Chiang Mai Khao Soi: Nimman vs. Mae Sai Michelin Review

Exploring Northern Thai Cuisine in Chiang Mai

Khao Soi Nimman vs. Mae Sai: A Comparison

© Text/Photos by Bamboo

80% of a trip to Chiang Mai is a foodie adventure, right?

Especially, you'll discover many Northern Thai dishes

that you might not have seen in other parts of Thailand.

One of those dishes is <Khao Soi>.

Chiang Mai's Best Khao Soi Spots

Khao Soi is such a common local dish in Chiang Mai

that you'll find it on almost every street corner.

But since you're already traveling, you might as well eat at the delicious and famous spots, right!

That's why I decided to try and compare both Khao Soi Mae Sai and Khao Soi Nimman,

which are considered the TOP2 in Chiang Mai's Nimman area.

One bowl of noodles in Chiang Mai is typically a smaller portion

compared to a standard single serving for Koreans,

so you can easily compare two different types in one meal!

Both are local gems awarded Michelin Bib Gourmand!

Here's a quick comparison,

and I'll share my overall review at the end.

1. Khao Soi Nimman

Khao Soi Nimman, located in the heart of Nimmanhaemin,

offered fantastic accessibility.

The donuts sold right in front are delicious too!

To avoid the lunch rush, I went around 1 PM

and only had to wait about 5 minutes to get in.

Compared to Mae Sai, the exterior and interior

are quite aesthetic and charming.

You can also spot the Michelin mark as you enter.

Seating is divided into indoor and outdoor areas,

and naturally, there's no air conditioning outside.

However, powerful fans were running,

and there was a general coolness from the inside,

making it quite comfortable compared to other local restaurants.

For comparison, the original is the golden rule,

so I ordered the chicken Khao Soi.

Here, the broth is on the richer side,

with a generous portion of crispy fried egg noodles!

The noodles were deliciously soft and tender,

a flavor that appeals to everyone.

It does lean a bit towards the sweeter side.

(Take it from someone who’s savored over 50 bowls of Khao Soi!)

The chicken was tender, and the crispy fried egg noodles

soaked up all that delicious broth until the bowl was empty!

It was absolutely delicious!

Now, let's head over to Mae Sai.

To briefly reset my palate,

I grabbed a refreshing wax apple.

If you go to Chiang Mai, don't just stick to mangoes for tropical fruit!

Try sugar-apples, wax apples, red dragon fruit, longans, and more!

Experience a variety of them – they're all absolutely delicious!

2. Khao Soi Mae Sai

About a 10-minute walk from Khao Soi Nimman,

I arrived at Khao Soi Mae Sai, having walked off my previous meal.

There's always a long waiting line here.

It's an outdoor restaurant, so it can get a bit hot while waiting,

but if the wait is really long, I recommend checking out the cafe next door.

Perhaps because of the heat(?), the turnover rate is quite fast.

Despite the long line, I got in pretty quickly.

Similarly, you can spot the Michelin mark here too.

Again, I ordered the most basic chicken Khao Soi.

I'm comparing them with the same menu item.

Mae Sai was definitely cheaper in price,

but the difference was only about ~$1,

so if you consider the air conditioning or ambiance, it probably evens out.

The broth here had a clearer feel to it,

and it had a spicy kick.

It wasn't without coconut aroma, but it was remarkably savory!

The egg noodles were a bit thicker,

but the tenderness was similar.

As expected, I polished off every last drop.

My Personal Verdict

For Khao Soi flavor itself, Khao Soi Mae Sai wins!⭐️

If I had to eat one more bowl, I'd probably choose Mae Sai.

However, both places are universally appealing,

and serve styles that are sure to delight anyone.

So, experiencing both bowls, like I did, might be a great idea!

If you dislike the heat or are traveling with family,

visiting Khao Soi Nimman would still be

more than enough to experience Chiang Mai's Northern Thai cuisine.

Chiang Mai Travel Tips

🔗 Authentic Chiang Mai Michelin Local Food Tour

They're often not open on certain days, so be sure to check the schedule in advance!

Chiang Mai Michelin Guide Food Walking Tour - Klook3ha.in

🔗 Book Chiang Mai's Top 10 Popular Massages at a Discount

It was even more convenient because I didn't have to book by phone!

Chiang Mai Thailand Massage Products Best 10 for 20263ha.in

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