If you’re going to be spending any time in Northern Thailand, you’ll want to try a steaming bowl of khao soi, probably the most popular dish and the one most associated with the region. A creamy, rich and comforting coconut-based curry is served over soft egg noodles and topped with crisp egg noodles, which you can dress with the accompanying pickled greens, limes and chopped shallots. The dish might be a little different wherever you find it, but it’s always worth a try, especially if you're in the area known for the dish.

Khao soi—easily one of the most popular and easy to find menu items in Chiang Rai—is comprised of soft egg noodles with mild, coconut-based curry poured over it, and relished with crispy egg noodles. Commonly found at street food stalls, the Khao Soi can be found in differing variants: some without coconut milk, some with different types of noodles, and some served mixed with various vegetables.

One of the must-eat dishes here in Chiang Rai is Khao Soi – a noodle dish specific to the area and for this, I recommend the Khao Soi Restaurant. It’s 8 minutes walk from your next stop, the clock tower. For orientation, this restaurant is also close to Chiang Rai’s bus terminal number 1 and around the corner from where I recommend you stay in Chiang Rai, the Sleepy House, Chiang Rai.

Khao soi is a northern Thai dish that you absolutely cannot skip. Egg noodles are bathed generously in a coconut yellow curry soup, and many people add a dash of lime, red onions and picked vegetables before devouring the noodles. It is a popular lunch dish for Thai people who only have time for a quick meal, and good khao soi places often close after 3 PM.

Khao soi is originally from Myanmar then come into Thailand, and it is actually a soup made with wide rice noodles, chopped pork, tomatoes, fermented soybeans, chilies, shallots, and garlic. Take the meat soup as the basic soup, add curry sauce into the soup, then mix with ba mee, and finally sprinkle with fried golden crispy noodles and minced shallots.

Khao Soi Restaurant is a compact little kitchen that's manned by friendly chefs and comes fronted with a menu of just 5 or 6 daily-changing Thai dishes. You can hardly miss it – the joint lies on the south side of Chiang Rai Night Bazaar. Deep-fried tofu cubes, pork broths, crispy noodle salads, and fried fish skins are all part of the offering.

Khao Soi is one of the flagship dishes of northern Thailand, showcasing a culinary heritage influenced by Burma. Highly popular with visitors, it has become a true traditional specialty of Chiang Rai. This dish consists of soft and crispy egg noodles submerged in a creamy curry sauce made with coconut milk and meat, often chicken or beef.

Located right at the center of town—if you come before nightfall, enjoy a dinner of authentic Khao Soi curry soup at Four Stars nearby while you wait—this gleaming monument lights up in a spectacular fashion. Another adjacent attraction worth visiting is the Northern-style Wat Jet Yod temple.

Khao soi is my favorite noodle dish in Asia, and that’s really saying quite a lot, considering the dizzying biodiversity of noodle soups in this region of the world. Thought to be of Burmese origin, the dish has been modified in Northern Thailand, and is, I think, superior to the original.

Khao Soi Restaurant is a great dining option in Chiang Rai, right by the night market. Service is quite slow but the food is absolutely delicious. The khao soi is obviously delicious, but I personally enjoyed the chicken Penang curry best (always my personal favorite Thai dish).

To eat like a local and try a delicious Chiang Rai version, head to Pho Chai on Jedyod Road (about half way between the clock tower and Wat Jed Yod). For only a 40 baht ($1.70AUD/$1.30USD) you can try this tasty dish. It comes in chicken, shrimp or fish versions.

Despite its name, Khao Soi Restaurant offers much more than just khao soi, and their other dishes might even be better!. This spot is perfect for all your favorite Thai dishes like fried rice, pad Thai, curry, and fried pork with basil.

Northern Specialties Khao Soi Gai Egg noodles with chicken in spicy coconut soup. Loved this dish that resembles curry noodle.