Khao Soi Khun Yai
Lunch here is a race. The kitchen is a garden shack near Wat Kuan Kama, just in from the old-city moat, and the khao soi runs out most days well before closing time. If you turn up at half one hoping for a leisurely bowl, you may be looking at empty pots and a shrug.
The menu is short, which I take as a good sign. Khao soi with chicken, beef or pork, a few satays, Thai tea. That's it. The coconut curry broth is rich but doesn't swamp the noodles, and the crispy noodle nest on top is fried properly rather than sitting there going soft. Prices are street-stall level for something that beats bowls costing several times as much in air-conditioned dining rooms.
Don't come expecting comfort. You share benches with strangers, you eat, you go. That's the deal, and it's the right deal.
Taste more of Chiang Mai
Street-food tours, market visits, and Thai cooking classes near Khao Soi Khun Yai — a guided way to eat like a local.
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Experience hints
Pair your visit. After Khao Soi Khun Yai, round out your day in Chiang Mai with contrasting stops nearby.
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Doi Suthep Temple
Go at first light, before the tour vans arrive, and the golden chedi and the whole Chiang Mai valley are yours.
Tha Phae Gate
Free, open all hours, and best after dark when the brick gate is lit and the square fills up.
Chiang Mai Night Bazaar
Get there around 7pm, before the crowds land, and browse the whole stretch before you buy anything.
Khao Soi Khun Yai: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Khao Soi Khun Yai worth visiting?
Khao Soi Khun Yai holds a 4.6★ rating from 2,931 Google reviews, placing it among the highest-rated restaurants & food in Chiang Mai.
What are the opening hours of Khao Soi Khun Yai?
Khao Soi Khun Yai is typically open 10:00-14:00 — see the full day-by-day schedule in the location info on this page. Hours can change on Thai public holidays, so check ahead for holiday visits.
When is the best time to visit Khao Soi Khun Yai?
The best months to visit Chiang Mai are November – February, with the most reliable weather. Crowds peak in December – January & Songkran (April) — going early in the day usually means fewer people. Months to think twice about: March – May (smoke & heat).
Where is Khao Soi Khun Yai located?
Khao Soi Khun Yai is at QXWM+47J, Soi Sri Poom 8 Old City Tambon Si Phum, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, in Chiang Mai. Getting around Chiang Mai: Red songthaews (shared pick-up trucks); Grab (available in city centre).
Location Info
QXWM+47J, Soi Sri Poom 8 Old City Tambon Si Phum, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai090 651 7088Visitor Information
Best time to visit
November – February
Avoid: March – May (smoke & heat)
Rainy season
June – October
Avg. temperature
15°C – 36°C(59°F – 97°F)
Crowds
Peak: December – January & Songkran (April)
Getting there
Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) has direct flights from Bangkok (1 hr), Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur. Overnight sleeper trains from Bangkok take ~12 hrs.
Getting around
- •Red songthaews (shared pick-up trucks)
- •Grab (available in city centre)
- •Motorbike rental (฿150–250/day)
- •Tuk-tuks (negotiate price first)
Where to stay near Khao Soi Khun Yai
Find hotels in Chiang Mai on the booking sites travellers trust most.
- Compare prices across sites
- Filter for free cancellation
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Member prices
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Tips for Visiting Restaurants & Food
Learn the Spice Scale
Say 'mai pet' for no spice, 'pet nit noi' for a little spice, or 'pet mak' if you want it Thai-hot. Most cooks will default to a toned-down version for foreigners unless you specify otherwise.
Follow the Crowds
The busiest street stalls are almost always the best — high turnover means fresh ingredients and a recipe that locals vouch for. An empty restaurant at dinner time is a red flag.
Ice Is Safe
Factory-made tube or cylinder ice (used in virtually all restaurants and stalls) is made from purified water and is safe to consume. You don't need to skip the iced Thai tea.
Nearby Places
Reform Kafé - Vegan Garden Restaurant
A leafy vegan garden near the moat where lunch turns into two hours without you noticing.
Baan Khun Nine Kitchen
A well-regarded neighborhood dinner spot in Chiang Mai's Si Phum district, open evenings daily.
Suki Changphuak
Thai-style suki done cheap and fast, from 5pm to midnight, at a no-frills open-air stand.
Fern Forest Cafe
A shaded garden of ferns and tall trees in the old city, with milkshakes worth the queue.
Similar Restaurants & Food Across Thailand
Kodtalay The Riverfront Seafood Buffet
Open-air seafood buffet on the Chao Phraya from 599 baht, and the river seats are worth asking for.
Central Pattaya
A big air-conditioned mall on Beach Road where the food court does the heavy lifting.
The Village Farm To Café
Looks like nothing from the highway, then opens up into green fields, high ceilings and properly fresh food.
Kodtalay Seafood Buffet Sukhumvit
Live river prawns from the tank, grilled at your table, and no clock ticking on how long you stay.
Where to stay near Khao Soi Khun Yai
Find hotels in Chiang Mai on the booking sites travellers trust most.
- Compare prices across sites
- Filter for free cancellation
- Secure checkout on the partner site
Compare rates on Booking.com
Largest selection
Compare rates on Expedia
Bundle & save
Compare rates on Hotels.com
Member prices
We may earn a commission from bookings made through these links — at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
Location Info
Visitor Information
Best time to visit
November – February
Avoid: March – May (smoke & heat)
Rainy season
June – October
Avg. temperature
15°C – 36°C(59°F – 97°F)
Crowds
Peak: December – January & Songkran (April)
Getting there
Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) has direct flights from Bangkok (1 hr), Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur. Overnight sleeper trains from Bangkok take ~12 hrs.
Getting around
- •Red songthaews (shared pick-up trucks)
- •Grab (available in city centre)
- •Motorbike rental (฿150–250/day)
- •Tuk-tuks (negotiate price first)