Another mainstay of the Thai eateries in Golden Mile Complex had to say goodbye – but not for long as it found itself a new home at Telok Ayer (near Tanjong Pagar MRT station).
Tha Chang Noodle Bar was recognisable as the eatery with an elephant as the icon, and its interior decked out in neon lights.
Behind the concept are three Thai friends who intended to deliver the authentic Thai Boat Noodle experience to Singaporeans.
They had apparently studied under a veteran Thai chef who had decades of experience in the quintessential street food dish, and later putting a modern twist on it.
While the original Golden Mile location was all about rustic homeliness, the new location is more upscale (and of course higher prices).
It has reopened at Telok Ayer Street, along the food stretch that is popular to officegoers. It makes it much more convenient to grab their grub during lunch or after work.
The décor is a mix-and-match of Thai elements, the most obvious of which is the strings of Thai flags hanging across the ceiling.
Neon lights, parasols, pin-ups of memorabilia, and even a ceramic stallion are some of the many components around.
It is definitely livelier at night too.
Have the signature Special Beef Boat Noodle ($11.90) or Special Pork Boat Noodle ($10.90). For something more indulgent, there is the Premium Wagyu Beef Boat Noodles ($23.00).
The rendition comes with an herbal soup base that is a little spicy, topped out with thick vermicelli, meatballs, pork slices and more.
After I had a sip of the soup, I had the inkling why it was so popular.
There was this amalgamation of robust flavours, and reminded me of the some of the good Boat Noodles served in Bangkok.
They managed to achieve this complex and spicy soup with depth of flavour, even though it was missing the key ingredient of pig’s (or cow’s) blood. I would want to have this again.
They also come as a Beef Hot Pot Boat Noodle Set ($34.00) and Pork Hot Pot Boat Noodle Set ($31.80).
For egg lovers, get something to share like the Creamy Omelette Basil Pork ($15.00) or Chicken Rice Omelette Crab Bomb ($26.30).
A Thai dish made even more popular by the Michelin-starred Jay Fai in Bangkok, this omelette is a deep-fried egg roll stuffed full of crab meat.
This is Tha Chang’s own rendition, which appears quite rustic – a good taste of what the dish can be.
Share the Mooping ($9.80) which comes in threes. This was not bad a rendition, though could be juicier and more succulent.
Or else, quite popular are the Fried Chicken Wing with Spicy Spicy Sauce, Grilled Pork Collar, and Deep Fried Pork Belly with Special Chilli Sauce.
I noticed that Tha Chang actually does up a huge range of somtams, which may not be for the squeamish. The adventurous can always consider the raw marinated seafood, including the Yum Blue Crab, Yum Prawn, or Yum Salmon.
For reinvented Thai food and delicious Thai noodles, I am keen to try out more bowls at Tha Chang.
Tha Chang Restaurant & Bar
171 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068621
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)
Other Related Entries
Soi 47 Thai Food (Orchard Central)
Thai Hao Chi Mookata 泰好吃 (Bedok North)
Bangkok Jam (Plaza Singapura)
Khao Hom by Rung Mama (Katong Square)
HUE Restaurant (Jalan Besar)
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