Khow suey with Chicken - Coconut Milk Noodles - Khou suey is a comforting burmese dish. It is a lightly spiced Burmese Coconut Noodle Soup and is served with a variety of toppings such as crispy onions, garlic, lemon, mint. It is bursting full of flavour and just lip smackingly more-ish!
This is a version I learnt from my inlaws and it isn't an authentic version but one with an indian twist.
Khow suey with Chicken - Coconut Milk Noodles
I first came across the delight that is Kawsay, Khou Suey or Khao Soi at my inlaws house.
What is Khow Suey with Chicken?
This Burmese Noodle Soup is usually made with egg noodles and curried chicken stock with coconut milk.
Oh no Khauk Sui as it is often referred to translates to coconut milk noodles.
I did read in a book once, that the โOh noโ was because the dish is so delicious that you canโt stop eating it but I havenโt been able to find mention of this anywhere else so canโt be sure if that is the case.
This Burmese recipe came to the Memon community via Pakistan and was adapted to suit their taste.
It has also become popular in India and Pakistan.
My version is from my mother in law. I had never heard of it before marriage and now I canโt stop eating it. Oh no!
How to pronounce Khow Suey
Khow suey is pronounced Khow sway.
Is Khow Suey Healthy?
Yes it is a healthy recipe minus the fried elements. Although adding some to the bowl is fine as part of a balanced diet.
Authentic Khou Sui - Burmese Style
In an authentic version - You make a Khao Soi Paste with Dried Chillies, Shallots, Garlic, Ginger, Coriander leaves/stems and ground, Turmeric and Curry Powder.
This is then added to a Soup made from Coconut Milk, Chicken Stock, Noodles, Fish Sauce, Brown Sugar and Salt.
The bowl is usually topped with Bean Sprouts, Red Onions, Coriander, Fried Onions, Fried Garlic, Chilli Oil and Lime wedges.
Here is a recipe for one via the Rangoon Sisters.
Ingredients in Khou Suey
Meat
In this version we use skinless, bone in Chicken. It can also be made with Beef, Lamb or Chicken Breast.
Noodles
I use Spaghetti in this recipe. It is traditionally made with Egg Noodles.
Curry
The base is made with Onion, Curry Leaves, Ginger, Garlic, Green Chillies, Coriander, Mint, Cumin Powder, Turmeric, Salt and Pepper and Coconut Milk.
Toppings -
Fried Shallots or Onions
Lightly fried slices of Garlic
Boiled Eggs
Spring Onions
Lemon and Lime wedges
A little Fresh Mint
A pinch of Chaat Masala
Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
Fried strips of Spring Roll Pastry
How to make Chicken Khow Suey
Make the spaghetti according to the pack instructions but reduce the time by 3 minutes. Drain and set aside.
Heat oil and add onions and curry leaves. Cook on medium/low for 10 - 15 minutes.
Add the garlic, ginger, green chillies, coriander, turmeric, cumin, mint, salt and pepper to a blender and blend with a little water.
Add the paste to the cooked onions along with the chicken. Cook covered, on medium low for 10 minutes.
Add coconut milk and stir throughly. Simmer for 15 - 20 mins covered. You can add gram flour to thicken the sauce at this stage.
Stir in the Spaghetti and cook for a couple of minutes.
Ladle into bowls and serve with a squeeze of lemon juice and toppings of your choice.
how to serve khow suey
You can either serve it all together in a bowl.
You can have the main dish in the middle with several bowls surrounding it with optional toppings in it.
Or you can have serve the meat and noodles in 2 separate bowls and serve all the toppings in small individual bowls around it. Each individual can then add whatever they like to their own bowls according to their tastes.
Variations
Some recipes use Yoghurt mixed with Gram Flour instead of Coconut Milk and then whisk this into the meat towards the end of cooking.
You can make the meat separately and the noodles separately and assemble in the bowl, then top with condiments.
Storage
Khow Suey keeps well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply microwave or reheat on the hob with a splash of water.
I would not recommend freezing it.
More Pasta Recipes:
The ultimate 5 cheese Mac and Cheese
Veggie Coconut Curry Noodle Soup
One Pot Lemon Chicken and Thyme Orzo
if you try this recipe, or any other recipe on tiffin and tea, please take a moment to โญ rate the recipe and/ or leave me a ๐ฌ comment. i love hearing from you, but it also helps shape future content and helps other readers who are thinking of making the recipe.
Khow suey with Chicken - Coconut Milk Noodles
Ingredients
Khou Suey
- 500 g Spaghetti or Egg Noodles
- 2 tablespoon Oil
- 2 large Onions Diced
- 1 sprig Curry Leaves
- 8 cloves Garlic
- 1.5 inch Ginger
- 3 - 7 Green chillies I use 7
- 1 Large bunch Coriander Leaves and Stems
- 1 teaspoon Mint leaves Optional
- 1 teaspoon Cumin powder
- ยฝ teaspoon Turmeric Powder
- Salt and Pepper
- 1 Chicken cleaned and cut into 8 pieces or just use legs/thighs
- 800 g Coconut milk 2 tins
- 1 Lemon/Lime Juice only
Toppings
- Fried Shallots
- Fried slices of Garlic
- Boiled Eggs
- Sliced Spring Onions
- Lemon and Lime wedges
- A pinch of Chaat Masala
- Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
- Fried strips of Spring Roll Pastry
Instructions
- Make the spaghetti according to the pack instructions but reduce the time by half.
- Drain the spaghetti and pour a tablespoon of oil over the top to stop it from sticking together.
- In a large non stick pan add curry leaves and Onions. Cook over medium/low heat until onions in the oil until golden brown. This takes about 10 - 15 minutes.
- Whilst the onions are cooking, in a food processor, add water, chillies, ginger, garlic, coriander, mint (If using), cumin, turmeric and salt and pepper. Blend to a paste.
- Once the onions are cooked, pour the paste into the pot and add the chicken.
- Turn the heat down and cook covered for about 10 minutes. Stir occasionally during this time to make sure the mixture isn't sticking.
- Now pour over the coconut milk (including water).
- Bring to a boil, cover the pan and simmer gently for 15 - 20 minutes or until the chicken is tender. (Cooking time will depend on the size of the chicken).
- Stir the spaghetti into the pot.
- Ladle into bowls, add toppings and enjoy!
Notes
how to serve khow suey
You can either serve it all together in a bowl. You can have the main dish in the middle with several bowls surrounding it with optional toppings in it. Or you can have serve the meat and noodles in 2 separate bowls and serve all the toppings in small individual bowls around it. Each individual can then add whatever they like to their own bowls according to their tastes.Variations
Some recipes use Yoghurt mixed with Gram Flour instead of Coconut Milk and then whisk this into the meat towards the end of cooking. You can make the meat separately and the noodles separately and assemble in the bowl, then top with condiments.Storage
Khow Suey keeps well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply microwave or reheat on the hob with a splash of water. I would not recommend freezing it.Nutrition
Jackie Garvin says
I've never tried this dish and it looks so interesting and delicious. Beautiful photos!
Safira says
Thank you so much! It is delicious! Must try recipe
Luci says
This sounds and looks so refreshing! I don't have coconut milk curries very often - do you recommend the full fat canned kind, or would the cartoned kind do? I reckon subbing chickpeas or extra firm tofu for the chicken would be an ok veggie sub?
Safira says
I would definitely recommend the full fat tin here. I imagine chickpeas and squash would work really well!
Amanda says
This recipe sounds delicious. To make it gluten-free, I would substitute rice noodles.
Safira says
Thank you so much! Love rice noodles ๐
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
Now this looks like a comforting and full of flavour dish. I have never had spaghetti with coconut milk before.
Safira says
Thanks it is delicious and comforting!
Elizabeth says
Oh this sounds heavenly, especially cooked over an open camp fire! I need this in my life!
Safira says
Perfect comforting outdoor grub! THankyou
Lisa | Garlic + Zest says
Even if I couldn't navigate the dish with grace, I'm sure I would enjoy it. Beautiful colors and it looks really hearty!
Safira says
You would! Thank you so much!
S says
Nice
Safira says
Thank you so much!