Yaowarat Chinatown in Bangkok is famous for many dishes, but Guay Jub is easily one of the most popular items to track down.
This rolled rice noodle soup features a distinctively peppery base and slabs of crispy pork belly.
While I previously tried Nai Ek Roll Noodle (陳億粿條) at the Thai Taste Hub food court within Mahanakhon CUBE, I realised that nothing quite compares to the energy of the original shophouse.
The eatery has survived the test of time, growing from a humble pushcart in Chinatown over fifty years ago to the permanent spot it has occupied since 1989.
It was previously listed in the MICHELIN Guide as MICHELIN Selected, or what many people knew as the MICHELIN Plate.
Finding the rustic Nai Ek Roll Noodle (ร้านก๋วยจั๊บนายเอ็ก) presents two immediate challenges.
The menu is focused on pork and offal specialties. For the signature Roll Noodles Soup, you can now choose from three sizes priced at THB 70, THB 100, and THB 150.
You can customise your bowl with minced pork, sliced pork, stomach, liver, kidney, or tongue. If you enjoy the taste of innards, the variety here is wide.
They also offer a Pork Entrails Soup and a Pork Blood Soup for those who want to skip the noodles entirely.
What I enjoyed most at Nai Ek was the aromatic peppery soup base. It was clear and delivered a sharp, soothing kick that warmed the stomach instantly.
The flavour reminded me of Singapore’s Teochew-style Bak Kut Teh, and the addition of minced garlic and coriander gave the broth an extra edge.
The rice noodles are served in thick, rolled pieces which provide a much better texture than standard flat noodles.
Another highlight of the meal is the deep-fried crispy pork belly.
Slabs of pork are laid out at the front of the shop and chopped fresh to order. Because they are deep-fried rather than roasted, the skin has a guaranteed and immediate crunch.
The meat was generally more lean than fatty but remained juicy.
You can order a dedicated plate of crispy pork for THB 100 or THB 200 if you want to munch on it separately.
Beyond the noodles, the kitchen serves several hearty side dishes and rice plates. There are the Pork Spareribs Stew and the Braised Pork Rump which are very popular choices.
Nai Ek Roll Noodle is open from 8am until midnight. Which means you can have this for breakfast, lunch, or a late-night supper.
Nai Ek Roll Noodle
442 Yaowarat Soi 9, Yaowarat Road, Samphanthawong, Bangkok 10100, Thailand
Opening Hours: 8am – 12am (Mon – Sun)
Google Maps – Nai Ek Roll Noodle, BANGKOK
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