[Bangkok] One of the most popular dishes to get at Yaowarat Chinatown in Bangkok is Guay Jub or Kway Chap – rolled rice noodles soup dish with peppery soup base and crispy pork belly.
This is not quite the same as Singapore’s version of Kway Chap.
Some of the famous places to get it include Guay Jub Ouan Pochana, Guay Jub Mr. Jo, Kway Chap Uan Photchana, Kuay Jab Nay Lek, and Nai Ek Roll Noodle.
At the rustic Nai Ek Roll Noodle ร้านก๋วยจั๊บนายเอ็ก (陳億粿條), your two challenges are choosing the noodle combination you want and fighting the crowd of people waiting to get a seat.
I also had this at Thai Taste Hub within Mahanakhon CUBE (Chong Nonsi BTS station).
Nai Ek has endured the test of time, starting from a pushcart in Chinatown half a century ago. The eatery which opened in 1989 has attracted a Michelin Plate recognition, despite the simple plastic tables and chairs setting.
What is distinct about Nai Ek is the aromatic black pepper soup that is used for the Guay Jub. Minced garlic and coriander added to the soup give it even more of an edge.
Also offered on the menu are Pork Entrails Soup, Pork Blood Soup, Deep-Fried Crispy Pork, Deep-Fried Crispy Pork with Rice, and Deep-Fried Chinese Sausage with Rice.
For convenience, the bowls of Roll Noodles Soup come in three sizes (50 THB, 80 THB, 100 THB). Your choices of topping are minced pork, sliced pork, stomach, liver, kidney, tongue – lots of offals, lots of innards, only if you are into its taste.
When your roll noodle soup is served, sip on the peppery soup that will warm your stomach instantly. The rice noodles are in thick pieces for a much better texture.
The soup base reminded me of Singapore’s Teochew-style Bak Kut Teh – clear, peppery with a kick that is smoothing.
The holy grail though are the slabs of crispy pork belly laid out front. They are deep fried rather than roasted to give it a guaranteed crispy skin.
Watch the shop hands chop up the crispy pork. If you cannot wait, you can get a plate to munch on for 100 THB.
The crispy pork, obviously, has an immediate crunch when you bite down on it. It is more lean than fatty, although it does not lose much of its juiciness, being deep fried.
Open from 8am to midnight, go to Nai Ek for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or supper. The rolled noodle soup is yours anytime.
Nai Ek Roll Noodle
442 Yaowarat Soi 9, 9 Samphanthawong, Bangkok 10100, Thailand
Opening Hours: 8am – 12am (Mon – Sun)
Google Maps – Nai Ek Roll Noodle
Other Related Entries
Guay Jub Ouan Pochana (Yaowarat, Bangkok)
Jok Prince (Bangrak, Bangkok)
Nai Mong Hoi Thod (Yaorawat, Bangkok)
Pad Thai Fai Tai Ta Lu (Siam Square, Bangkok)
Lim Lao Ngow (Siam Square, Bangkok)
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* Written by Daniel Ang @DanielFoodDiary and Dean Ang. DFD paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.
