Giant Lobster Khao Soi in Chiang Mai, Thailand (Khao Sō-i)

Lobster Khao Soi

by Khao Sō-i, Chiang Mai, Thailand

On a recent trip to Chiang Mai, Thailand, there was only one thing on my mind: khao soi, one of my all-time favorite Thai dishes. Before even checking in at the hotel, my wife and I took a taxi directly from the airport to one of the city's most famous up-and-coming khao soi restaurants.

The food at Khao Sō-i is special. It's a luxurious and exotic twist on the classic bowl of chicken curry noodle soup with many unexpected varieties on the menu. I mean, just look at this bowl of lobster khao soi!

lobster khao soi in Chiang Mai, Thailand
lobster khao soi in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Khao soi is sort of the "national dish" of northern Thailand. Recently named "The Best Soup in the World" by Taste Atlas, beating out 99 other national dishes, khao soi is a creamy, curry-based noodle soup. It is traditionally made with a fragrant coconut milk and curry broth, tender braised chicken, and a bed of soft egg noodles, topped with crispy fried noodles for added texture. 

The dish is traditionally garnished with pickled mustard greens, shallots, lime wedges, and chili oil. Owing to the northern Thailand's centuries-long occupation by Burma, khao soi is a fusion of Thai and Burmese culinary traditions, reflecting the region's diverse history and cultural influences. It's a comforting, aromatic dish that is one of my favorite Thai foods.

Khao So-i, a Japanese-inspired northern Thai fusion restaurant in Chiang Mai
Khao So-i, a Japanese-inspired northern Thai fusion restaurant in Chiang Mai

The restaurant, built in a Japanese-style garden, elevates the simple, hearty bowl of curry noodles by introducing premium ingredients and unconventional presentations. 

Khao Sō-i is a Japanese-inspired khao soi restaurant in Chiang Mai
Khao Sō-i is a Japanese-inspired khao soi restaurant in Chiang Mai

We started by ordering something to drink. My wife ordered a glass of iced chrysanthemum tea (left). The tea had a mildly sweet herbal flavor and was really refreshing on a hot Thai afternoon. I ordered a glass of iced butterfly pea flower tea (right). The tea is originally a dark shade of indigo blue, but as soon as you squeeze a bit of citrus into it, the color transforms into a strong, rich purple. Butterfly pea tea is a popular herbal drink in Southeast Asia, known not only for its striking color change but also for its subtle, earthy flavor with a hint of floral notes. It has a naturally mild taste, slightly reminiscent of green tea but without the bitterness. Both drinks were perfect herbal accompaniments to our lunch.

iced chrysanthemum tea (left) and butterfly pea tea (right)
iced chrysanthemum tea (left) and butterfly pea tea (right)

We started out by sharing an order of khao soi gyoza (Japanese-style steamed wontons stuffed with pork and khao soi spices). The gyoza were served with a spicy dipping sauce. The pork inside the soft, steamed wontons was tender and deliciously flavored with mild curry spices. If you don't like spicy food, skip the dipping sauce. Khao soi is not a traditionally spicy dish. I enjoyed the sauce, but the wontons were perfect on their own.

fusion khao soi gyoza
fusion khao soi gyoza

My wife ordered a plate of deconstructed "dry" khao soi noodles with grilled chicken. Instead of being served in a bowl of curry soup, each element of the khao soi - soft, chewy egg noodles, fried hot chili, purple and green onion, pickled mustard greens, lime, curry sauce, and crispy fried khao soi egg noodles were served alongside the tender grilled meat.

grilled pork neck dry khao soi noodles in Chiang Mai, Thailand
grilled pork neck dry khao soi noodles in Chiang Mai, Thailand

After mixing up all of the ingredients, you can eat this dish one bit at a time. I had never seen dry khao soi before. The dish is almost always served with its iconic curry soup, but eating the elements mixed together with just a small cup of curry as a sort of sauce allowed each individual flavor to stand out.

dry khao soi noodles mixed up to eat
dry khao soi noodles mixed up to eat

I ordered the famous lobster khao soi, one of the shop's signatures. This dish is the reason that I was so excited to come to eat at this restaurant! It featured a bowl of traditional and delicious, warming khao soi noodle soup topped with an entire juicy and meaty lobster tail topped with ebiko (Japanese shrimp eggs). The lobster was toasted by the chef himself with a blowtorch at the table right in front of me!

The shrimp was super juicy, tender, and sweet. While northern Thailand isn't necessarily known for its seafood, the surprising mix of the curry and lobster (the dish traditionally is made with stewed chicken) melded super well together.

I'd like to explore more of Khao Sō-i's menu next time I'm up north.

a huge lobster tail in a bowl of Thai khao soi
a huge lobster tail in a bowl of Thai khao soi

A surprisingly delicious fusion khao soi from an unexpected place:
Thai-Swedish Fusion Meatball Khao Soi at IKEA, Bangkok

Location

The original Khao So-i is located at 430 4 ถนน เจริญราษฎร์ Fa Ham, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50000. They recently opened a second branch in Bangkok on Soi Convent at 14/2-3 Convent Rd, Si Lom, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500. However, if you are in Chiang Mai and have the chance to visit the original, I recommend that you do!

Comments