More than 80 years ago, a wave of immigrants arrived in Bangkok from Guangzhou, China, escaping a city bombarded by the Japanese. They’d cluster together in a small neighborhood in Sathorn District, which would quickly earn the nickname “Egg Noodle Alley”. For a time, their specialty could be found on bicycle carts all across Bangkok, but by now, Egg Noodle Alley, and the ancient techniques the families used to make the dish, are all but forgotten.
But one street cart still survives. And the reason it’s still standing is one of the wildest stories we’ve ever covered.
It’s a story of old recipes, a changing metropolis, and one man’s obsessive quest to become a champion in a sport called bodybuilding- a quest that would, by accident, save the family business.
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Hat tip for the lead on this story to a photographer who publishes at the website http://www.bkkarchive.com …please visit and support his work.
And also a big thank-you to Steph (as referenced) from Chinese Cooking Demystified for her help with some back story on the history of Cantonese Wonton Noodles.
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0:00 – Introduction
0:58 – A Perfect Meal
3:04 – 2000 Years of Wonton Noodles
5:12 – Egg Noodle Alley
8:08 – A Changing Bangkok
9:42 – The Son
11:42 – Bodybuilding
13:51 – Lifter of Weights, Maker of Noodles
15:44 – The End of the Era
17:36 – Rays of Hope
18:33 – Memories
19:47 – The Strongest Man in Thailand
21:22 – Last Bowl of the Day
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Video Credits:
China-Japan War – Japanese Troops In Action (1930-1939)
Japan at War in China During World War 2 Combat Video Footage CBI Theater w/ Sound
Shanghai falls to Japanese attack during Second Sino-Japanese War (1937)
Old Chinese cities in 1935 中國城市
Chinese Refugees In Java (1937)
Hand Made Noodles in Hong Kong
Thai Street Vendor Pok Pok Noodles
Hong Kong’s Bouncing Bamboo Noodles – Eat China (S2E9)
กรุงเทพเมืองหลวงของเรา 2500 Bangkok, Our Capital [1957]
กรุงเทพฯ ในอดีต (พ.ศ.2508-2509) Bangkok,Thailand in 1964-1965
Bangkok Street Scenes 1965
กรุงเทพฯ ในอดีต (พ.ศ.2508-2509) Bangkok,Thailand in 1964-1965
1960s, 1970s Bangkok Thailand, in HD from 35mm
Thai Street Food 60’s Bangkok
SIAM (Thailand) 1940
Country boy of Thailand in 1966
แหวนวิเศษ (๒๔๗๒)
Bread (1945)
Thailand Agriculture And Economy, 1950s – Film 9333
From Austria to Bangkok, Thailand in 1976
28 Comments
Here's the pin for Ba Mee Nak Klam (Muscle Noodles): https://goo.gl/maps/sqFZiwxXnPdz3fQ86
*One note: on Google Maps, their opening time is listed at noon every day, but since they reopened, it's now later; around 3 PM. The first time Daria and I came here it was almost 4 and there was no sign of the place, but a neighbor came outside and told us to hang on, then knocked on their door, and Chamasong was thrilled to set up and simply carried all the ingredients from the home kitchen where she and her family had been preparing everything. So the point is- go to the pinned location after 3 PM, and don't panic if you don't see it immediately. By 4:30 or 5:00 it should be in full swing regardless.
Dude you are like opening a portal to my mom’s childhood, with all these awesome forgotten restaurants!
I'm going to visit this place when I go to Bangkok next time. Looks legit!
FYI it's pronounced dai·a·spuh·ruh
บะหมี่นักกล้าม. สาทร. 🚩
I ate that dish, minus the perfection, at So1 38 for years and years, with some crispy pork, dry, soup on the side. GOD I miss that food street. Most of the cooks were old even then in the later days around 2013, but that's who gave the extra care. Probably had that meal at least 3 times a week over 10 yrs in high season, really it's my fav over pad krapow even
My grandma used to add pork fat until the Rösti tasted good. Then I have an old recipe for a butter and milk bread where a good spoon of lard is added, it smells a bit strange when you open the stove for the first time but the bread is absolutely delicious.
Most Chinese food that spread in thailand is Cantonese food .The one with full of story that i recommended is ข้าวเสีบโป (khao sia po) which is rice top up with variety of roast pork / duck / Chinese sausage.
Congrats Adam this one is no doubt on the award winning documentary level. Hope the old gentleman stays healthy. He is indeed a living legend.
Bodybuilding sure make a person look younger than their actual age. His daughter (no disrespect to her, just an observation) would look older than him if she have the same white hair.
Congratulations, you just ruined this place. Now, hoards of Western tourists will decend on this place just to take a selfie to post on their social media accounts.
I’ve been really into your channel recently my God your work is gorgeous. The research the storytelling is sooo good even I’m Thai I’ve learnt a lot history of this dish from you that amazing. Keep up the good work.
how much?
Watching your videos while im eating food is heaven 😅
I think might be on to something thais seem dont know how to promote themselves… maybe…. hmmmm..
Alright, I’m going here. Looks great.
Brilliant! Now if I can just rub away these goosebumps…
Deep research again.. I love this channel.
This is beautiful ❤😊
This channel is so revolutionary. I just can't think of appropriate words to say about how great your contents are. FFS i mean it man. Food journalism has been pretty stale since AB passed on. And you guys just did it better with (presumably) a lower budget. I'm just out of words.
Everything is so simple yet so complex and delicious.
It is haralious that I am Thai watching some Farung video about my nation food history that I dont even know about.
I am interested in relocating to Thailand and thus watch everything on youtube from there. Since I have started watching your videos, I have lost interest in everyone else; nothing else comes close. Your work is more interesting on every level, the research, the thinking, your ability to tell great stories; and your genuine passion and interest in the people, the culture, the history. You make me feel like I am there, not looking through a window, but actually there; loving the people, the food, the culture, bathed in all of it. So you are the BEST and I cannot really watch anyone else now. They all seem amateurish, dull and uninteresting. They think it needs to be about them and they're just not really interesting; except maybe the Life in Bamboo guy, who is good because he is so genuine but he doesn't have your skills or depth. Great stuff, great work, you're all wonderful. Thank you so much; the work brings great pleasure! Don't ever stop! One last thought: more Daria would be good!
I’m so grateful for your awesome channel . Thank you
I have never known that name of Noodles kiosk but when i saw the face of the owner I could remember them . 20 years ago they did this at Saint louis 3 Road that I often ate after 8 pm . SO delicious confirm
I have never been addicted to a youtube channel like this before! Keep it up!
hungry
Can you do an episode on เย็นตาโฟ yen-ta-four? As a Thai person I am always curious about the origin of our pink colored soup.
Having grown up with egg noodles in a Cantonese household, I had no idea how complex a story these noodles weaved throughout not only history, but throughout South/South East Asia. Awesome story as usual!