Kanom Jeen is a ubiquitous dish relished by people throughout Thailand. It's a truly memorable culinary delight of fermented rice noodles with spicy vegan coconut curry, served with a bounty of local vegetables, herbs, shoots, sprouts, and pickles.

There are limitless variations and combinations of Kanom Jeen. It beautifully encapsulates the way Thai people like to eat... Variety - fresh - colorful - seasonal - social - delicious!

In this recipe post, I will be sharing some of the story around Kanom Jeen Nam Ya and I'll explain how to make your own Vegan version of this historic Thai dish at home.

Recipe index

Jump to:

History of Kanom Jeen rice noodles
What are Kanom Jeen noodles?
How to eat Kanom Jeen
What other types of noodles can I use?
Star ingredients
What other garnishes can I use?
Equipment you will need
Fun Fact on kanom jeen noodles
Discover more Thai Vegan Recipes
Let's get cooking
Watch how to make Kanom Jeen
📋 Recipe

History of Kanom Jeen rice noodles

I love exploring the history and story behind classic dishes. It's a great way to learn and understand more about a culture, its people, and its traditions.

Thailand has a rich and diverse culinary heritage, with influences from neighboring Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, and Malaysia as well as a strong influence from China, who were some of the earliest settlers.

Portugal has even played a significant part in Thai culinary history, Phuket was a trading point for the Chinese and Portuguese during the 16th-century Ayutthaya era. Thailand can thank the Portuguese for bringing the chili! Imagine Thai cuisine without chili?

Kanom jeen is probably the only popular noodle in Thailand that did not come to Thailand via the Chinese. This is ironic as the word for Chinese in Thai sounds very much like jeen. Kanom jeen noodles are indigenous to South East Asia and are thought to have originated among the Mon ethnic group, who called them kanawn jin.

Kanom jeen noodles are documented in the Ayuthaya Era (15th to 18th centuries) and may have existed as far back as the 9th century.

Kanom jeen noodles with selection of garnish ready to eat

What are Kanom Jeen noodles?

Kanom jeen is a 100% rice noodle consisting of rice, water, and (optional) salt. It's made by fermenting the dough, then extruding it through a cylinder with holes into hot water for cooking.

Their strands are long, round, thin, and elastic, with a beautiful white sheen and a pleasant chewy texture.

Two types of fresh kanom jeen noodles are available in the Thai markets:

1. Kanom jeen bpaaeng mak

These are the traditional and most sought-after kanom jeen noodles. Made from fermented rice starch, they have a distinctive tangy and nutty flavor because the rice starch is allowed to ferment for a few days before cooking.

The fermentation is dominated by lactic acid microbes and yeasts. (Lactobacillus sp. and Streptococcus sp.) This process also improves the rice noodle's texture and gives it a light-brownish color.

Fully fermented kanom keen noodles are not easy to find, and even harder to make. Their production requires skill, time, labor, and group collaboration. They are only produced by communal or family-supported small manufacturers.

2. Kanom jeen bpaaeng soht

These are the most common variety, mass-produced and made from fresh rice starch.

As demand grew, kanom jeen production was scaled up. Manufacturers began using non-fermented fresh starch to simplify production and increase their yield.

Jamie buying fresh noodles at the local market in Thalang, Phuket. This is a very busy family-run operation making the fermented rice noodles in the traditional way.

How to eat Kanom Jeen

Thailand is a massive country of 70 million people stretching 2000km from the Southern Malaysian border to the Northern Burmese border. It's a fertile rich land with different climates throughout.

Each region of Thailand is proud of the way they eat various dishes. As we travel through Thailand, Kanom Jeen Nam Ya will show up in countless forms, each with its own unique regional identity.

Kanom jeen is always eaten with fresh vegetables, boiled eggs, and pickles.

For a 100% vegan version, you can add grilled tempeh to this recipe.

In the North, pickled cabbage and raw sprouts are typical.
In the North East, white popinac, climbing wattle, and parsley are enjoyed.
The central Thailand regions add banana blossoms, lentils, cucumbers, sprouts, raw papaya, basil, goto kola, bitter melon, and morning glory.
In the South, fresh vegetables such as parkia (stinky beans), white popinac (river tamarind), olives, and pickles are added.

What other types of noodles can I use?

Dried vermicelli rice noodles are a good substitute if you cannot get fresh kanom jeen noodles, which I guess will be difficult if you are outside Thailand.

Star ingredients

Kra chai (fingerroot)
Turmeric
Fermented rice noodles
Mushrooms
Tofu
Pickles, fresh vegetables, and herbs

One of the key ingredients "Kra chai" is hard to find fresh outside of Thailand, you can buy it in brine at Asian grocery stores that carry a lot of Thai ingredients.

Read all about the health benefits of ''kra chai'' here.

What other garnishes can I use?

There really are no limits here! Add your favorite vegetables, pickles, and herbs. Keep in mind what is local and seasonal in your region.

Here is a list of some ideas:

Garden peas
Sweetcorn
Cucumber
Sauerkraut
Kimchi
Various pickles
Spinach
Kale
Sliced onion
Black garlic
Coriander
Cress
Sliced apple
Peanuts
Cashews
Dried fruits
Mixed seeds
Tempeh or tofu

Equipment you will need

Medium-sized saucepan for making the sauce
Blender to make the quick curry paste
Chopping board
Chefs knife
Peeler
Strainer for washing the vegetables and draining the noodles
Some nice serving bowls

Fun Fact on kanom jeen noodles

It is fashionable in Thailand to serve kanom jeen at wedding ceremonies. The qualities of the noodles; long, white, and elastic suggest the longevity of the young couple's love for each other. It indicates a long-lasting bond that will not easily brake!

The collective efforts involved in making the noodles signify that the young couple will remain a united family cell, and will help each other to overcome challenges together.

Discover more Thai Vegan Recipes

Let's get cooking

This dish is not something you can easily find in Thai restaurants around the world, so it's definitely something you have to make yourself if you want to experience it!

If you make this recipe, please let me know in the comments box below or tag #holisticchefacademy. Share with your friends and family who may like this recipe.

From my kitchen to yours; Happy cooking and good health wishes

Kanom Jeen {Thai Rice Noodles & Coconut Curry}