In a nod to SrirachaJohn who plaintively asked if there was any genuine Thai food left in this beloved city of ours or has it all converted over to farung food central with the only things left to eat are burgers, pizza and ribs, I present the Great Khao Soi poll.

To put this into context I like Khao Soi and it is a Northern Region speciality. I don't eat it too often because it is pretty loaded up with fat (coconut milk) and unless I opt for the true Northern variety sans coconut I am at risk of turning into an Australian version of the Michellin Man.

First up - give me some names of Khao Soi restaurants and I will create a poll then let the votes stand.

I am interested in both the KS specialist restaurants and the little hole in the wall place that has is as part of their menu. So fess up and give me some names.

Next polls will be Pizza, Ribs, and Isaan Sausages (steady there Peace Blondie ). Stay tuned for the great Chiang Mai Pad Kha Pao poll.

CB

Can we do a Kow Mok Guy poll? Someone passed on a good place, but way too far away for me.

Anyone know any near the Thapae Gate/Night Bazaar area?

My favorite is a new place that just opened last year....it's located on the CM to Sankapheng [old] road, going towards Bosang after the 2nd ring road keep looking on the left for big sign saying 'SK leather' and it's immediately after that. blue green tile roof and has two entrances. if you pass the cal tex gas station, you've gone 100mtrs too far.

Absolutely the best Khao Soi I've had and the prices are quite reasonable, especially the nice landscaping and setting that the owner, 'George' has created. George lived in the states and speaks excellent English and is very hospitable as well.

Warning, it can be crowded at lunch time, so if you want the best KS, go before 12 or after 1.

Sorry, i can't remember the name now. I'll post when i remember it or see it again.

In a nod to SrirachaJohn who plaintively asked if there was any genuine Thai food left in this beloved city of ours or has it all converted over to farung food central with the only things left to eat are burgers, pizza and ribs, I present the Great Khao Soi poll.

To put this into context I like Khao Soi and it is a Northern Region speciality. I don't eat it too often because it is pretty loaded up with fat (coconut milk) and unless I opt for the true Northern variety sans coconut I am at risk of turning into an Australian version of the Michellin Man.

First up - give me some names of Khao Soi restaurants and I will create a poll then let the votes stand.

I am interested in both the KS specialist restaurants and the little hole in the wall place that has is as part of their menu. So fess up and give me some names.

Next polls will be Pizza, Ribs, and Isaan Sausages (steady there Peace Blondie ). Stay tuned for the great Chiang Mai Pad Kha Pao poll.

CB

I get my Khao soi from a little stall in a village in Doi Saket - so that's a bit obscure but top of the list has to be 'Just Khao Soi' on Charoenphratet Rd.

Lamduan Khao Soi

I like Heun Phen on Ratchamanka road.

There's a fairly good place on that strip of food shops next to 3 kings monument. It's a bit too watery and their curry paste could do with a bit of tuning but not too bad.

Lamduan definitely have the ingredients right and would be my place of choice but not always convenient.

Best place is at home as my husband makes the best Khao Soi, but is a perfectionist so have to make curry paste from scratch. It's an all day activity for which we don't have much time for.

Brief Note:

Khao Soi Lamduan is at 352 / 22 Charoen Rat Road.

Brief Note:

Khao Soi Lamduan is at 352 / 22 Charoen Rat Road.

Same, perhaps, as the place I called Lamduan Khao Soi.

Kao Soi Lamduan has a newish branch on the Superhighway as well. Superb every time.

They are in a lovely looking white 3 storey Thai / Burmese style house.

Their lemongrass juice (naam takrite) is something else as well.

The Triple "N" restaurant in the Montri gets my vote.

Excellent Kao Soi

The little, local-style Thai Vegetarian restaurant between the Amphur Office and Wat Pra Singh has my favorite khao soi. The missus, who's a Chiang Mai local (& carnivore), agrees that it's outstanding. The only downside - they just raised the price from 15 to 20 baht.

Mae Jam Paa Khao Soi, off Aom Muang road in Soi Techno Asia just over the little bridge is, to my mind, the best Khao Soi, by far, in Chiang Mai.

Coming from the Big C/Superhighway intersection. Cross the railway bridge and take the first Soi on the left. It is a couple of hundred meters up the soi, past Asia Tech, on the right.

Add my vote for Heun Phen - love that restaurant

My favorite is a new place that just opened last year....it's located on the CM to Sankapheng [old] road, going towards Bosang after the 2nd ring road keep looking on the left for big sign saying 'SK leather' and it's immediately after that. blue green tile roof and has two entrances. if you pass the cal tex gas station, you've gone 100mtrs too far.

Absolutely the best Khao Soi I've had and the prices are quite reasonable, especially the nice landscaping and setting that the owner, 'George' has created. George lived in the states and speaks excellent English and is very hospitable as well.

Warning, it can be crowded at lunch time, so if you want the best KS, go before 12 or after 1.

Sorry, i can't remember the name now. I'll post when i remember it or see it again.

Hey, I know George (he has or has Afghan Hounds) and I assume that SK leather is right next to his house on the compound of the old Anuban. If that's the case than it is BEFORE the second ringroad (nr. 121), and just AFTER the Caltex (if you're coming from town) on your left hand side, right?

Nienke

The little, local-style Thai Vegetarian restaurant between the Amphur Office and Wat Pra Singh has my favorite khao soi. The missus, who's a Chiang Mai local (& carnivore), agrees that it's outstanding. The only downside - they just raised the price from 15 to 20 baht.

Even if it is The Best In Chiang Mai that is still scandalous. If you went there 3 times a week , for a month, that would be nearly a pound more - 2 pound for the both of you!!

My favourite so far is Samoe Jai which is on the same road as the original Lamduan Khao Soi.

Of the places mentioned so far, I have tried Khao Soi Lamduan, Just Khao Soi and Samoe Jai. Good initiative Crow Boy, I will definitely try some of the other places mentioned too.

There used to be a small hole in the wall close to Kaat Kom (a market located close to the Nation's Chiang Mai office, you will hit it if you go straight south from Chiang Mai Gate) that had excellent Khao Soi, but I haven't been there for 4 years so don't know if they are still there and if so, whether the Khao Soi is as good as it used to be.

The restaurant next to the Lumber yard on Trat Wong

There is also a great place in little soi right opposite to the old Chiang Inn Shopping Plaza. There's a good Muslim Khao Soi in there (but of-course no pork). The PM Thaksin used to go there very often.

The other good place is Samoe Jai.

Neither of my favorites will win this poll since I've never seen another farang in either.

My favorite, by far, is the "Khao Soi Guy" in the sit down part of the Thanin Market. There's only one. My second choice is the noodle stand on Sirimankalajarn Road between Soi 9 and 11. I've tried at least a dozen other places. Khao Soi Lamduan, Just Khao Soi and Huen Phen are all a distant third.

I have added a poll to the front of the thread - please vote for your favourite. If it isn't on the list add a post with the name and I will add it.

enjoy

CB

The little, local-style Thai Vegetarian restaurant between the Amphur Office and Wat Pra Singh has my favorite khao soi. The missus, who's a Chiang Mai local (& carnivore), agrees that it's outstanding. The only downside - they just raised the price from 15 to 20 baht.

Even if it is The Best In Chiang Mai that is still scandalous. If you went there 3 times a week , for a month, that would be nearly a pound more - 2 pound for the both of you!!

It's so good, I might even consider paying 25 baht!

an interesting article with regards to Khao Soi. More towards Lamduan Khao Soi.

edit: perhaps someone with wonderful talent in Google Earth can put up all of these Khao Soi places on the map??? U know just so that we can taste the best khao soi in town Same way AusthaiEd had it posted on Lamduan (Superhighway Rd).

Could someone add the vegetarian Khao Soi at Aum Vegetarian restarant?

There is also a great place in little soi right opposite to the old Chiang Inn Shopping Plaza. There's a good Muslim Khao Soi in there (but of-course no pork). The PM Thaksin used to go there very often.

The other good place is Samoe Jai.

thats the one I go to....so good, they have a goat khao soi as well, more expensive than the usual beef/chicken but worth it.

Hard to get a carpark in the soi, but they have 3 or 4 spaces right next to the restaurant if youre lucky.

Could someone add the vegetarian Khao Soi at Aum Vegetarian restarant?

Personally, I have found the vegetarian Khao Soi delicious. The meat I've had never seems to add to the dish- it just tastes confusing to me.. Also less Tong Sia

I feel the same.

Could someone add the vegetarian Khao Soi at Aum Vegetarian restarant?

Added UG thanks

CB

There is also a great place in little soi right opposite to the old Chiang Inn Shopping Plaza. There's a good Muslim Khao Soi in there (but of-course no pork). The PM Thaksin used to go there very often.

The other good place is Samoe Jai.

thats the one I go to....so good, they have a goat khao soi as well, more expensive than the usual beef/chicken but worth it.

Hard to get a carpark in the soi, but they have 3 or 4 spaces right next to the restaurant if youre lucky.

I had to park opposite to Chiang Inn. I parked there once and could not move out the other car blocked mine. But it's so good. Khao Mok Kai is good too!

My favourite khao soi place is also Chiang Mai's oldest, Khao Soi Islam, on Soi Ban Haw (Charoen Prathet Soi 12) near the Ban Haw mosque. Owned and operated by Yunnanese Muslims, it's the closest to the real thing you can find in Chiang Mai. The best I've ever had is at the famous khao soi place in the village of Ban Luang, on the western slopes of Doi Ang Khang. No coconut milk in that one.

Recently realthaideal and I visited Lamduan and Samoe Jai one after another to compare them. We had a bowl of chicken khao soi at each. I used to prefer Samoe Jai but on that day, we both agreed that Lamduan's khao soi was more tasty. It had more complex flavours - possibly due to fresher spices? - and better texture. The khao soi at Samoe Jai that day, by comparison, had a bit too much coconut milk in it, and was smothered on top with coconut cream. I don't know whether Lamduan has improved since my last visit years ago, or whether Samoe Jai has gone downhill. But Lamduan clearly won the day! Still Khao Soi Islam is better than either, for my tastes at least.