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10 Memorable Bowls of Khao Soi in Thailand You Need to Try
We’re pretty sure there are times when you feel tired of seeing pad thai everywhere (it’s the national dish, after all). However, there are some Thai dishes that are rarely seen in Thai restaurants abroad, and khao soi is one of them.
This Chiang Mai speciality embodies the marriage of the north’s Chinese cuisine with the Lanna culture and ingredients. The spicy, rich coconut broth, tender meat, and the yin and yang of the crispy and soft noodle parts paired with mustard greens is divine.
This list will guide you through the known, and less-known khao soi hotspots in Thailand, not just in Chiang Mai but also in other regions. Read on!
Chiang Mai
Khao Soi Maesai
Media from @catcar033
Address: Ratchaphuek Road, Chang Phueak
Contact details: 053 213 284, [email protected]
Operating hours:
- Monday to Saturday – 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- Sunday – CLOSED
If you asked us pre-pandemic on what’s the best place to get a bowl of khao soi from, we would’ve likely told you to go to this sweet spot in a converted home garage along Ratchaphuek alley, called Maesai.
Its khao soi has a great balance of spice and savouriness, and contains either pork, beef, chicken, and meatballs over noodles, so picky tongues can choose the ones most fitting to their taste. The broth has this rich coconut taste that just hits the spot.
Pair your chosen bowl with a glass of Thai coffee or tea, and you’re set for the day.
Pro tip:
Since Khao Soi Maesai is a Michelin Bib Gourmand ‘five-peat’ awardee, prepare to see lots of people, especially during peak hours (so, go for breakfast)! Some call it a “tourist trap”, but you’d want to trust the world’s pioneer food reviewers, won’t you?
Khao Soi Arak
Media from LeeLeeVerse
Address: Arak 7 Alley, Tambon Si Phum
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 10:30 AM to 4:00 PM
- Sunday – CLOSED
Pricing: ฿
Menu
If you want to experience what it’s like to eat like a Thai at home, head to Arak, a mom-and-pop shop in the middle of a residential area in the Old Town. It whips up the basics: khao soi with chicken, pork, or beef (meat or meatballs) as toppings.
The large signage keeps it identifiable on the road. Inside, an open kitchen, lino-covered mismatched tables likewise mismatched tables, and ventilation care of the humid Thai weather, and we love it!
People with low spice tolerance can rejoice, since the verdict is that the khao soi broth isn’t that spicy. Adjust it to your desired level with the chilli provided on the table.
Pro tip:
Khao Soi Arak doesn’t have any social media, so it’s up to your luck (and this guide 😉) to catch them open. The shop focuses on doing the food instead of marketing, so if that doesn’t scream ‘hidden gem’, we don’t know what else does!
Khao Soi Lung Prakit Kad Kom
Media from Tim Cacho
Address: 53 Suriyawong 5 Road, Tambon Hai Ya, Mueang Chiang Mai
Contact details: 083 209 9441
Operating hours: Daily – 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Pricing: ฿
Facebook
Menu
Beef lovers should definitely try out Lung Prakit Kad Kom (also written as ‘Loong Prakid Gard Gorm’), which thankfully is in a semi-commercial neighbourhood. As another Michelin Bib Gourmand awardee in Chiang Mai, it’s definitely a shop not to miss.
The beloved Uncle Prakit put up the shop over 40 years ago, and now his children and other relatives manage it day-to-day. Sometimes, Uncle still gets his hands working in the kitchen.
As mentioned, the speciality at Lung Prakit Kad Kom is the beef khao soi. The chicken variant is also a good choice for the fall-off-the-bone meat!
Pro tip:
Lines get long at Khao Soi Lung Prakit Kad Kom as early as 10:00 AM! So, try to get your fill as soon as the shop opens!
Khao Soi Khun Yai
Media from Surapol Na Roon
Address: Sri Poom 8 Alley, Tambon Si Phum, Mueang Chiang Mai
Contact details: 090 651 7088
Operating hours:
- Monday to Saturday – 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- Sunday – CLOSED
Pricing: ฿
Menu
Khun Yai’s khao soi shop is at the edge of Chiang Mai’s old town, facing the moat, just beside Wat Khuan Khama. The vibe is simple but a tad more polished than other khao soi shops—reminds us a lot of the typical school cafeteria, really.
It serves pork, chicken, and beef khao soi, with the chicken and beef usually getting sold out by lunchtime. Khun Yai sets itself apart in the drinks department by offering longan and lotus root flavoured juices.
The customer base here are mostly tourists, thus it can get quite packed.
Pro tip:
Grab a seat first, then order at the front counter. Be a good noodle and share your table with others, too!
Khao Soi Mae Manee 2
Media from Thai Mui
Address: 45/9 Lampang – Chiang Mai Superhighway, Tambon Chang Phueak, Mueang Chiang Mai
Contact details: 089 955 1178, 081 881 9012
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Saturday and Sunday – 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Khao Soi Mae Manee has been around for over 40 years now. It has two branches: the original one at Chotana Road, and a new one right along the superhighway.
Although the OG will forever be in our hearts, we can’t deny how much this branch steps up. Branch 2 impresses with improved facilities on top of the already tasty noodle soups with a Michelin Bib Gourmand seal of approval.
For the khao soi, pork, chicken, and beef are go-to’s, but there are also fish and shiitake mushroom ‘meatball’ variants available. The variety doesn’t just stop there—you can also mix and match the proteins in one bowl!
Pro tip:
Make sure your phone’s battery is enough, since Khao Soi Mae Manee 2’s ordering system is via a QR code on your table. Now that’s 21st century efficiency—no need to leave your table!
Ms Cat’s Soup Restaurant
Media from Google Maps
Address: Choeng Doi, Doi Saket
Contact details: 053 866 088
Operating hours: Daily – 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Pricing: ฿
Menu
Great khao soi doesn’t always have to come from a shop that specialises specifically in it. Sometimes, a jack-of-all-trades shop can create a memorable and delicious bowl of curry noodle soup, too!
Here’s where Ms Cat’s Soup Restaurant comes in. With Thai noodle basics such as kuay jap (soup with broad rice noodles) and, of course, khao soi, this shop might just be your next regular highway stopover.
Ms Cat’s khao soi comes with a full kick of spice and the familiar coconut and curry flavour, making it quite an interesting bowl of noodles for a trip further up north of the province.
Pro tip:
Ms Cat’s Soup Restaurant is a proper pit stop for people on the go. Buy some snacks before continuing your journey!
Bangkok
Khao-Sō-i Soi Convent Silom
Media from KHAO-SŌ-i
Address: 14/2-3 Convent Rd, Si Lom, Bang Rak
Contact details: 062 591 3791, Line: https://lin.ee/yYPd3MX
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 10:30 AM
- Saturday and Sunday – 10:00 AM to 8:30 PM
We’re sure glad that there’s still a chance to get a good bowl of khao soi noodles, even within the busy streets of Bangkok, thanks to Khao-Sō-i. The Soi Convent Silom branch of the Chiang Mai-rooted brand is a blessing for those craving a hearty meal.
First and foremost, everything about this place is pretty. The restaurant interiors are in a polished Thai motif, and the food itself is served in beautiful trays with stunning plating.
Our top pick would be the khao soi with braised beef shank & chuck eye that’s fully covered with the meat on top—tender and generous on spice and indulgence.
Pro tip:
For a surprising twist, try Khao-Sō-i’s stir-fried khao soi. The broth gets replaced by a generous dollop of curry sauce.
Siam Tea Room – Sukhumvit 22
Media from The Siam Tea Room
Address: Lobby floor, Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park, 199 Sukhumvit Soi 22, Klong Ton, Klong Toey
Contact details: 02 059 5999, [email protected]
Operating hours: Daily – 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Pricing: ฿฿฿
Website
Menu
If you have the money to splurge, trying out the ‘bougie’ version of khao soi at the Siam Tea Room won’t hurt. (And if you don’t have enough right now, it still won’t hurt to have it in your checklist for a future dinner date.)
The Siam Tea Room’s Sukhumvit 22 branch’s take on khao soi has soft shelled crab, giving it a unique, lighter edge over the usual variants of the curry noodle dish. Generous on the crab and crispy noodles, it will keep your tum satisfied.
A serving of it is delicious and stunning at the same time.
Pro tip:
Don’t forget to order some mango sticky rice for dessert. Head on to the Siam Tea Room’s bakery for some take home baked goodness, too.
Pattaya
Khao Soi Chiang Mai Kru Aor
Media from RAKI
Address: 315/12 Pattaya 3rd Rd, Pattaya City, Bang Lamung District
Contact details: 081 530 5995
Operating hours:
- Monday, Wednesday to Sunday – 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM
- Tuesday – CLOSED
Pattaya might be all about the nightlife, but you might change your mind about that with Khao Soi Chiang Mai Kru Aor and its cosy spot at the ground floor of an inn. The tasty chicken khao soi fits the fiery Thai palate and will make you enjoy the day.
Khao soi isn’t the only soup on its short menu, though it’s the bestseller. Another northern favourite available here is nam ngiao (pork stew with vermicelli), which is equally delicious.
Yes, the khao soi’s a bit more expensive than ones in Chiang Mai, but given the geography and the authentic flavour, our mouths don’t need to say more for the smile it brings to our faces.
Pro tip:
Last time we were here, tea was unfortunately nowhere on the menu. You’ll have to push things down with soda or just water.
Prachuap Khiri Khan
Khao Soi @ Hua Hin
Media from Khao Soi @ Hua Hin
Address: 136, 371 Hua Hin 102, Nong Kae, Hua Hin District
Contact details: 062 226 1436
Operating hours:
- Tuesday to Sunday – 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- Monday – CLOSED
Finding a khao soi restaurant in the western part of Thailand is a tough task. We’re glad to know that at least one chef thought that bringing the Chiang Mai favourite to this part of the country is worth a try—and they’ve been on it for two years now!
Khao Soi @ Hua Hin is no frills with the name, but all out on the lively traditional restaurant decor, and of course, the food.
The bowls to get are the khao soi sai ua (curry noodles with northern sai ua sausage) and the house’s take on Thai fusion, khao soi with crispy chicken.
Pro tip:
Cash is still king at Khao Soi @ Hua Hin.
