Khao Soi in Northern Thailand

I’ll be honest, I’m not the biggest fan of northern Thai food. I much prefer central and southern Thai cuisine but the one northern Thai dish that I absolutely cannot refuse is khao soi.

Khao soi refers to a noodle soup dish made with both crispy and soft egg noodles in a creamy, curry-like sauce thickened with coconut milk. It’s typically made with chicken or beef but you can have it with pork, shrimp, or fish as well. It’s usually served with a side of pickled cabbage, red onions, and lime.

Creamy, crunchy, and delicious, khao soi is a must-try when visiting northern Thai cities like Chiang Mai  or  Chiang Rai . Just be aware that it’s typically served for lunch so few restaurants will offer it at night.

We had khao soi a few times in northern Thailand and the best was at Khao Soi Khun Yai in Chiang Mai. Check out our Chiang Mai food guide for more information.