Nai Ek Roll Noodle is a Gem

The Chinese population in Bangkok is thriving - Yaowarat or at least the part of it/ enclave called The Place is bustling. It’s a well known fact that Thai Chinese food is delicious - a spicier, sweeter, sourer twist to things that I prefer vs Peranakan flavours (no disrespect). And somehow, a better rendition of the Indo Chinese dishes like bakso as well (again, no disrespect IMHO. Pork is the glue that binds us - the Chinese immigrants across south east Asia. What Nai Ek serves is (to my best guess) kway chap, the Thai version of it. And that is I ended up at Nai Ek Noodles.

The rolled noodles were fantastic. Think hybrid east west vibes and bites. It’s literally a f.lat noodle (kway chap) rolled into a cigar like shape. What’s that in pasta terms - fusilli Regardless, it came out great. Love the bounce to every bite.

You have all the usual innards with the bowl of piping hot soup - kidneys, stomach, etc but the stand out (rarity factor) for me are the blood cakes. So masterfully done, I thought I was having soya beancurd jelly.

We also had the roast pork rice. Another winner - but you’ve to come with an open mind. While the siew yoke here doesn’t crackle (pork skin) the way we’re used to, it more than makes up for it with what can only be described as the boundless of the texture. The sauce at the side (unlike our usual lime chilli pairing) is also unique. Thais love their food sweet - that’s the only downside for my palate.

Finished the whole plate of rice regardless - and this is for breakfast. Washed it all down with the innards from the pork soup.

It gets pretty hot, and packed at Nai Ek. Try to come early (they open 8 am till late night), to enjoy the dishes better.

Per bowl, the average is 50 baht. That’s a steal. This is a solid 7.5/10 for me, vs ANY pork serving country’s cuisine.

This gem of a find is a tribute from ChiefEater Susan, who has a visionary palate for all (food) things Asian and specialises in Thai gastronomia. We will be coming back to this place again.