhaps we had really high expectations after hearing all the positive reviews about the place.
First, the portions are relatively small as compared to everywhere else we had eaten Khao Soi. It is the kind of place where you may need to order a second bowl just to satisfy your hunger.
Secondly, the crunchy noodles didn’t seem homemade and were lacking freshness. The beef was disappointing and the chicken was only a slight improvement.
However, on the positive side, the location and atmosphere is pleasant. The restaurant is in the Old City on a quiet street across from the Wat Kuan Kama Temple. If you are looking for a laid back experience in the Old City, this is a great option.
Good, but not fantastic bowl of Khao Soi, Chiang MaiWhere
Khao Soi Khun Yai
Address: Across Wat Kuan Kama Temple, Sri Poom Road, Amphoe Mueang, Chiang Mai.
Hours: Monday to Saturday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Prices: 40 Baht per person, approximately $1.22 USD.
5 – Khao Soy Nimman – A Catered Experience
Located on Soi 7 in Nimman, this upscale air-conditioned restaurant is popular with tourists and expats. The English speaking staff know enough to communicate and allow first-time visitors or those not comfortable diving into the street food version of Khao Soi, feel at home.
Gorgeous outdoor seating at Khao Soy Nimman RestaurantThe Khao Soi here is predictably more expensive. The portions are not as generous as compared to other locations. Perhaps to cater to foreigners, the flavors are not as spicy. Overall, the sauce was creamy and it blended well with noodles. The chicken was tasty, though not as tender.
If you are looking for an upscale experience in air conditioning and an English speaking staff, you will like the comforts of Khao Soy Nimman. We found the experience “catered” and we much prefer Khao Soi prepared the “real” way, for the local palate.
Khao Soi at Khao Soy NimmanWhere
Address: 137, Nimmanhemin Road, Soi 7
Hours: Everyday, from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm
Prices: 65 Baht per person, approximately $1.94 USD.
How to Make Khao Soi in Chiang Mai
After falling in love with Khao Soi and eating it at several different places, we decided to take a cooking class. At Aroy Aroy cooking school, we learned how to make Khao Soi, the most famous dish in Chiang Mai.
Yours truly ready to "dish up" our favorites Thai specialties!The experience was a lot of fun, and there was a lot of chopping and preparation involved. We learned that the secret to a good Khao Soi is in the sauce.
The key ingredient is the red curry paste, which can be adjusted to suit one’s taste. More or less curry can be added which changes the taste of the dish. Read more about this lively cooking class at Aroy Aroy in Chiang Mai.
To make Khao Soi at home, here is the list of ingredients and recipe (compliments of Aroy Aroy).
To make things easier you can buy the Khao Soi Paste instead of making it from scratch. If you’re up for more cooking then follow the recipe for Khao Soi Paste.
Once you’re set with the Khao Soi Paste, Here are the ingredients needed to make Khao Soi in addition to the Khao Soi Paste.
Ingredients for Khao Soi
1 pound fresh Chinese-style egg noodles, divided
2 (15-ounce) cans coconut milk, or 2 cups fresh coconut milk (do not shake)
1 cup homemade or canned low-sodium chicken stock
2 tablespoons palm sugar
2 chicken skinless chicken breasts, sliced thinly
Fish sauce to taste
Sliced shallots and lime wedges for serving
In the heat of cooking Khao Soi
Our home made Khao Soi at Aroy AroyRecipe Khao Soi – Serves 4
1- Separate out 1/4 of the noodles (enough noodles to make a crispy fried-noodle topping for 4 bowls) and set the remaining noodles aside.
2-Heat vegetable oil in a large wok over high heat until simmering. Working in batches, add noodles to oil and fry, stirring and flipping until golden brown and crisp. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Season with salt and set aside.
3-Discard all but 1 tablespoon oil from wok. Using a spoon, skim 2 tablespoons of creamy fat off the top of the coconut milk and add to the wok. Heat wok over high heat and cook, stirring constantly, until coconut milk breaks and oil begins to lightly smoke, about 2 minutes. Add curry paste mixture and cook, stirring and smearing the paste into the oil, until aromatic, about 45 seconds.
4-Slowly whisk in the coconut milk, followed by the chicken stock and palm sugar. Add sliced chicken breasts and bring to a simmer. Cook, turning chicken occasionally, until chicken is tender and broth is very flavorful, about 30 minutes. Season to taste with fish sauce.
5-Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add remaining uncooked noodles and cook until al dente, about 1 minute. Drain noodles and divide between four warmed bowls. Top noodles with two pieces of chicken. Divide broth evenly between bowls. Top with fried noodles and serve immediately with sliced shallots, lime wedges, and pickled mustard greens on the side.
And remember, you will find many of these ingredients on the Authentic Food Store!
Have you had Khao Soi before? Let us know in the comments below what you think of it.
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Rosemary is a writer and culinary explorer. Together with her partner, Claire, they created Authentic Food Quest to inspire people to travel deeper through authentic food. Through food, they believe, people can have more meaningful connections on their travels. Prior to creating Authentic Food Quest, Rosemary worked as a director of strategy in advertising for over 15 years. Take the quiz and find out your Food Traveler Profile.
Hi! Welcome to Authentic Food Quest. We are Claire and Rosemary. Our goal is to invite you to explore the local flavors on your travels. Follow our quest for authentic foods from around the world.
I did go to Chiang Mai but can you believe I didn’t try any khao soi. I didn’t really have many meals on my own because I did tours and a cooking class. I would love to go back and try some!
Can’t believe that you were in Chiang Mai and missed Khao Soi. I do hope you are planning a trip soon. Khao Soi is delightful and an experience that should not be missed 🙂
I fell in love with Thailand over again in this article. That place is budget friendly and the food I’m seeing here makes me want to up and run to chiang Mai… Kudos on this one… I’ll love to learn how to make the noodles too
So glad you enjoyed the article and it took you right back to Chiang Mai. What a great place to visit and such amazing food. Let us know how the noodles turn out. Cheers 🙂
Thanks so much and really glad to read that you enjoyed the article. Please do let us know how the recipe turned out for you. Thanks for stopping by!
Your posts always manage to make me hungry. I love the idea of hunting for the best version of a dish. Thailand has really been calling to me lately, and the thought of sampling from all of these locations is definitely adding to that.
If Thailand is calling, heed the call. A beautiful country and Chiang Mai is a lovely place to explore as well. Save this article for your trip and you will not be disappointed 🙂 Cheers, Kris.
I LOVE Thai food but Ive yet to try Khao Soi. It looks freaking delicious! Thanks for including the recipe, Im going to try it this weekend!
If you already love Thai food, you will love Khao Soi. Do let us know how the recipe turned out. Cheers!
ooo look at all that Khao Soi! Yummy photos! Loved this virtual food tour of Chiang Mai
You are most welcome. Glad you loved the Khao Soi food tour in Chiang Mai. Have you ever had Khao Soi?
Oh my! This dish looks delicious! I had Thai food a few minutes ago. The things is that most restaurants around here do not have Khao Soi on their menus. But, in Thai Town (East Hollywood), I know there are restaurants selling it. In this one place, the noodles are prepared every day.
Lucky you for having a Khao Soi place in the area. Do head out to Thai Town because it is worth the adventure. Thanks, Ruth for stopping by.
This sounds delicious! I cannot handle spicy food, but because of your guide I can definitely find some mild Khao Soi. I also love how you added a recipe, so we can try this dish if we can’t make it to Thailand soon!
Your right Christina, with Khao Soi, you can adjust the “spice levels” to your liking. Do both, try the recipe and visit Chiang Mai, you will love the experience.
Wow! This looks absolutely delicious. Sounds like you had a lot of fun trying to find the best Khao Soi
Thanks so much Samantha…at authentic food quest, we aim to bring the best local experiences to travelers so that they can have a wonderful experience. Indeed, eating the local food is the best part of the experience 🙂
This is an amazing list. I am a huge fan of noodles and soup especially if it’s from Thailand. I hope to visit all of these places someday soon!
Glad to hear Candy, that you are a Thai food fan. Hope you make it to Chiang Mai soon and sample the delicious Khao Soi for yourself 🙂
Yum yum yum! Now I am hungry 🙂 Thanks for including a recipe!
Wow! You’ve described everything I feel like I’ve been there already! and the pictures are great!:)
Thanks, Karolina, so glad you enjoyed the article. Have you had Khao Soi before?
Your posts always make me so hungry! Anything with coconut milk in it sounds pretty delicious to me, so I think I’d like the Khao Soi.
You would love Khao Soi, Tamara. It is one of our favorite Thai dishes. Glad the post got you salivating. Add Chiang Mai, Thailand to your travel plans and you will be delighted!!
Honestly, the food looks great at every one of these places! My son visited Chiang Mai a few years ago and I wonder if he got to taste any of these, and which was his favorite. It would be so much fun to go on a tasting tour.
If your son loves food and trying the local specialties, he most probably had Khao Soi. Share the article with him and let us know if he did 🙂
I can’t handle a lot of spice, so I would choose the less spicy recommendations you’ve mentioned.
I’ve never had Khao Soi before and unless I can find a gluten free version, I’ll never be able to try it (I’m celiac). It makes me a little sad because it sounds so good. I might use your recipe and see if I can find a decent noodle to use with it, though.
I sadly didn’t have Khao Soi when i was in Chiang Mai! 🙁 I am so sad about this. I wish I read this post before I was in the area! It looks like an absolute must. Luckily I have high intentions of returning soon. When that happens I will be sure to give it a try! Thanks!
Awesome to hear that you’ll be back in Chiang Mai soon. Khao Soi is not to be missed. Hang onto this list and do let us know where you end up going and your experience. Wishing you delicious travels. Cheers.
We enjoyed a fab dish of Khao Soi last April, with the couple whom we house sat for. They grab their Thai food from a village outside of town where they live; bordering Doi Suthep National Park. The food out there in the villages surrounding town is first rate; no mailing it in as you experienced in the Old City, where folks may hold back some because tourists will gobble up anything happily and give a thumbs up.
I am no foodie but after eating for 2 years in Thailand collectively, I know real Thai food 😉
We are heading back to this village in February for the same house sit. Ready and raring to enjoy more authentic Khao Soi!
Fabulous post guys!!
Ryan
Thanks Ryan and so jealous you are heading back for some “real” local Khao Soi. You are right, further away from the tourist spots, the Khao Soi is incredible! So glad you enjoyed the article and eat well….for us 🙂 Cheers!
I so agree that it’s fun to eat where the locals go. I’ve spent months in Thailand and I have to confess I’ve never heard of Khao Soi. Even when I was in Chiang Mai. I get so stuck on fried shrimp with basil and chilli I order it every day. Literally. This will propel to expand my food experience.
Oh, bummer. So sad that you missed Khao Soi in Thailand and specifically in Chiang Mai, where it is the most famous dish. Hopefully, you’ll get back to Thailand soon and when you do, make Khao Soi your first meal. Thanks, Carol.
We still haven’t made it to Thailand yet, but I’m dying to visit!! Khao Soi sounds amazing and exactly like a dish I would enjoy. It would be so fun to try this dish from so many different restaurants—I love seeing how iconic dishes are different from place to place. Taking a cooking class is always so fun too, and such a great idea!
Thanks so much Jenna for your comments. As food explorers, we are always interested in learning about the local foods with the goal of inspiring others to travel through the local food. Khao Soi is one of those meals that must be experienced in Thailand and specifically, Khao Soi. Hope you get to Thailand soon and make sure to indulge in this dish. You will be amazed by its flavors!! Thanks for stopping by.
Hey, thanks for the list of ingredients for Khao Soi — it might be something I could actually make! I love anything with coconut milk added, and every version you show here looks amazing! Your list of places that serve it well will come in very handy when I get to Chiang Mai.
You are most welcome Tami, please do share a pic with us after you’ve made the meal. We agree, anything with coconut milk is amazing. Indeed, do keep this list handy for your trip to Chiang Mai and do let us know your preferred place for Khao Soi. Cheers.
I became a khao soi addict, sort of, after spending half a year in Chiang May. Personally, I found the best khao soi from street vendors: crunchiest noodles, the broth full of flavor, bitey spices. Pricier places were trying to be fancy and generally spoiled authentic experience. It’s been 3 years since I left Thailand and haven’t had a bite of khao soi. I just couldn’t find it anywhere. Finally, this summer during my visit to Perth, I spotted it on a menu of some Thai restaurant. I was so excited, but the soup hadn’t lived up to my memories.
Totally agree Elena, our favorite places for Khao Soi in Chiang Mai were also the small off the beaten path places! That’s awesome that you’ve seen it on a restaurant in Perth. It is had to replicate the flavors outside of the city of origin. We’ve had similar disappointments with Vietnamese foods in the U.S. as well. The best is always to enjoy the local flavors at the destination 🙂 Thanks for stopping by.
We took the night train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai but didn’t know about Khao Soi so missed out. We did eat many other amazing things at the markets though and took a one day cooking class at Chiang Mai Thai Cookery School. Loved Chiang Mai.
Ahh…bummer that you missed indulging in Khao Soi in Chiang Mai. Now you know for next time 🙂 What did you make in your cooking class? We loved Chiang Mai as well. A great city worth visiting. Thanks, Sue.
I’ve never had Khao Soi before…never even heard of it! But I love the spices and flavors that are used so much in Thai cooking, so I’m sure I would love it. I’ve also never been to Thailand…now I have another reason to visit beyond just the beautiful scenery. Thanks for the great insider tips!
You are most welcome Jim, and if you are already a Thai food fan, you will absolutely love Khao Soi. Indeed, the food is another reason to visit Chiang Mai. Do let us know if you end up discovering Khao Soi in Chiang Mai. Cheers.
Khao Soi in Chiang Mai sounds like a staple to try for sure! Good to know that the spice levels vary – I’m not great with too much spice, so mild would be my way to go. Totally agree that the best places to find local dishes are the markets – I haven’t set out itinerary yet, but will try to plan time in Chiang Mai to fall over a Saturday when we go to Thailand to fit in Wui Lai Market 🙂
Yes, do make sure you indulge in Khao Soi in Chiang Mai. Skip the tourist spots and settle in at a local stand and be prepared to be amazed. The food will certainly enhance your overall experience on your trip! Have fun!!
Yummy! It does look like curry laksa considering its Chinese origins. What would you say is the main flavor that distinguishes khao soi from other noodle dishes?
So glad you enjoyed the article Daniel 🙂 Actually, curry laksa is quite different from Khao Soi. Indeed they do share Chinese origins, but the preparation is incredibly different. The fresh curry paste and the combination of flavors is what makes Khao Soi so unique. So rich and delightful. This is one must-have dish!!
Hi! Thank you so much for your recommendations! I’m right now in Chiang Mai – one month here. By the moment, my favorite Khao Soi is Mae Sai’s one 😉 discovered it by chance while looking for a condo 😀
I’d like to taste the local one you talked about, the one near your laundry, near Wua Lai…. but can’t figure where it is… because you said “Outer Ring” which is far away from Wua Lai Rd., and then in the address you said Huay Kaew Soi 2, which is near Nimman and way far from Wua Lai too…
I think something was lost in translation here 😀 please, would you so kind to give me a pin in a map, or other name for the road crossing Wua Lai?
Thank you so much in advance!
Hi Alvara, thanks so much for your note and glad you are enjoying exploring the delicious Khao Soi of Chiang Mai. The local food stall is actually near isleepguesthouse (20 Chomdoi RoadT. Suthep Muang Chiangmai). We’ve updated the article to reflect this change. Thanks again and enjoy Khao Soi in Chiang Mai.
Cant believe you missed out on 2 of the very best and most authentic Khao soi houses in the city…. Khao soi Islam and khao soi Lam Duan ( Fa Ham ). Thankfully you wont find many tourists there so no Chicken breasts in the curry. Just proper bone in chicken drumsticks for true flavour. A huge pot of stock on the rolling boil with proper curry paste ( not red curry paste ) and it gets better and better as the day goes on. A lot of the locals visit later in the day when the stock is at its best.
Perfect Alan, thanks so much for the additional recommendations. Great timing, we’ll be back in Chiang Mai soon and will check these spots out. Appreciate the recommendations. Cheers.