A Taste of Thailand in Williamsburg
Over the holidays, I had the opportunity to visit the beautiful and vibrant country that is Thailand. I got to experience Thailand’s culture, landmarks, and most importantly for me, their food! When I visited Chiang Mai, I learned that their regional dish is Khao Soi, a spicy-sweet coconut curry noodle soup with chicken, that is topped with crunchy fried noodles. As soon as I heard “noodles on noodles” I knew I had to try it! The origin of this dish is inspired by the Chinese-Muslim spice traders who worked in the area that was controlled by the Burmese, which is now Northern Thailand. Khao Soi was originally a halal dish, which is why it is usually made with chicken instead of pork.
Before even trying the dish at the Rachamankha Hotel Restaurant, I was immediately impressed by the decorative plates, and the four small bowls placed on each corner of the tray to customize the Khao Soi perfectly to each individual diner’s taste. The four small bowls contained chili paste to make the dish spicier, sugar to make the dish sweeter, sliced limes to give the dish more acidity, and chopped red onions and peppers to add crunch. I wanted to try the Khao Soi on its own, without adding or adjusting anything. From the very first bite, I knew it needed nothing more. This Khao Soi was spicy, sweet, chewy, crunchy, and comforting. Every element of this dish was cooked perfectly, from the chicken to the curry, to the noodles both in the soup and garnished on top.
Upon arriving back home in New York City, I asked myself what the most memorable dish I had in Thailand was, and the one that stuck out to me was the Khao Soi. I made it my mission to try a Khao Soi in NYC with the taste of the authentic meal still fresh in my mind. Before leaving for Thailand, my partner and I had ordered takeout from a restaurant near us in Williamsburg, Brooklyn called Nora Thai. Nora Thai is known for their ornate decor and impressive buzz from reputable institutions such as the New York Times and the Michelin Guide. Nora Thai is located on North 9th St, just off of Bedford Avenue. The restaurant lives up to the reputation of its beautiful space. It is the perfect neighborhood date spot. The romantic mood is set with dim lighting, and there is a loveseat across from the bar near the entrance practically begging couples to cuddle up on it. We picked up our order and went home to inspect and critique the Khao Soi.
When you order this Khao Soi for takeout, it becomes somewhat of a DIY/build-it-yourself meal, which I loved, as it reminded me of the customizability of the original Khao Soi I tried. The broth/curry and noodles were separated, and I arranged the Khao Soi into a bowl in a way that looked most like the original. Trying this Khao Soi so shortly after coming back from vacation had its pros and cons.
While I am glad I tried it, I realize that nothing in the USA or elsewhere will ever live up to the standard of my first bite of Khao Soi in Chiang Mai. However, eating this Khao Soi in my kitchen in Brooklyn was an incredible experience in itself. The most prominent difference I noticed between the Khao Soi in Thailand versus the US was the freshness of the ingredients. The Khao Soi in Thailand tasted fresher and brighter. The chicken element of the Khao Soi in Thailand was perfectly cooked, moist, and very fresh tasting. While the chicken in Nora Thai’s Khao Soi was very well cooked, it did not make the same impression on me.
To me, Khao Soi is a perfect dish with perfectly balanced elements, and being able to enjoy it from home is something I don’t take for granted. Nora Thai’s Khao Soi is the best you’ll get outside of Thailand, but my opinion is subject to change as I try more Thai restaurants in NYC.
The regional dish, Khao Soi, I tried when I visited Chiang Mai, Thailand.