Khao Soi Khun Yai, Thai restaurant in Sri Wichai, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Khao Soi Khun Yai is a small Thai restaurant in the Sri Wichai area of Chiang Mai, set in an open-air shelter between two temples. The entrance sits behind a rusty gate along Sri Poom Road and is marked by an orange sign.
The restaurant was founded to pass on traditional Khao Soi recipes from northern Thai cooking, handed down through generations within the family. It gained a following among locals early on and gradually attracted visitors looking for food rooted in regional tradition.
The dish itself reflects how northern Thai cooking differs from central Thai cuisine, with a curry broth that leans more on herbs than on coconut milk. A set of fresh condiments arrives alongside each bowl, including lime wedges, pickled mustard greens, shallots, and roasted chili paste, letting each person adjust the flavors to their liking.
The restaurant opens in the morning and closes in the early afternoon, so a midday visit is the most reliable option. It fills up quickly at lunchtime, so arriving early gives you a better chance of finding a seat without waiting.
Unlike many places that serve Khao Soi with a whole bone-in drumstick, this restaurant cuts the chicken into smaller boneless pieces, which makes eating easier with a spoon. The noodles here are also thinner and rounder than the wide yellow noodles found at most other spots serving this dish.
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