A rich, coconut curry noodle soup from Northern Thailand, topped with crispy fried noodles for contrast.
Khao soi
- 3 tbsp red curry paste
- 1 tbsp curry powder
- 400 ml coconut milk
- 400 ml chicken stock
- 400 g chicken thigh, sliced
- 250 g fresh egg noodles
- oil, for frying a handful of noodles
- 2 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tbsp palm sugar (or brown sugar)
- lime wedges, pickled mustard greens and shallots, to serve
- Fry the curry paste and curry powder in a little oil until fragrant.
- Stir in half the coconut milk and simmer until it splits slightly, about 5 minutes.
- Add the remaining coconut milk, stock and chicken, and simmer until the chicken is cooked through.
- Season with fish sauce and palm sugar.
- Fry a handful of noodles in hot oil until crisp, for the topping.
- Cook the remaining noodles in boiling water, divide between bowls, ladle over the curry, and top with crispy noodles, lime, pickled mustard greens and shallots.
Tips for the best khao soi
- Frying the curry paste properly before adding liquid is what brings out its flavour, do not rush this step.
- The crispy fried noodle topping is what makes khao soi distinctive, do not skip it.
Getting the crispy noodle topping right
Fry the topping noodles separately and add them only at the very last moment before serving, they should stay genuinely crisp against the hot broth rather than softening, which is a key textural contrast in the finished bowl.
Where to buy khao soi paste in the UK
Khao soi paste is harder to find than standard Thai curry pastes, so a Thai grocer or an online order is the more reliable route.
Which aisle is khao soi paste in?
Mainstream UK supermarkets rarely stock khao soi paste specifically, though red curry paste is common in the world food aisle. Thai grocers keep khao soi paste with other curry pastes.
Asian supermarkets
A Thai grocer is the most reliable source, and more likely to stock khao soi paste specifically.
Buying it online
Online is a good option given how specialist this ingredient is, and a jar keeps for a long time.
Storing it
Keep the jar in the fridge once opened, where it keeps for a few months.
Checking against a red curry paste swap
If a shop does not stock khao soi paste, ask about their red curry paste range instead and check the ingredients for curry powder blended in, since that combination is the closest widely available substitute.
Frequently asked questions
Is khao soi very spicy?
Milder than many Thai curries, since the coconut milk mellows the red curry paste considerably.
Can I use a different protein?
Yes, beef or tofu both work well in place of chicken.
Can I use red curry paste instead of khao soi paste?
Yes, mixed with a little extra curry powder, it gets reasonably close to the flavour of proper khao soi paste.
