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Flavorful Thai Coconut Curry Noodle Soup

As seen in Warming Soups and Stews for Every Season.

Chicken khao soi is a popular Northern Thai noodle soup that features tender chicken, soft noodles, and a creamy coconut curry base. It all kicks off with a fragrant curry paste made with fresh spices, shrimp paste, and seasoning. The soup is enriched with coconut milk and fish sauce for a rich taste. Served with a mix of chewy noodles and crispy fried ones, it's finished off with bright garnishes like lime, pickled greens, shallots, and chili toppings. Each bite is a delicious mix of sweet, savory, tangy, and spicy flavors.
Chef with a smile, ready to cook and serve.
Created by Sandra
Fresh as of Sun, 23 Feb 2025 16:37:45 GMT
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A hearty soup bowl featuring chicken, noodles, and garnishes. Save Recipe
A hearty soup bowl featuring chicken, noodles, and garnishes. | yummygusto.com

Khao Soi stands as a crown jewel of Northern Thai cooking, where golden coconut milk meets aromatic curry and tender chicken. This curry noodle soup brings together silky broth and crispy noodles in perfect harmony, delivering authentic flavors straight from the streets of Chiang Mai.

This recipe comes from years of studying traditional Thai cooking techniques. The key discovery was finding the right balance of palm sugar to mellow the curry's intensity while enhancing its natural flavors.

Key Ingredients

  • Coconut milk: Use full-fat for proper richness and body
  • Fresh turmeric: Provides vibrant color and authentic flavor
  • Thai curry paste: Choose quality brands for best results
  • Chicken thighs: Dark meat adds depth to the broth
  • Egg noodles: Essential for both soft and crispy elements

Preparation Method

Start the Curry:
Heat oil until shimmering, then bloom spices to release their oils.
Build the Broth:
Incorporate coconut milk gradually, allowing flavors to develop.
Cook Chicken:
Simmer until meat becomes tender and easily shreds.
Prepare Noodles:
Cook until al dente, reserving portion for crispy topping.
Final Assembly:
Layer noodles, pour broth, garnish with crispy elements.
A bowl of soup with chicken and vegetables. Save Recipe
A bowl of soup with chicken and vegetables. | yummygusto.com

Toasting whole spices releases essential oils that elevate the final dish. This technique, passed down through generations, creates deeper, more complex flavors in the curry paste.

Serving Suggestions

Set out condiments and garnishes in separate dishes, allowing diners to customize their bowls. This traditional serving style encourages a communal dining experience.

Recipe Variations

Adapt the recipe using shrimp, duck, or tofu as protein alternatives. For vegetarian versions, combine mushrooms with roasted squash for satisfying results.

Storage Instructions

Keep broth and noodles in separate containers. The curry base develops deeper flavors over 48 hours. Warm slowly, adding coconut milk to restore consistency.

A bowl of soup with chicken and vegetables. Save Recipe
A bowl of soup with chicken and vegetables. | yummygusto.com

This dish exemplifies the art of Thai curry making. The slow-simmered broth, tender chicken, and contrasting noodle textures create a memorable dining experience. Each bowl celebrates traditional cooking methods while bringing people together around the table.

Recipe Tips & Help

→ What is khao soi?
From Northern Thailand, khao soi is a noodle soup made with coconut curry broth, egg noodles, and a protein like chicken. It’s finished with crispy noodles and fresh toppings too.
→ Can I make khao soi vegetarian?
Absolutely! Swap chicken broth with veggie stock and use tofu or vegetables instead of chicken. Replace shrimp paste and fish sauce with miso or soy sauce.
→ What are the key ingredients for khao soi?
Main must-haves include egg noodles, a curry paste made of chilies, garlic, shallots, ginger, and spices, coconut milk, protein, and toppings like pickled greens, lime, or shallots.
→ How spicy is khao soi?
You can control the spice. Thai bird’s eye chilies give it quite a kick, but you can use less or leave them out. Spicy chili paste lets each person crank up the heat if they want.
→ What type of noodles should I use?
Thick wonton noodles or fresh Chinese egg noodles work best. You’ll need some for the soup and others fried crispy for the topping.

Flavorful Thai Coconut Curry Noodle Soup

Discover how to make chicken khao soi, a luscious Northern Thai coconut curry noodle dish garnished with crispy noodles and vibrant toppings.

Preparation Time
30 Mins
Cooking Time
30 Mins
Total Time
60 Mins
Created by: Sandra

Dish Type: Comforting Soups

Skill Level: Medium

Style: Thai

Makes: 4 Serves

Dietary Notes: No Dairy

What You'll Need

→ Khao Soi Paste

01 1 lime’s fresh zest
02 6 garlic cloves
03 2 teaspoons turmeric powder
04 1 teaspoon curry powder
05 1-inch chunk of peeled fresh ginger, sliced
06 2 Thai bird's eye chilies, fresh
07 2 medium-sized peeled shallots
08 2 teaspoons ground coriander seed
09 A generous 1/4 cup of cilantro, stems and leaves
10 2 tablespoons shrimp paste

→ Soup Base

11 4 cups chicken broth (low sodium)
12 2 tablespoons veggie oil
13 3 tablespoons fish sauce
14 1 pound skinless chicken thighs, sliced
15 2 teaspoons brown sugar
16 14 ounces coconut milk (unsweetened)
17 2 tablespoons Thai red curry paste
18 1 pound fresh egg noodles (Chinese style)

→ Fresh Garnishes

19 Crispy fried noodle topping
20 Chopped cilantro leaves
21 Thinly sliced raw shallots
22 Thai chili paste (Nam Prik Pao)
23 Pickled mustard greens and stems
24 Lime wedges

Method

01

Pop all the ingredients for the khao soi paste into a food processor. Blend everything together until the mixture becomes smooth and aromatic. This will be the flavor-packed base for the dish.

02

Warm up vegetable oil in a big pot on medium-high heat. Toss in the chicken slices and sear until they’ve got a golden-brown crust, then set them aside for later. Without cleaning the pot, cook the homemade curry paste in the hot oil for about 3 to 5 minutes. Add the red curry paste, chicken broth, and brown sugar to the pot. Let it gently bubble up to a low boil.

03

Drop the heat to low so the broth quietly simmers. Stir in the coconut milk and add fish sauce. Put the previously browned chicken back into the pot, letting it finish cooking while sitting in that creamy, fragrant soup.

04

While the broth is simmering, boil your fresh Chinese egg noodles. Follow the cooking steps on the package until they’re perfectly chewy, then drain and set aside.

05

Spoon the cooked noodles into four bowls. Pour the warm, flavorful broth with chicken over the noodles. Top each bowl with crispy fried noodles, lime wedges, Thai chili paste, pickled mustard greens, fresh cilantro, and raw shallots—or customize with your favorite garnishes.

Cook's Tips

  1. Khao Soi is a fragrant coconut curry noodle soup enjoyed across northern Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos.
  2. The mix of crispy and soft noodles is a hallmark of this dish, delivering that unique texture.
  3. If you’re out of shrimp paste, laksa paste makes a handy alternative.

Kitchen Equipment

  • A sharp knife for prepping ingredients
  • Food processor for blending the curry paste
  • A large pot or Dutch oven for cooking everything together

Allergen Guide

Check ingredients carefully for allergens. When in doubt, please consult your doctor.
  • Recipe contains shellfish from shrimp paste
  • Egg noodles include wheat
  • Fish sauce is made from fermented fish

Nutrition Per Serving

Values are approximate and should be used as a general guide.
  • Calories: 689
  • Fat Content: 40 g
  • Carbohydrates: 46 g
  • Protein: 41 g