Thai Noodles Guide
One of the most favorite kinds of food in Thailand, one that’s actually eaten throughout the Far East, noodles come in all shapes and sizes. From the legendary “farang” favorite Pad Thai, to the ubiquitous Thai noodle soup, there are noodles to suit everyone in the Land of Smiles. But how are you going to know which kind of noodles are best for you? With so many different kinds of noodle dish available, it would be nice to have a bit of advice before we go delving into our bowls armed with our chopsticks. So read on, and you’ll know everything there is to know about Thai noodles.
Pad Thai
Without a doubt the most famous noodle dish in Thailand, Pad Thai may possibly even be the most well known food in the entire country. Hugely popular with tourists, this is one dish that you’ll easily be able to find and order, no matter where you might be in the country. Stir fried, made with rice noodles, egg, assorted vegetables, chicken or shrimp and a handful of fresh bean sprouts, this dish is great tasting, filling and it can be eaten any time of day or night.
Where to Buy: Vendors, restaurants
Price: 40-60 Baht
Top Tip: Select from a range of condiments according to your tastes. Most restaurants and vendors will have lemon, sugar, peanuts and chili powder for you to add.
Fried Noodles in Thick Sauce
This is one of the most commonly eaten dishes served at lunchtime in Thailand. “Raad na” is made from the best thick rice noodles, although it can also be made from egg noodles or vermicelli as well. Fried lightly in oil, a thick, dark sauce is added, giving the dish its brownish color. The sauce is made from garlic, marinated meats, soybeans and other vegetables, giving it an exotic, sweet tasts
Where to Buy: Vendors, restaurants
Price: 45-50 Baht
Top Tip: This dish can taste quite sweet, so you might want to add some pepper to neutralize the taste a little.
Fried Rice Noodles with Soy Sauce
Delicious either for lunch, dinner or even just as a quick snack, “Phat se-eu” is a scrumptious mix of stir fried rice noodles, together with garlic, kale, egg, pork and a very tasty soy sauce, all combining to create a very powerful tasting dish that goes down extremely well.
Where to Buy: Vendors, restaurants
Price: 40-50 Baht
Top Tip: Ask for “Sen yai phat se-eu” for wide noodles and “Sen mee pat se-eu” for wide noodles.
Pork or Beef Noodles
Available from many noodle stalls across the city, it’s possible to order this tasty bowl of pork or beef noodles. Both of these types are called “Gu-tiaw rua”. Made from rice noodles and sweet basil, mixed with the meat of your choice (“Moo” or “Nua”), the vendor will usually add cow’s blood or pig’s blood into the piping hot broth. This is what thickens the broth, adding richness and a dark brown color at the same time. Very meaty tasting, this dish is unique because it comes in very small servings, and is sold very cheaply.
Where to Buy: Vendors, restaurants
Price: 40-50 Baht
Top Tip: This dish can taste quite sweet, so you might want to add some pepper to neutralize the taste a little.
Bami Nam – Egg Noodle Soup
There’s nothing quite as good as this deliciously savory bowl of egg wheat noodles, mixed with a thick and tasty broth of chicken stock, meat and a few vegetables for good measure. Ask for “Bami nam”, choose from mixed pork, chicken, duck, crab or fish (point at the selection of meats you want), sit back and wait for your generous portion of this Thai favorite to arrive.
Where to Buy: Vendors, restaurants
Price: 40-50 Baht
Top Tip: Don’t ever pick up the bowl and drink the broth straight from the bowl! This is considered very bad manners by most Thais, who use a small spoon to scoop up the broth instead.
If you want to learn how to cook Thai food, check out Sompong Thai cooking school.
