While I’m on the subject of classic Thai dishes, when in Chiang Rai last week I headed straight for a khao soi shop. This comforting noodle soup is one of my favourties which I used to enjoy several times a week when I lived in the north. Alas, good khao soi shops in Bangkok are hard to find.

The dish is a rich curry soup containing chicken ladled over a nest of egg noodles and topped with crispy noodles. Condiments include pickled cabbage, lime, red onion and nahm prik pao, roasted chilli paste.

Unlike the green curry, I’ve never actually attempted to make khao soi but must give it a go sometime. Head further north from Chiang Rai to Mae Sai and you can hunt out khao furn, a delicious Tai Yai dish that hails from Kengtung in the the Shan State, Myanmar. More on that and images to drool over, tomorrow.