Northern Thailand’s specialty: Curry Noodles with a clash of textures from fried and boiled noodles

Text and photos byXiao Sheng

Khao Soi, or Northern Thai curry noodles, is made with a unique yellow curry and two different types of noodles. It’s one of the most distinctive snacks exclusive to northern Thailand. That’s why when I brought friends to Chiang Mai recently, I always said "Visiting Chiang Mai without trying curry noodles is like not visiting Chiang Mai at all." This time, I’m introducing this iconic Chiang Mai dish—Northern Thai curry noodles.

Northern Thai curry noodles are a must-try snack every time I visit Chiang Mai, and my favorite is from Mae Sai Khao Soi—I almost always go back there for a hearty meal. But after going so many times, I suddenly wondered if there were other good curry noodle spots in Chiang Mai. I flipped through a travel guide and found recommendations for several great options, so I decided to follow the leads and visit Lamdoun Fahrm Khao Soi.

Lamdoun Fahrm Khao Soi is located just outside the northeast corner of Chiang Mai’s Old City, along Charoen Rat Rd. by the Ping River. Since I don’t have the exact address handy, I can only give an approximate location: walk straight north along that road, pass Kaeo Nawarat Rd., and after about 1.1 km, you’ll see the shop prominently on your right. Though it’s not inside the Old City, it’s not too far by motorbike. Plus, besides the signature Northern Thai curry noodles, they also serve a variety of other authentic local snacks.

I expected the place to be quiet since it’s a bit off the beaten path, but it turned out to be quite large, and there were quite a few customers when I arrived. By the time I finished eating, most people had left, though there were still some diners—mostly locals. It’s an area that rarely sees tourists.

Thai Iced Tea (30B): No matter where I go, I always have to try the authentic Thai iced tea. Especially during the hot month of March in Chiang Mai, its sweet and rich flavor makes it my favorite local drink.

Authentic Khao Soi is made with a curry base and features two different types of noodles—one is yellow egg noodles, and the other is deep-fried egg noodles. The contrast in textures between these two noodles, paired with the flavor of yellow curry, creates a taste that’s truly unique to Northern Thailand.

Curry noodle dishes usually don’t come with many toppings, but Mae Sai serves a generous chicken thigh, which is already quite satisfying. While this place doesn’t offer a big chicken leg, they still give you two drumsticks—which is pretty decent and quite rare for Northern Thai curry noodles.

Other side ingredients served with the curry noodles include lemon, pickled mustard greens, and small onions. These mainly help balance the richness of the curry, but honestly, the flavor of Northern Thai curry noodles is already quite bold, so I feel these additions are optional. However, locals love mixing everything together while eating.

The curry in this version is also excellent—the broth is rich, the aroma of the curry is strong, and it has a mild level of spiciness that adds to its appeal. The two types of noodles soak up the sauce, creating a uniquely delicious bite that makes you finish the bowl and soup in no time. The portion isn’t huge, which might be why it disappears so quickly.

Satay: After finishing the curry noodles, I was either still pretty hungry or the portion was just too small, leaving me feeling a bit unsatisfied. Glancing over at other tables, I noticed that almost everyone had ordered satay, so my cravings got the better of me, and I ordered a serving to try.

The star of the satay is its signature dipping sauce. Along with the sauce, the restaurant also provides sliced cucumbers, which help cut through the richness and prevent the dish from feeling too heavy.

The pork satay tastes pretty good—the meat is tender and firm, with a slightly fatty edge that adds a nice touch without being greasy. The salty-sweet peanut sauce complements the satay perfectly, and the cucumber slices provide a refreshing contrast. Overall, I really enjoyed the satay here.

This spot for Northern Thai curry noodles, located just outside the northeast corner of Chiang Mai’s Old City, has its own unique charm. Not only are the curry noodles amazing, but the satay is also great. I’ve now found another top-notch curry noodle place to enjoy on future trips to Chiang Mai.

Lamdoun Fahrm Khao Soi
Add : Charoen Rat Rd., Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai
 

Xiao Sheng’s Wandering Journey
Every journey, every trip, is a search—for something I’m not even entirely sure of. But in the end, what I gain often exceeds my expectations. And so, my wandering journey will continue endlessly.