Where to Find the Best Khao Soi Near Our Shop (The Definitive Staff Vote)
February 18, 2026
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In the breakroom of HazeBuds Cannabis Dispensary, there are only two topics that can start a shouting match.
The first is: Indica vs. Sativa. The second, and far more dangerous topic, is: Who makes the best Khao Soi in Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai is the capital of Khao Soi. This Northern Thai curry noodle soup is more than a dish; it is a religion. Everyone has “their spot.” Everyone has a grandmother who makes it better than anyone else. And everyone has a strong opinion on whether the broth should be thick like gravy or thin like soup.
For our customers—especially those visiting from abroad—this is crucial information. You have just purchased some premium Orange Cream Pop or Godfather Bomb from our shop. The munchies are setting in. Your sense of taste is heightened. You are craving something rich, spicy, creamy, and crunchy.
You need Khao Soi. But you don’t want a “tourist trap” bowl. You want the real deal.
So, we did the hard work for you. We held a “Staff Battle.” We sent our team out to the streets surrounding our Old City, Chiang Mai Gate, and Sridonchai branches. They ate. They debated. They entered a food coma. And they voted.
“See which bowl Gato voted for in our free guide.”
Gato is our most discerning smoker. If a bowl of noodles can impress him after a session, it is world-class.
Here is the HazeBuds Guide to the best curry noodles within striking distance of our dispensary, and the perfect strain to pair with each bowl.
Before we reveal the winners, we need to discuss why Khao Soi is the ultimate stoner food.
Scientifically, when THC binds to your receptors, it enhances your sensitivity to scents and flavors (Terpenes). It also triggers a craving for Fat and Salt. Khao Soi is the perfect storm of these elements:
Fat: The coconut milk (Kathi) provides a rich, creamy mouthfeel.
Spice: The chili paste wakes up the endorphins.
Texture: The contrast between the soft boiled noodles and the crispy fried noodles on top is a sensory playground.
Acid: The squeeze of lime cuts through the fat, cleansing the palate for the next bite.
When you are high, eating Khao Soi isn’t just lunch; it is a symphony.
Location: Near the Old City (Northwest corner, Santitham area). Distance from HazeBuds Old City: 5-minute motorbike ride.
The Profile: This is the “people’s champion.” It has a Michelin Bib Gourmand, which usually means “long lines of tourists,” but Maesai manages to keep its local soul. The broth here is thick. It is almost like a gravy. It is intense, dark, and heavy on the spices.
The Staff Argument:
Joy (Budtender): “This is the winner. Period. The chicken drumstick falls off the bone if you just look at it. You don’t even need chopsticks; you can eat it with a spoon. It’s the most consistent bowl in the city.”
The Experience: It is chaotic. You have to write your order on a piece of paper. It is loud. But when that bowl lands, the world stops. The curry paste is robust, with heavy notes of cardamom and black pepper.
Strain Pairing: Lemon Grass Gas (Sativa). You need a citrusy, cutting strain to balance the heaviness of this broth. The lemon terpenes will cleanse your palate, preventing you from feeling too weighed down by the rich coconut milk.
Score: 9/10 (Points deducted only because the line is long at lunch).
Location: Suriyawong Road (Near Chiang Mai Gate). Distance from HazeBuds Chiang Mai Gate: 3-minute walk.
The Profile: This is the famous “Netflix Khao Soi” featured on Somebody Feed Phil. But ignore the hype for a second. Is it good? Yes. Lung Prakit serves a version that is distinctly “Pong” (a Northern word meaning pungent/strong). The soup is smokier than others. It is salty, savory, and deeply umami.
The Staff Argument:
Boyd (Manager): “Forget the chicken. You go here for the Beef (Nua). They stew the beef until it is gelatinous. It melts in your mouth. And the broth isn’t too sweet—a lot of places make it like a dessert. Lung Prakit keeps it savory.”
The Experience: It’s an old-school shophouse. It feels gritty and authentic. The smell of the charcoal fire permeates the noodles. It is very close to our Chiang Mai Gate branch, making it the perfect post-shopping meal.
Strain Pairing: Godfather Bomb (Indica). This is a heavy meal. Don’t fight it. Lean into the “Beef Coma.” Smoke a heavy Indica, eat the beef bowl, and then go get a foot massage next door. That is a perfect afternoon.
Score: 8.5/10 (A bit salty for some, but perfect for others).
Location: Sri Poom Road (North Moat, Old City). Distance from HazeBuds Old City: 8-minute walk.
The Profile: “Khun Yai” means Grandma. This place is legendary, elusive, and frustrating. Why frustrating? Because they open at 10:00 AM and close at 2:00 PM (or whenever they run out). And they always run out. If you get a bowl, you are lucky. The broth here is balanced. It isn’t as thick as Maesai, and not as salty as Lung Prakit. It is elegant. It is refined.
The Staff Argument:
May (Admin): “It’s the balance. The spice doesn’t burn your tongue; it warms your chest. The pickled mustard greens (Pakkad Dong) are homemade and crunchy, not soggy. It’s the most ‘polite’ Khao Soi.”
The Experience: It is an open-air pavilion located between two temples. It feels very peaceful (until the lunch rush).
Strain Pairing: Miracle Fruit (Sativa Dominant). This strain enhances flavor perception without making you too sleepy. You want to be awake to appreciate the subtle balance of spices in Grandma’s secret recipe.
Score: 9/10 (Points deducted because they close so early!).
Location: Charoen Prathet Road (Near the Night Bazaar). Distance from HazeBuds Sridonchai: 2-minute walk.
The Profile: Khao Soi has roots in the Chinese-Muslim trade caravans (Chin Haw) that traveled through Northern Thailand. Khao Soi Islam honors those roots. The noodles here are different—they are flat and white, closer to a fettuccine than the yellow egg noodles found elsewhere. The broth is much lighter, thinner, and less reliant on heavy chili oil.
The Staff Argument:
Team Sridonchai: “This is the best one for lunch because you don’t feel like dying afterwards. It’s light. And they have amazing sides like Chicken Satay and Mutton Biryani. It’s a feast.”
The Experience: It’s a clean, bustling restaurant. It’s very close to our Sridonchai flagship store. If you find the other curries too heavy or oily, this is your spot.
Strain Pairing: Sugarcane (Hybrid). A sweet, uplifting strain that pairs wonderfully with the side of Ox-Tail soup or Beef Satay.
Score: 8/10 (Different style, acquired taste for some).
We promised you a winner. We turned to Gato. He is part of the HazeBuds family, known for his incredibly high tolerance and his even higher standards for food. When Gato has the munchies, he doesn’t settle for 7-Eleven toasties.
We put four bowls in front of him (metaphorically). We watched him eat. We waited for the verdict.
Gato’s Pick: Khao Soi Lung Prakit (The Beef Bowl).
The Reasoning: “It’s about the depth,” Gato explained. “When you smoke a complex strain like Runtz, you want food that has layers. Maesai is just rich. Khun Yai is just polite. But Lung Prakit? It has smoke. It has salt. It has sweetness. And the beef… man, the beef. It’s the only bowl I finish and immediately want to order a second one.”
The Convenience Factor: “Also,” Gato added, “It is literally 300 meters from our Chiang Mai Gate branch. I can buy my pre-rolls, walk there in 3 minutes, eat, and be happy. Convenience is flavor.”
Now that you know where to go, you need to know how to eat it. We see tourists make mistakes every day. Do not be that person.
1. The Condiment Plate is Not Optional Every bowl comes with a side plate: Lime wedge, pickled mustard greens, and raw shallots.
You MUST squeeze the lime. The acidity cuts the fat of the coconut milk. Without it, the soup is too heavy.
You MUST add the pickles. They add crunch and sourness.
The Shallots: Optional, but recommended for a spicy kick.
2. The “Chili Jam” Warning On the table, there is a jar of dark, oily chili paste (Nam Prik Pao). Be careful. This is roasted chili oil. It is smoky and very spicy. Start with half a teaspoon. Stir it in. Taste. Do not dump a whole spoon in unless you want to ruin your palate (and your stomach).
3. Chopsticks AND Spoon Use the chopsticks to lift the noodles. Use the spoon to drink the broth. Do not try to eat the chicken leg with chopsticks—it will splash curry onto your white t-shirt. Use the spoon to cut the meat off the bone.
You have eaten the bowl. Gato was right; the beef was amazing. Now, the “itis” sets in. The combination of cannabis, carbohydrates, and coconut milk creates a heavy sedation.
What to do next: Do not plan to hike a mountain. Do not plan to go rafting. Plan to relax.
1. The Sweet Chaser: Walk back towards the Old City. Find a cart selling “Nam Kang Sai” (Thai Shaved Ice) or grab a Thai Tea. The sugar helps balance the spice.
2. The Second Smoke: You are full. The heavy Indica effect of the food is kicking in. This is the perfect time to switch to a CBD-heavy strain or use our Diip CBD Oil. It aids digestion and prevents you from crashing too hard, keeping you in a pleasant, floaty state for the rest of the afternoon.
There is no better way to spend a day in Chiang Mai than this simple loop:
Visit HazeBuds (Old City, Chiang Mai Gate, or Sridonchai).
Chat with our staff. Ask them what they are smoking today.
Buy a gram of Jelly Donutz or Runtz.
Walk to one of these legendary noodle shops.
Eat until you can’t move.
This is the local lifestyle. It is slow. It is delicious. And it is elevated.
See which bowl Gato voted for in our free guide. (Spoiler: It was Lung Prakit).
But don’t just take Gato’s word for it. Try all four. Report back to us at the shop. Tell us if we were wrong. We love a good debate.
Bon Appetit and Stay High.
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