Fry the khao soi paste in the thick cream skimmed off the top of the coconut milk until the oil splits out red and it smells toasted before you add any broth.
By Vince Gonzalez · Published July 2026 · Sourcing verified 5 Jul 2026
Prep25 min
Cook45 min
Makes4 bowls
CuisineThai
Cost$$
Dairy-free
Contains eggs · gluten · fish
Make it gluten-free: swap in a gluten-free pasta or noodle (check the other labels too).
Spoon the thick cream off the top of the coconut cans into a pot. Simmer until it splits and the oil rises, then fry the curry paste in that oil until dark and fragrant.8 min
Add chicken thighs, turn to coat in the paste, then pour in the rest of the coconut milk and the stock. Season with fish sauce and palm sugar.5 min
Simmer gently until the chicken is tender and the broth has a red oil slick on top.30 min
Meanwhile, fry a handful of the egg noodles in hot oil until crisp and golden, then drain on paper.6 min
Boil the remaining egg noodles until just soft, drain, and divide among bowls.3 min
Ladle broth and chicken over the noodles, top with a crisp noodle nest, and serve with pickled greens, sliced shallot, and lime.3 min
Can you make Khao Soi Gai in an air fryer? — Yes, with an insert
Not on its own — an air fryer can’t hold a pool of liquid. You can simmer it in an oven-safe dish or a silicone insert made to fit the basket, but the broth won’t reduce or brown the way it does on the stove, and that insert comes out scorching, so use oven mitts. For real depth, a pot on the stove wins.
Can you freeze Khao Soi Gai? — Yes
Yes — it freezes well. Cool it fully, portion into airtight containers, and it keeps a few months; thaw in the fridge and reheat gently.
Can you make Khao Soi Gai ahead of time? — Yes
Yes — it holds well and often tastes better the next day. Make it ahead and reheat gently before serving.
Is Khao Soi Gai gluten-free? — Not as written
Not as written — it contains gluten. Make it gluten-free: swap in a gluten-free pasta or noodle (check the other labels too).
Is Khao Soi Gai vegan? — No
No — it contains meat, so it isn’t vegetarian or vegan.
Community Notes
Cooked it? Changed something that worked? Leave a note for the next person — first-name basis, no account.
Open data. Every maker on this site is published as a free dataset under CC BY 4.0 — use it in anything, commercial or not, as long as you credit 5best2buy. Browse the datasets →