Khao Soi is Chiang Mai’s signature noodles. I have reviewed several joints. But there are also other types of noodle shops in town. In this review I will share my experience with those included in Thailand 2020 Michelin Guide. One is really superb.
Guay Jub Chang Moi Tat Mai
99/11-12 Chang Moi Tat Mai Road, Mueang Chiang Mai.
Guay Jub Chang Moi Tat Mai occupies a fairly large diner in a backstreet among hardware stores. You have a choice of fillings for the noodles. I chose the Northern Sausage (that came in the plain version) and tofu. The friendly owner was sorry that the crispy pork belly was finished (it must be their best seller). What impressed me was the herbal flavor of the soup that for a moment reminded me of a Vietnamese pho. Price: 60 THB (less than 2 USD).
Rote Yiam Beef Noodles
164/4 Chang Khlan Road, Mueang Chiang Mai.
This diner, located almost across the Shangri-La hotel, claims to serve top quality beef. You can choose a bowl with one topping or mix several. They have beef balls, sliced beef, stewed beef, and more exotic parts such as tendon, liver, heart, tongue, spleen, and intestine. Then you can choose the type of noodle: flat rice noodle, thin, or vermicelli. I had a bowl with vermicelli rice noodles with beef balls and stewed beef. I was not particularly impressed. Price from 50 to 100 THB depending on size and number of toppings.
Thana Ocha
Thana Ocha is a diner serving Hakka-style noodles and other Chinese dishes. The bowl comes with a cornucopia of ingredients: fried wonton, fish balls, sausage, blood. Honestly, I could not finish them… many things did not click with my Western palate. I also had the spring rolls, very fresh and juicy. For the two dishes I spent 90 THB (less than 3 USD).
Sanpakoi Kanomjeen
Soi Thasatoi, Mueang Chiang Mai.
Sanpakoi Kanomjeen is a popular stall in the food court of a local market. Open only after 3pm till late, it is the star of the place. Lines will form often. It serves fermented vermicelli noodles with various curries and fillings. I tried the vegetarian one and the bowl with chicken and vegetables (the chicken was not great but the zucchini were great). They have a self-service station where you can add herbs, vegetables, and other condiments at your leisure. Overall quite good. A bowl was 40 THB.
Guay Tiew Pet Tun Saraphi
80 Moo 3, Liap Thang Rotfai Road, Saraphi.
This is a road side diner 15 kilometers from Chiang Mai’s Old City serving duck noodles. This was my favorite. The duck meat was exquisitely stewed and seasoned and the soup was thick and flavorful. Worth the detour, even if the car to go and come back cost me almost 20 times the bowl of noodles (40 THB), a personal record.
Racharos
Closed.
Racharos used to be a DIY noodle shop in Nimman. You could choose among a long list of ingredients, including wagyu beef. It was out of business during my time in Chiang Mai in early 2020, but the store had not been replaced yet.
