New beef noodle joint in Bangkok’s Chinatown quickly gains big fan base

By Porpor Leelasestaporn

Nov 21, 2022 | 3:16pm Bangkok time

Despite being open for less than a month, this beef noodle spot has already garnered a loyal fan base and queues regularly pile up across the street.

A crumbling two-storey shophouse tucked away on a quiet Songwat street has found a second life as an indie braised beef spot, Rong Klan Nuea, winning hipsters’ hearts through its hearty bowls of fatty meat.

On the ground floor, a massive pot filled with luscious cuts of beef greets you with its rich, herby aroma, which will make your wait for a bowl even more unbearable. Few seats and tables are available and, at some point, the place might get so crowded that lines extend across the street (insider tip: go after 3pm when the crowds start to die down).

The second floor, despite being vacant, has plenty of natural light and a lovely spot overlooking the boiling pot below; don’t trip or you might end up on the menu in their next batch.

Considering it’s so far from the Sukhumvit area, the prices aren’t cheap, but the quality speaks for itself. On our visit, we tried the Emperor braised beef noodle (THB250), the most lavish option on offer featuring a medley of braised beef, beef balls, sliced tenderloin, tendons, and beef tongue — all topped with sweet chili oil and crisp garlic. It’s simplicity itself: the beef was soft but not dissolving while the savory-sweet sauce on the top keeps you yearning for more. Add the patongo dough (THB20) to sop up the soup or let them soak up while indulging.

If that sounds like too much, there’s the regular beef noodle (THB95) with added toppings for THB60 each or rice with chicken gravy sauce (THB100).

Rong Klan Nuea is located in Soi Song Wat and can be reached from MRT Wat Mangkhon. It’s open 10am until 8pm every day except Monday.