best khao soi in city?

anyone? a couple weeks in Chiang Mai has made this one of my favorite dishes in the world....

First, for those (like me) who never heard of this dish:

"Khao soi or khao soy (Thai: ข้าวซอย, pronounced [kʰâ:w sɔ̄ːj]; Lao: ເຂົ້າຊອຍ [kʰȁw sɔ́ːj]) is a Burmese-influenced dish (see ohn no khao swè) served widely in northern Laos and northern Thailand.[1] The name means "cut rice" in Thai, although it is possible that it is simply a corruption of the Burmese word for noodles which is just "khao swè" which may account for the variations. Traditionally, the dough for the rice noodles is spread out on a cloth stretched over boiling water. After steaming the large sheet noodle is then rolled and cut with scissors. Lao khao soi is still made with the traditional noodles and in some markets in Luang Namtha and Muang Sing you can still see the vendors cutting the noodles. These traditional cut noodles can also be found in several places in northern Thailand." - per Wikipedia.

I don't know if it's the best, but I always enjoy it at Sticky Rice:
Sticky Rice
4018 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60618

I'm no expert, but I quite enjoyed the version at Silli Kori, 2053 W. Division.

It is one of my frequent orders at Andy's Thai Kitchen. Andy's uses much thinner noodles than in your photo.

I'm no expert on the dish, but I first tried it at Andy's Thai Kitchen after hearing raves about it in the initial reviews when they opened a few years ago... I have had it there many times since, and tried the dish at some other Thai restaurants after discovering the dish. Andy's is hands down the best I've had.

A visit to Chiangmai Mai will get anyone hooked. As for Chicago, I agree on ATK-an excellent version. Sticky Rice's can be excellent, but like all of my experiences there...don't be surprised by large variances in quality. Immm Thai has a pretty decent version too. Finally, I really like the one at Jin Thai on Broadway. That and their wonderful gai yang (my favorite in the city-served with sticky rice and papaya salad) makes for a great dinner. My favorite is probably between ATK's and Jin Thai's.

I haven't been to ATK yet, but my best memory of a great one was at TAC years ago. Andy was probably the reason. Khao Soi is definitely a must have when trying a new Thai joint, imo.

I have tried the majority, or very near, of northside Thai places, often Khao Soy.

Best IMO: Immm Rice & Beyond on N Broadway. Rainbow & others better overall, but they have the best Khao Soy.

I tried to visit IMMM Thai last nite. They said they close at 9.30, which is a weird closing time, so i assumed that meant the kitchen closed at 9.30 and the place was really open to 10pm. Wishful thinking? We got there at 9.10 and the kitchen was closed. I was upset! As a former Los Angeleno, Thai food for me = very late closings! Midnight or 2 am even.

So I didn't get to try it yet. Instead we went next door to a very full Tank Noodles, which somehow I thought was Thai until I saw all the Pho on the menu. Mediocre.

Alas!

I grew up eating Khao Soi made by my mom since we are originally from Chiang Mai. I've tried Khao Soi at Sticky Rice and I would have to say it is sub-par. I'm surprised that IMMM has the dish too but so far I'm not too impressed with their curries (too sweet and too much coconut milk). I haven't tried Khao Soi at Andy's Thai Kitchen but I would rather place my bet on Krung Thep since the chef there is from the northern parts of Thailand and other northern Thai dishes on the menu were fine.

Khao Soi is in fact simple to make and I usually make them fresh at home since most of the restaurants make them in large batches, freeze them by portions, and reheat them once ordered. You can find all the ingredients required to make the dish at the Vietnamese markets in Argyle. Best of luck on finding the right one for your taste. I'm glad that Khao Soi has been gaining international attentions. However, as a Chiang-Mai born person, recreating the taste at home is the only way I can satisfy that craving.

TAC has great khao soi. Agree on lots of variation in quality at sticky rice. ATK is pretty good too. But I think at least as good as any of these is the khao soi at Thai Pastry on Broadway!