Best boat noodles in Bangkok
Boat noodles, or kuay tiew rue, is a dish that always makes Thai locals’ mouths water. It’s also becoming a popular meal among foreigners as well. For those of you who have no idea about kuay tiew rue, it’s time for you to try one of the most delicious – and really cheap – street foods you can try in Bangkok.
What are boat noodles?
Boat noodle stores by the river in 1978
Image credit: arsomplenggao
Boat noodles, or “kuay tiew rue” in Thai, has been one of the most popular noodle dishes in the country thanks to its rich and flavourful broth. And if you’re wondering why they’re called boat noodles, that’s because most of the vendors sold this dish on boats along canals back in the day. Because space was narrow on the boat, most of them served the noodles in really small portions for convenience (and minimum spillage) too – which is why you’ll see the noodles being served in small bowls till today.
What makes the broth unique is that it’s traditionally a combination of soup and cow’s blood, which gives it its signature thick consistency. It’s served with the customer’s choice of noodles, morning glory leaves, meatballs, and pork or beef slices.
Because the dish is usually served in small portions, you’ll also find people stacking their noodle bowls to make them as high as they can after a meal!
This is a common sight in kuay tiew rue restaurants
Image credit: Sarocha Santithammasak via Wongnai
1. Sri Ayutthaya Boat Noodles (Ari Branch)
Image credit: Torpong Pattanarat via Wongnai
Ari is known as a neighbourhood with many cafes, but that doesn’t mean you’ll only find coffee and cakes here. Sri Ayutthaya Boat Noodles is expanding across Bangkok, and you can drop by Ari Samphan Soi 8 for a meal.
Image credit: Bird Athika via Wongnai
The noodles here are really cheap too – you can get a bowl of Pork Noodles for just ฿20 (~USD0.60). If one bowl doesn’t make you satisfied, just order another – it’s normal to have more than one serving of kuay tiew rue. Don’t forget to give their side dishes like Crispy Fried Wontons (฿45, ~USD1.40) a try before leaving. Plus, you can finish your meal with some Coconut Milk Ice Cream (฿35, ~USD1) to recover from the lunchtime heat.
Address: Ari Samphan Soi 8, Samsen Nai, Phaya Thai, Bangkok
Opening hours: 8am-4pm, Daily
Nearest train station: Ari BTS Station
Contact: +66 9 0949 4760 | Sri Ayutthaya Boat Noodles (Ari Branch) Facebook | Google Maps
2. Nai Berm Boat Noodles
Image credit: edtguide
You can instantly recognise Kuay Tiew Rue Nai Berm from its bright red signboard, which sits between Samsen Soi 11 and 13.
Image credit: edtguide
This restaurant is really popular among the locals, with a bowl of noodles costing ฿20 (~USD0.60), with tonnes of ingredients noodles, meatballs, liver, meat, and morning glory leaves. The portions here are good and though the soup is not too thick, it is well-flavoured without needing any extra seasonings. However, top it up with some crispy Pork Crackling (฿10, ~USD0.30) for an extra crunch. It goes really nicely with the rich and slightly spicy soup too.
Address: 573/10 Samsen Road, Wachira Phayaban, Dusit, Bangkok
Opening hours: 6am-5pm, Daily
Contact: +66 6 4959 7446 | Google Maps
3. Lung Pratunam Boat Noodles
Image credit: แยมเอง via Wongnai
Pratunam is quite a hotspot for good and cheap food, like Go-Ang Chicken Rice, and Lung Pratunam Boat Noodles is another restaurant to look out for. Location in downtown Pratunam, you can easily get here on foot from BTS Chit Lom. We suggest coming by after lunch hours as it can get pretty crowded during that time.
Image credit: แยมเอง via Wongnai
Here, you can try a bowl of Boat Noodles with Meat (฿25, ~USD80) together with some crispy companions like Pork Crackling (฿10, ~USD0.30) or Crispy Fried Wontons (฿10, ~USD0.30). The boat noodles always taste better when the soup starts to get along with the crispy texture of the side dishes. So, we recommend dumping some of those crackling bits into the soup before you eat them.
Address: 30 Phetchaburi Rd., Makkasan, Ratchathewi, Bangkok
Opening hours: 8am-5pm, Daily
Nearest train station: Chitlom BTS Station
Contact: +66 8 5919 1994 | Lung Pratunam Boat Noodles website | Google Maps
4. Mae Chan Boat Noodles
Image credit: Bearyพาชิม เรื่องกินไว้ใจผม via Wongnai
Mae Chan has been serving boat noodles in the area for over 15 years and is known as possibly the best kuay tiew rue restaurant in the Samyan neighbourhood. Here, the recommended dish is Braised Pork Noodles in Soup (฿50, ~USD1.50).
Image credit: Marimari via Wongnai
The broth is rich and thick, and the braised pork chunks are tender, pairing nicely with the chewy noodles. Here, you can also order Pork Crackling (฿15, ~USD0.41) or Fried Pork Snacks (฿10, ~USD0.30) to accompany your noodles. One portion of noodles is quite satisfactory, but we won’t blame you for ordering more bowls.
Address: 1346 Banthat Thong Rd., Pathum Wan, Bangkok
Opening hours: 8am-9pm, Daily
Contact: +66 9 2763 6259 | Google Maps
5. Na Choo Boat Noodles
Image credit: Borin Rangsiphan via Wongnai
Na Choo is a family-run business that has been operating for over 50 years. The stall was originally opened by the current owner’s mother, whom it is named after, near Victory Monument – which used to be a central spot for boat noodle restaurants in BKK. Today, the stall is extremely popular among office workers, students, and even other street vendors in the area.
Image credit: ชีวิตเซลล์ช่างยากลำบาก via Wongnai
The menu is quite no-frills, and customers mostly head straight for kuay tiew rue dishes like Boat Noodles, with prices starting from ฿25 (~USD0.69). Plus, if you find yourself interested in spicy food, you can order Thick Tom Yum Noodles, or Yen Ta Fo Noodles which spicier taste at the same price.
Note that the stall closes in the afternoon – so head before the lunch crowd comes in.
Address: Piboon Wattana Soi 5, Samsennai, Phayatai, Bangkok
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 7am-3.30pm
Contact: +66 8 1939 6483 | Google Maps
6. Pa Yak Boat Noodles
Image credit: edtguide
Pa Yak Boat Noodles is an old-school noodle shop which has been around for roughly 40 years. What makes Pa Yak different from other shops is it actually reduces the price of its kuay tiew rue from ฿12 (~USD0.33) to ฿10 (~USD0.27) after 7pm.
Image credit: Torpong Pattanarat via Wongnai
Pa Yak’s boat noodles come in small portions, so it’s best to order a couple of bowls at once so that your eating session is uninterrupted. There are a variety of side dishes to order too – we recommend their Pork Meatballs (฿60, ~USD1.65) and Fish Meatballs (฿60, ~USD1.65).
It’s tucked away in Rajavithi Soi 10, next to Krungthep-Siam School of Beauty, so use that as your landmark when paying this store a visit.
Address: Ratchawithi Soi 10, Phaya Thai Rd, Ratchathewi, Bangkok
Opening hours: 11am-9pm, Daily
Contact: +66 8 9921 3378 | Google Maps
7. Tha Siam Boat Noodles (Siam Square Branch)
Image credit: Docice Apirak via Wongnai
It’s common for Bangkokians to stumble upon this nook while roaming around Siam. Though it looks quite modern, it’s actually been in the area for around 20 years. It’s also located only 300m from Siam BTS, so pop by if you find yourself shopping here.
Image credit: Weeraya Chansathi via Wongnai
The vibes are not “authentic” as other boat noodle restaurants which are usually outdoors – but that’s a good thing. Tha Siam is air-conditioned, which means you can enjoy slurping down your noodles without sweating.
If you have no idea where to start, we recommend going for their Pork or Meat Noodles with Clear Soup (฿72, ~USD1.98) which has a lighter taste compared to the normal brown broth. The soup is not too spicy and is still flavourful, with a good portion of noodles and meat. But if you think you can handle the spice, opt for some Spicy Tom Yum Noodles (฿85, ~USD2.33). You can also order a set of Meatballs to go along with your noodles for ฿139 (~USD3.82).
Address: Siam Square Soi 10, Pathum Wan, Pathum Wan, Bangkok
Opening hours: 11am-9pm, Daily
Nearest train station: Siam BTS Station
Contact: +66 2 560 1700 | Google Maps
8. Phra Nakorn Boat Noodles
Image credit: Tinnapat Sawatdiraj via Wongnai
We get it if fumbling around unfamiliar neighbourhoods trying to find a local store is difficult, especially for tourists. So don’t worry – Kuay Tiew Rue Phra Nakorn is a restaurant located near Victory Monument with outlets in Centre One Shopping Mall, which is really easy to get to.
There are a couple of noodle choices for you to choose from, such as egg or glass noodles. It will be served in mini portions that cost ฿15 (~USD0.41), so go ahead and order a few bowls at once! They also offer Crispy Pork Snacks (฿15, ~USD0.41) and Fried Wonton (฿15, ~USD0.41) as sides. For dessert, try some Coconut Milk Custard (฿12, ~USD0.33), and if the broth spice is too much to handle, slurp down on some refreshing Longan Juice (฿27, ~USD0.74).
Address: 1 Ratchawithi Rd., Phayathai, Ratchathewi, Bangkok (3rd Floor, next to escalator)
Opening hours: 10am-9.30pm, Daily
Nearest train station: Victory Monument BTS Station
Contact: +66 89841 8558 | Google Maps
9. Atsawin Boat Noodles
Starting from ฿60 (~USD1.65), boat noodle dishes here are known to have very flavourful broth, so you don’t need to add any more condiments to your bowl. The flavour is unique, thanks to the restaurant’s own recipe, which pleases plentiful customers.
For those who love eating beef, we recommend ordering a bowl of Ramen Boat Noodles With Paleron at ฿99 (~USD2.72). You will like how tender the meat is and how well it goes together with the broth.
Address: 222 Thep Rak Rd, Tha Raeng, Bang Khen, Bangkok 10220
Opening hours: 10am-8pm, Daily
Contact: +66 9 7005 9575 | Atsawin Boat Noodles’s Facebook | Google Maps
10. P.O.N 71 Boat Noodles
Image credit: @p.o.n.71_noodle via Instagram
Located in Lat Pao 71, P.O.N 71 Boat Noodles decks their restaurant with galvanised panels and Japanese decorations, such as lanterns and Koinobori windsocks.
Image credit: @p.o.n.71_noodle via Instagram
They serve both pork noodles and beef noodles in clear broth, rich boat noodle broth, and tom yum broth from ฿20 (~USD0.55). The deliciousness here will make you eat enjoyably until you have a stack of empty bowls.
Address: 106 Soi Lat Phrao 71, Sa Phan Song, Wang Tong Lang, Bangkok 10310
Opening hours: 8.30am-3.30pm, Daily
Contact: +66 9 7005 9575 | P.O.N 71 Boat Noodles’s Facebook | Google Maps
11. Fly Boat Noodles
Image credit: @teow_reua_bin via Instagram
Chang Chui Plane Night Market is a busy characteristic hang-out for tons of Bangkokians. If you ever pay a visit to this place, don’t miss out on Fly Boat Noodles aka Teow Reua Bin.
Image credit: @teow_reua_bin via Instagram
You might wonder what’s exciting about this eatery that noodles lovers can’t miss. First, we love the red design of the place, and when it comes to the noodles, they offer mouth-watering Boat Noodles With U.S. Short Plate Sliced and Boat Noodles With New Zealand Tenderloin at ฿139 (~USD3.82).
Alternatively, you can enjoy their regular boat noodles from ฿25 (~USD0.69)/bowl.
Address: 460/8 Sirindhorn Rd, Khwaeng Bang Phlat, Bang Phlat, Bangkok 10700
Opening hours: 11am-8.30pm, Daily
Contact: +66 6 5626 5355 | Fly Boat Noodles’s Facebook | Google Maps
12. Song Ton Boat Noodles
For those who live in Nong Chok or near this district, you can try having a meal at Song Ton Boat Noodles. It’s a Halal boat noodles restaurant that serves a hot pot of boat noodles broth with beef slices to enjoy with your friends from ฿150 (~USD4.12).
Not noodles you can eat, but they have a wide selection of dishes, such as Green Curry, Oxtail Soup, Spicy Soup with intestines and more.
Address: Khok Faet, Nong Chok, Bangkok 10530
Opening hours: 4am-11pm, Daily
Contact: +66 8 4978 1787 | Song Ton Boat Noodles’s Facebook | Google Maps
Try kuay tiew rue when in Thailand
Kuay tiew rue is always one of Thai locals’ favourites that you should try when in Thailand – the tasty broth will definitely leave you coming back for more. Don’t forget to order as many bowls as you can to see how high your bowl stack can go!
Also, note that prices written here can change over time, so you can check out their prices on their Facebook pages for the most up-to-date information.
For more articles to enjoy, check out 10 Famous street food stalls in Bangkok that tourists have yet to discover, 50 famous Thai dishes to eat in Bangkok before you die, and Here Hai: a seafood restaurant in Bangkok that serves XXL fried rice with real crab meat
Cover image adapted from: @teow_reua_bin via Instagram and ชีวิตเซลล์ช่างยากลำบาก via Wongnai
Article originally published by Petpailin Kirdsaeng on October 2019, last updated by Bank Fasaisirinan on October 2023.