Winner, Winner, Thai Dinner
I put noodles on the menu at Soothr!
Okay, this might be one of the coolest things that’s ever happened to me. Soothr, one of the most beloved Thai restaurants in NYC, put out a call last month asking followers to submit a dish they’d love to see on the menu. I entered. I forgot. And then I jumped for joy because…
They picked mine. 🥲
Yum Kanom Jeen (ยำขนมจีน), one of my all time favorite Thai dishes, is now officially on Soothr’s menu! But it’s only for a limited time (through June 17th) so get it while you can!
What is Yum Kanom Jeen?
I’m glad you asked. If you’ve been following me for a while, you might have seen me talk about this dish. It’s doesn’t show up on menus often in the U.S. (I’ve never seen it), which makes this moment even more special. “Yum” ยำ is essentially the Thai word for spicy, tangy salad, and “Kanom Jeen” ขนมจีน refers to the silky, fermented rice noodles often used in curry or eaten cold with fresh herbs and chili pastes.
Yum Kanom Jeen is bright, funky, sour, spicy, and herbaceous. It’s the kind of noodle dish that wakes up your senses and really captures the essence of every characteristic of Thai flavors. You’ll find it at street stalls and festivals in Thailand, especially in regions like Central Thailand or Isaan. I remember the first time I came across this dish, it was truly love at first bite. I’ve been obsessively making it ever since to be honest. It’s a summertime staple and a glorious chilled noodle dish to add to your recipe list.
I was first introduced to this dish while visiting Thailand in 2019 during Loy Krathong Festival. I still remember standing in the glow of lanterns on the water, the neon vendor lights, the sounds of the traditional Thai music, all while eating this mound of noodles that looked completely unassuming, but tasted absolutely electric. I haven’t stopped thinking about it since.
The Experience
When Soothr put out the contest, I didn’t overthink it. I just submitted the dish that’s lived rent-free in my head since that first bite. I never expected they’d pick it, in fact I completely forgot about it, but they did! And I’m so excited that a dish I love so much is now getting its time in the spotlight.
When I arrived for my reservation, I was greeted with a smile and an envelope that included a sweet personalized note and a gift card which was such a thoughtful touch. The staff was incredibly warm and genuinely curious about what I thought of the dish. Winning the contest was exciting on its own, but their extraordinary hospitality and attention to detail made the whole thing feel extra special. I left feeling so full of gratitude (and food).
To me, Yum Kanom Jeen is everything I love about Thai cooking: bold, bright, funky, and balanced. It’s not the most photogenic dish out there, but Soothr really delivered and made it look extra fancy.
If you’re in NYC, you can try it for yourself at Soothr (204 E 13th St in the East Village). It’s only on the menu through June 17th, so catch it while you can! I’ve already been once and will definitely be back for round two. I posted a little recap on my socials if you want to peep those (Instagram and Tiktok, pick your poison).
If you go, I’d love to hear what you think. Thanks for being here, for reading, and for celebrating these full-circle food moments with me. I can’t wait to keep sharing more Thai dishes I love, both nostalgic and new.
xx,
Kasey
PS: A quick note on the spelling of the dish. If you’ve been following along, you might’ve noticed I previously spelled it Yum Kanom Jin, while Soothr spells it Yum Kanom Jeen. Both are referring to the same dish! Since Thai doesn’t use the Roman alphabet, transliteration can vary a lot depending on personal preference, regional dialects, or which system is being used. So if you see jin, jeen, or even chin, don’t worry, it’s all the same delicious noodle salad.