Khao Soi-Inspired Coconut Curry Noodle Soup with Green Papaya Salad

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A fragrant Northern Thai coconut curry noodle soup paired with a refreshing green papaya salad that balances spice and tang. This thai-inspired soups ready in about 45 minutes pairs egg noodles, coconut milk, chicken broth for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Thai cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add 8 oz egg noodles and cook for 4-5 minutes until just tender, then drain and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In a large pot, heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 3 tbsp red curry paste, sauté for 2 minutes until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 lb chicken thighs cut into bite-size pieces and cook for 5 minutes until no longer pink.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 2 cups coconut milk, 3 cups chicken broth, 1 tbsp yellow curry powder, 2 tbsp fish sauce, and 1 tbsp brown sugar. Bring to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes until chicken is tender and broth is aromatic.
  5. Step 5: While soup simmers, prepare the green papaya salad: Combine 2 cups shredded green papaya, 1 cup shredded carrots, 2 thinly sliced shallots, 1/2 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 2 tbsp lime juice, and 1 tsp red chili flakes (if using). Toss well.
  6. Step 6: Add 1/2 cup halved sugar snap peas to the soup and simmer for 3 more minutes.
  7. Step 7: To serve, place a portion of noodles in each bowl, ladle the hot curry broth and chicken over the noodles, then top with chopped 1/4 cup roasted peanuts and 1/4 cup cilantro leaves. Serve green papaya salad alongside.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Khao Soi-Inspired Coconut Curry Noodle Soup with Green Papaya Salad take to make?

Total time is about 45 minutes (20 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Khao Soi-Inspired Coconut Curry Noodle Soup with Green Papaya Salad?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep egg noodles from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Khao Soi-Inspired Coconut Curry Noodle Soup with Green Papaya Salad?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Khao Soi-Inspired Coconut Curry Noodle Soup with Green Papaya Salad for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Khao Soi-Inspired Coconut Curry Noodle Soup with Green Papaya Salad?

Thai soups like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.