Introduction and Starting the Recipe

If there’s one dish that instantly transports me to a bustling street corner in Chiang Mai, it’s Khao Soi. Oh my goodness—this dish is pure comfort in a bowl! It’s creamy, spicy, slightly tangy, and absolutely bursting with flavor. Plus, the combination of tender chicken, silky egg noodles, and crispy toppings is just downright magical. ✨

I first fell in love with Khao Soi while traveling through Northern Thailand, and ever since then, I’ve been chasing that perfect bowl. It’s a little exotic, a little messy, but 100% worth every slurp. And here’s the best part—you don’t need a plane ticket to enjoy it. You can make authentic-tasting Khao Soi right at home, and it’s much easier than you think!

So, whether you’re new to Thai cooking or you’ve already dipped your toes into coconut curries, this recipe will make you feel like a total kitchen rockstar. Let’s dive in and make some golden, spicy goodness!

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Curry Paste:

4-5 dried red chillies, soaked in hot water (adjust for heat)

3 shallots, chopped
4 garlic cloves
1 thumb-sized piece fresh turmeric (or 1 tsp ground turmeric)

1 stalk lemongrass, chopped
2 tbsp chopped coriander roots or stems
1 tsp cumin seeds

1 tsp coriander seeds
1 tsp shrimp paste (optional, or sub with 1 tbsp soy sauce for vegetarian version)

For the Soup:

500g boneless chicken thighs, sliced (or tofu for veggie version)
400ml coconut milk

500ml chicken or vegetable stock
300g egg noodles (fresh or dried)
2 tbsp vegetable oil

1 tbsp palm sugar (or brown sugar)
2 tbsp fish sauce (or soy sauce for veggie)
2 tbsp lime juice

Toppings:

Crispy fried egg noodles (or baked noodles)

Thinly sliced shallots
Chopped fresh coriander
Pickled mustard greens (optional, but amazing)

Lime wedges
Chilli oil for drizzling

Step 1: Make the Curry Paste

Good Khao Soi starts with a good curry paste, and this one is fragrant and full of personality!

Toss your soaked chillies, shallots, garlic, turmeric, lemongrass, coriander roots/stems, cumin seeds, coriander seeds, and shrimp paste (or soy sauce) into a blender or food processor.
Blitz everything into a smooth, aromatic paste. Add a little splash of water if it needs help blending.

💡 Shortcut Tip: In a pinch, you can use 3 tablespoons of Thai red curry paste plus 1 teaspoon turmeric to save time!

Step 2: Cook the Curry

Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat.

Add your freshly made curry paste and fry it for about 2 minutes until super fragrant (this is where your kitchen will start smelling incredible).
Toss in the sliced chicken (or tofu) and sear it for 3 minutes.
Pour in the coconut milk and stock, stirring well to combine.

Bring the pot to a gentle simmer and let everything cook for about 15 minutes until the chicken is beautifully tender.
Stir in the palm sugar, fish sauce, and lime juice right at the end.

It’s creamy. It’s spicy. It’s just waiting to become your next obsession.

Finishing the Dish and Top Tips

Step 3: Cook the Noodles

While your curry is simmering away, it’s time to get those noodles ready!

Cook the egg noodles according to the package instructions.

Drain them and divide them evenly into four big bowls.

💬 Note: For that classic Khao Soi experience, you’ll want a mix of soft, slurpable noodles underneath and crispy noodles on top.

Step 4: Assemble Your Khao Soi

Here’s the fun part—putting it all together!

Ladle the rich, golden curry soup over the noodles in each bowl.

Top each bowl with a handful of crispy fried noodles.
Sprinkle over sliced shallots, chopped coriander, and pickled mustard greens if you’re using them.
Finish with a generous squeeze of fresh lime and a drizzle of chilli oil for that signature Khao Soi heat.

Every bite is creamy, spicy, tangy, and just totally addictive.

Bonus Tips for the Best Khao Soi

Depth of Flavor: Add a cinnamon stick and star anise while simmering the curry if you want extra layers of flavor.

Vegan Option: Swap chicken for tofu and use mushroom stock and soy sauce.
Making it Spicy: Want more kick? Add extra chillies to your paste or more chilli oil when serving.
Crispy Noodles Shortcut: If frying noodles seems like too much effort, you can bake fresh noodles at 180°C until golden and crispy!

FAQ Section and Conclusion

FAQ: All About Khao Soi

Q1: Can I make Khao Soi ahead of time?
Absolutely! The curry tastes even better the next day. Just keep the noodles and toppings separate until serving.

Q2: What’s a good substitute for shrimp paste?
If you’re keeping it vegetarian, soy sauce is a perfect alternative. It adds that needed umami flavor.

Q3: How can I make my Khao Soi extra creamy?
Use full-fat coconut milk, and don’t skimp! Also, simmer it gently—boiling can cause the coconut milk to split.

Q4: Can I use other proteins?
Definitely! Beef, pork, or even prawns work beautifully. Adjust the cooking time depending on what you use.

Q5: Where can I find pickled mustard greens?
Most Asian grocery stores carry them, or you can substitute with pickled cabbage if needed.

Q6: How spicy is traditional Khao Soi?
It’s usually medium spicy, but you can dial it up or down based on how many chillies and how much chilli oil you add.

Q7: What if I can’t find egg noodles?
You can substitute with ramen noodles or even spaghetti in a pinch—it won’t be traditional, but it’ll still be delicious!

Conclusion

There you have it: a big, beautiful bowl of homemade Khao Soi that’ll make you feel like you’re sitting under the Thai sun, even if you’re just cozy at home. 🥰

Creamy, spicy, tangy, and totally soul-warming, this dish hits every flavor note perfectly. Whether you’re making it for a cozy night in, a fun dinner party, or just because you need a little edible adventure, Khao Soi is the ultimate feel-good meal.

I can’t wait for you to try it—don’t forget to load up on the toppings and go crazy with that lime and chilli oil! 🌶️🍋 Let me know how yours turns out!

Authentic Khao Soi (Thai Coconut Curry Noodles) – Creamy, Spicy & Irresistible!

Author: Mouad Boulkhiout
Total Time: 45 minutes

Print Recipe

Description

Transport your tastebuds to Northern Thailand with this Khao Soi (Thai Coconut Curry Noodles) recipe! Creamy, spicy, and rich, this easy homemade version features a fragrant curry broth, tender chicken, soft and crispy noodles, and all the fresh toppings. It’s the ultimate comfort food that’s surprisingly simple to make.