Chiang Mai's defining bowl: soft egg noodles and chicken or beef in a coconut curry broth, crowned with crisp fried noodles, lime, shallot and pickled greens.
Khao soi came to northern Thailand with 19th-century Yunnanese-Muslim (Haw) caravan traders, who settled around Chiang Mai's Ban Haw mosque near Warorot Market. Their original version was a clearer, halal beef broth closer to Burmese and Yunnanese noodle soups. Over time the Thai north sweetened and enriched it with coconut milk and red curry paste, added the signature tangle of deep-fried crisp noodles on top, and paired it with pickled mustard greens, shallots and lime. Today it is the single dish most identified with Chiang Mai, sold everywhere from garage counters to Michelin Bib Gourmand shops.
4 editor picks for Khao soi in Chiang Mai, ranked by editorial score. All Chiang Mai signature dishes · Khao soi across every city.
Khao Soi Khun Yai ★ 4.4
old-city · Sri Poom 8 Alley, Si Phum, Mueang Chiang Mai 50200
A garage khao soi counter behind Wat Kuan Kama that many locals rank the city's best, ladling a deep spicy curry broth until it sells out by early afternoon.
Khao Soi Lung Prakit Kad Kom ★ 4.4
wualai · 53 Suriyawong Road Soi 5, Hai Ya, Mueang Chiang Mai 50100
Khao Soi Lamduan Fa Ham ★ 4.3
wat-ket · 352/22 Charoenrat Road, Wat Ket, Mueang Chiang Mai 50000
A 70-year Fa Ham legend on Charoenrat, its creamy khao soi with tender beef drawing queues onto the pavement each morning before it sells out.
Khao Soi Mae Sai ★ 4.3
chang-phueak · 29/1 Ratchaphuek Alley, Chang Phueak, Mueang Chiang Mai 50300
A Bib Gourmand shophouse near the Ratchaphuek lane, pouring a classic coconut khao soi over egg noodles for 50 to 75 baht since long before Michelin arrived.