Whether from traveling to Thailand or watching street food videos, people around the world are excited to try Thailand’s rich khao soi curry. This hearty northern Thai dish wins people over by being full of tender stewed meat, aromas from the spices in the curry, and a colorful array of condiments.
We wanted to recreate this recipe in the tradition of Thai street food in Chiang Mai. Our strongest clues for how khao soi was eaten in the past come from the 40 year old flavors you can taste at the restaurant Khao Soi Islam in downtown Chiang Mai. The taste is a sharp contradiction to the extra sweet and salty versions many restaurants, and thus many online recipes promote today.
So here’s our method for the old school version. When you come to Bangkok, be sure to join a cooking class where you can learn to make this yourself. You’ll see in the video, we even pounded the curry in a granite mortar and pestle, this is the same Thai grandma elbow grease method we teach you in the class! Happy eating and remember you can help us feed and train more students by making a donation today!
Khao Soi Curry Recipe
Prep time: 1 hour
Cook time: 45 mins
Yields: 6 Servings, Feeds 3-4 People
INGREDIENTS
For the Curry Paste:
- 8 to 10 dried Thai chili peppers soaked in water overnight
- 5-6 garlic cloves
- 3 kaffir lime leaves
- 3 medium shallots, halved
- One 2-inch piece ginger, peeled and thinly sliced (⅓ cup sliced ginger)
- One 2-inch piece fresh turmeric, peeled and thinly sliced
- ¼ cup chopped coriander root or 2 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro stems
- 2 tablespoons sliced lemongrass (½ lemongrass stalk)
- 1 tablespoon shrimp paste, toasted in foil
- 1½ teaspoons toasted coriander seeds
- 1½ teaspoons toasted cardamom pods, seeds removed and husks discarded
For the Chicken Rub (Marinade):
- 1 tablespoon curry powder
- 1 tablespoon garam masala
- 1 tsp sea salt
To Assemble Your Khao Soi Noodles:
- 3 cups coconut milk, divided
- Curry paste
- 3 cups water
- 1½ pounds chicken legs, drumsticks and thighs separated (4 legs, 8 pieces total)
- 1 ½ cups oil (I prefer coconut or any high heat oil for frying)
- 16 ounces thick egg noodles
- 2 tablespoons palm sugar
- Salt to taste or fish sauce
- Cilantro sprigs, pickled mustard greens, shallots, chili oil and lime wedges, for serving
Directions:
1. Wash and dry chicken. Marinate with dry rub and set aside. (Can do this overnight)
2. Make the curry paste: Place the dried chiles in a heatproof bowl. Cover with boiling water and let soak until softened, 20 minutes, or soak overnight in cold water. Drain the chiles, reserving the soaking liquid.
3. Toast dry spices in a hot pan until darkened, no oil needed, remove from heat and set aside. Toast remaining paste ingredients until they have a slight char or smoky aroma. Toast shrimp paste in a small foil packet. Remove from heat and put all ingredients in your mortar or blender.
3. In a mortar, pound garlic, kaffir lime leaves, shallots, ginger, turmeric, coriander root (or cilantro stems), lemongrass, shrimp paste, curry powder, coriander seeds, cardamom seeds, and 2 to 4 tablespoons of coconut milk or the chili soaking liquid (as needed) to make a paste. Makes about 1¼ cups.
4. Make the soup: In a large heavy pot, heat 1 cup of the coconut milk over medium-high heat. When the coconut milk begins to simmer, add the curry paste and cook, stirring constantly, until the liquid has thickened and reduced, 5-10 minutes. The oils should start to bubble and separate. Add the marinated chicken, browning a little on both sides. Add the water or chicken stock (covering chicken completely) and bring to a boil. reduce the heat to medium low and simmer until the chicken is cooked through and tender, 40 to 45 minutes.
5. Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Working in 2 batches, fry 4 ounces of egg noodles until golden brown and crisp, about 1 minute. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and set aside.
6. Cook the egg noodles one batch at a time, prepare one pot of boiling water and one ice bath for a 3 step process:
- Slightly rinse noodles under cold water to remove excess flour.
- Submerge into rapid boiling water, just to soften, about 30-40 seconds, remove immediately (too long and they will become gummy and inedible)
- Transfer the noodles immediately from boiling pot to ice bath. This will stop the cooking, retain color and help firm them. Remove after 30 seconds, and place in bowl.
6. Stir the palm sugar into the soup. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt or fish sauce. Place noodles and soup among 6 bowls. Lightly drizzle coconut milk over top of soup, (don’t stir!) and serve with cilantro, pickled mustard greens, shallots, fried chili oil and lime wedges.
Special thanks to our friends at Spoon Fork Heart for inviting us to participate in their International Chicken Collaboration Series. If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider donation to Courageous Kitchen to help up provide more cooking classes and education to children in need!
Each week Courageous Kitchen provides fun, education instruction to at risk students. This instruction includes English language learning, cooking classes, and special outings. You can donate any amount, but if you’re unsure here are some suggestions:
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$30 = sponsor a meal for an entire class
$100 = sponsor a full day of instruction
$400+ = sponsor a month or more of Courageous learning
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