Authentic Khao Soi Recipes

KHAO SOI (CHIANG MAI) NOODLES

Steps:

• Heat a Dutch oven, wok, or saute pan over medium heat. Add 2 Tablespoons oil. When the oil begins to simmer, sear chicken until golden brown on all sides, about 8 to 10 minutes total. (It will finish cooking in the curry, so don't worry if it's not cooked through.) Set drumsticks aside, leaving pan over heat.
• To heated pan, add 3/4 cup coconut milk (if using canned coconut milk that has separated, use the top, thicker portion of the milk) to the pan. Simmer coconut milk, stirring constantly, until it has reduced by half and you can see oil separating from the milk, 5 to 6 minutes. (Note: This step to "break" the coconut milk is part of the traditional process, but don't worry if your coconut milk doesn't show signs of separating after this initial cook time - just proceed with the recipe.)
• To coconut milk, add Khao Soi curry paste or seasoning packet and simmer, stirring constantly, until thick and fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Add chicken pieces and stir to coat in curry paste.
• Pour chicken stock and remaining 1 cup coconut milk over chicken.
• Bring to a boil and then reduce temperature to maintain a low simmer. Cover and simmer until chicken is cooked through and very tender, 20 minutes for cubed chicken and 30 minutes for drumsticks.
• Turn on the pressure cooker's sauté function to normal / medium. When hot, add 2 Tablespoons oil. When the oil begins to simmer, sear chicken until golden brown on all sides, about 8 to 10 minutes total. (It will finish cooking in the curry, so don't worry if it's not cooked through.) Set drumsticks aside, leaving sauté function on.
• To heated pot, add 3/4 cup coconut milk (if using canned coconut milk that has separated, use the top, thicker portion of the milk).
• To coconut milk, add Khao Soi curry paste or seasoning packet and simmer, stirring constantly, until thick and fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Add chicken and stir to coat in curry paste.
• Pour chicken stock and remaining 1 cup coconut milk over chicken.
• Turn off saute function and let the mixture cool slightly. Scrape up any browned bits on the bottom of the pan (this is a key step to prevent the burn error).
• Close and lock the lid. Set steam valve to Sealing. Cook on manual / high for 15 minutes.
• Let pressure naturally release for 5 minutes and then manually release any remaining pressure.
• Heat a Dutch oven, wok, or saute pan over medium heat. Add 2 Tablespoons oil. When the oil begins to simmer, sear chicken until golden brown on all sides, about 8 to 10 minutes total. (It will finish cooking in the curry, so don't worry if it's not cooked through.) Set drumsticks aside, leaving pan over heat.
• To heated pan, add 3/4 cup coconut milk (if using canned coconut milk that has separated, use the top, thicker portion of the milk) to the pan. Simmer coconut milk, stirring constantly, until it has reduced by half and you can see oil separating from the milk, 5 to 6 minutes. (Note: This step to "break" the coconut milk is part of the traditional process, but don't worry if your coconut milk doesn't show signs of separating after this initial cook time - just proceed with the recipe.)
• To coconut milk, add Khao Soi curry paste or seasoning packet and simmer, stirring constantly, until thick and fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Transfer coconut and curry mixture to the bowl of a slow cooker. Add chicken stock, remaining 1 cup coconut milk and chicken.
• Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6 to 7 hours.
• When the curry is nearly finished, fill a wok, Dutch oven, or saucepan with about 4 inches of vegetable oil and place it over medium heat. Set a plate lined with paper towels nearby. When the oil is hot, fry 6 ounces of noodles in batches until golden brown and crisp, 2 to 3 minutes. Make sure that each portion of noodles is roughly the right size to top each bowl of soup. Transfer fried noodles to paper towels and season immediately with some salt.
• Bring a pot of water to a boil and add 4 ounces noodles. Boil until just tender (they should still have a bit of a chewy texture). Drain.
• When the curry is finished, taste and season with some salt, fish sauce, or a pinch of sugar if you'd like. (This is a key step for a great Thai curry. Customizing to taste means you'll get a curry that you love every time.)
• Divided boiled noodles between serving bowls. Ladle curry over top. Finish with fried noodles and toppings

KHAO SOI ( THAI COCONUT NOODLE SOUP)

Steps:

• Start a pot of boiling water, to cook the rice noodles and make sure to follow your package directions, as rice noodles can differ. Drain and rinse with water to help prevent them from sticking together. A little oil to coat, will help here, or if you time it right, you can add it directly to the soup.
• While water is boiling, prep the shallot, garlic, lemongrass, red bell pepper, then get all other ingredients ready by the stove.
• In a medium pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add shallot and lemongrass. Saute until fragrant and golden, about 3 minutes. Add garlic, saute 1-2 minutes. Add red curry paste, turmeric, and a pinch of cardamom. Saute for 1-2 minutes.
• Add the coconut milk , chicken broth and kefir lime leaves and bring to a simmer, stirring. Once gently simmering add the bell pepper, fish sauce, sugar, soy sauce and chili garlic paste.
• Add the prawns (or chicken or crispy tofu) and gently simmer until cooked. Give a generous squeeze of lime. Taste, adding more lime/salt/ red curry paste if necessary.
• Drain the noodles. If serving all of the soup immediately, toss the noodles right into the pot and then serve. Alternatively, divide noodles into the bowls and ladle the flavorful soup over top- a bit easier to handle.
• Garnish with fresh basil, pickled mustard greens, crispy noodles, bean sprouts, thinly sliced red onion, lime wedge, or chopped scallions.

CHIANG MAI NOODLE BEEF KHAO SOI

Steps:

• Remove excess fat from beef short rib. With a pairing knife, slice beef into large chunks.
• In a dutch oven, heat vegetable oil over medium high. Add beef short rib chunks with tongs and brown in oil on both sides, 2-3 minutes. It's easiest to do this in batches, removing browned meat and placing in a separate bowl until all of the beef has been seared.
• Add red curry paste to the saucepan and turn the heat down to medium. Cook for 5 mins, then add the Indian curry powder, turmeric and sliced red chili.
• Cook for 1 minute then add coconut milk, coconut cream, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, shrimp paste, tamarind paste, beef stock, fish sauce and lime juice. Bring to a simmer.
• Return the seared beef back to the pot filled with Chiang Mai Noodle Kao Soi curry sauce.
• Keep the broth at a simmer over low heat and cover with a heavy lid, and cook for 2 hours, until the beef chunks are extremely tender and some oil has started to separate from the broth, floating to the surface.
• During the braising process, if the liquid level has reduced too much, add more water or beef stock to bring it back to the original level.
• While beef short rib is tenderizing in the coconut curry sauce, add 2 inches of canola oil to a large wok. Heat the oil over medium-high heat until it bubbles.
• Separate the fresh egg noodles into segments, then fry 3 oz until golden brown and crispy. Drain well and set aside.
• Bring a large pot of water to boil and cook the remaining flat egg noodles until soft and cooked through, drain well and set aside.
• Assembly: Add a small handful of cooked egg noodles into the bottom of a large soup bowl. Ladle the Kao Soi curry sauce along with chunks of beef over the noodles. Garnish Chiang Mai Noodle bowl with crispy fried egg noodles, sliced shallots, chopped cilantro, bean sprouts and lime wedges. Serve with soup spoon and chopsticks.

CHICKEN KHAO SOI (THAI COCONUT CURRY NOODLE SOUP)

Steps:

• Add all the curry paste ingredients to a food processor and pulse until you get a smooth paste.
• Heat oil in a large pot over medium high heat. Add 2 tablespoons vegetable oil and stir-fry the chicken until browned. Remove from the pot and set aside. To the fat left in the pot, add the paste. Fry for 3-5 minutes, until fragrant. Add the canned Thai red curry paste, broth, and brown sugar, and bring to a boil.
• Reduce the heat to low. When the broth is at a low simmer, add the coconut milk and fish sauce. Add the chicken back to the broth.
• Meanwhile, cook the noodles according to package instructions.
• To serve, divide the noodles among 4 bowls. Cover with chicken and broth, and garnish with sliced shallots, lime wedges, pickled mustard greens, fried noodles, cilantro, and Thai chili paste.

KHAO SOI SOUP

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a wok or large skillet over medium heat; cook and stir chopped shallots and garlic until garlic starts to turn golden, 2 to 4 minutes. Add red curry paste and curry powder; cook and stir until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Add coconut milk, water, chicken, and sea salt; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium low and simmer soup.
• Mix fish sauce, sugar, and lime juice into soup and simmer until heated through, about 10 minutes more.
• Heat 1/2 cup oil in a skillet over medium-high heat; fry Thai chile peppers until browned, 2 to 4 minutes. Transfer chile peppers to soup, reserving oil in skillet. Fry quartered shallots and bok choy in hot oil until browned, 2 to 4 minutes; transfer to soup and reserve oil in skillet.
• Place noodles in a large bowl and cover with hot water. Set aside until noodles are softened, about 15 minutes. Drain and rinse thoroughly. Add 3/4 of the noodles to the soup. Fry the remaining rice noodles in the hot oil until crisp, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Divide soup among 6 bowls and top with fried noodles, pickled cabbage, cilantro, and lime wedges.

CHIANG MAI CURRIED NOODLES (KHAO SOI GAI)

Steps:

• First, make the pickled chilli & shallots: Put the chilli and shallots in a small bowl and pour the vinegar over. Add some salt and let it sit to pickle while you make the curry.
• In a large saucepan, heat the 1 tbsp vegetable oil. Add the curry paste and turn the heat down to medium. Cook for 5 mins, then add the curry powder and chilli flakes. Cook for 1 min more, then add the coconut milk, coconut cream, stock, fish sauce and lime juice. Bring to a simmer.
• Chop the chicken into pieces and add to the curry. Cook for 15 mins or until tender.
• Boil some water in a large saucepan for the noodles. Meanwhile, heat the vegetable oil in a small wok - it's ready when a small piece of bread sizzles when dropped in. Add 75g of the noodles to the wok in 4 batches until they bubble up and go crispy. Use a wire mesh ladle or slotted spoon to remove them and drain on kitchen paper.
• Boil the remaining noodles for 2-3 mins until al dente, then drain. Divide the noodles between 4 bowls. Pour the curry over each and top with coriander, beansprouts, some drained pickled chilli & shallots, spring onions and a drizzle of chilli oil. Top with the crisp noodles and devour while it's hot.

KHAO SOI GAI (NORTHERN THAI COCONUT-CURRY NOODLES WITH CHICKEN)

Steps:

• Make the curry paste: Bring 1/4 cup of water to a boil in a small saucepan. Add the dried chiles and makrut lime leaves (if using) to a small bowl; pour the boiling water on top and let steep for 10 minutes.
• While the mixture steeps, separate the cilantro leaves from the stems; set leaves and any tender stems aside for garnish. Roughly chop cilantro stems and add to a small food processor (or the bowl of a large mortar and pestle) along with the shallots, turmeric, lemongrass, ginger, garlic, curry powder, shrimp paste (if using) and lime zest.
• Add the soaked chile mixture (including its liquid) and process (or crush with a pestle) until curry paste is smooth, scraping down sides of bowl as needed, about 10 minutes for either method. Curry paste can be made up to 2 weeks ahead; store in a covered container in the refrigerator.
• Prepare the fried noodles: In a medium (2-quart) saucepan, bring 3 cups neutral oil to 325 degrees over medium-high heat. Add 4 ounces noodles and fry, flipping once or twice, until light brown, 30 to 60 seconds. Using a slotted spoon, transfer noodles to a paper towel-lined plate; set aside until ready to serve. Cool, strain and store remaining oil in a covered jar for another use.
• Heat a large Dutch oven or pot over medium. Add about 1/4 cup coconut cream, scraped from the top of one of the cans of coconut milk, to the pot and let it melt, about 10 seconds. Add at least half of the curry paste - or more, for a more pungent khao soi - and stir until deeply fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add 1 1/2 cups chicken broth and the remaining coconut milk, and increase heat to medium-high. Bring mixture just to a low boil, about 3 minutes.
• Use 1 tablespoon salt to season drumsticks, then add them to the boiling curry mixture. Cover, and let simmer until chicken is cooked through, 20 to 30 minutes. Uncover, lower heat, and add remaining 1/2 cup chicken stock along with 1 cup water. (It should be more like soup than stew.) Season to taste with fish sauce, sugar and salt. Turn heat to very low, and cover to keep warm.
• Meanwhile, bring 4 quarts water to a boil in a large pot. Add 2 teaspoons salt and remaining 12 ounces noodles. Cook until al dente. Drain and portion into four bowls. Add 2 drumsticks to each bowl, and about 2 cups curry broth. Garnish with fried noodles, pickled mustard greens, sliced shallots, chile paste or oil, reserved cilantro leaves and lime wedges. Serve immediately.