High on spice – Kuay Jab at Nai Ek
It´s spicy, but not the way you think. No chili to be spotted in this delicious Kuay Jab. It´s white pepper, the crown of peppers. And it´s a lot of it. Actually they use big bags of pepper to make this very famous and tasteful dish, originating from Southern China. Small pieces of pork, including a piece or two of ribs and chunks of crispy pork belly.
Kuay Jab (Guay Jab) at Nai Ek at 442 Yaowarat rd.
The Kuay Jab (sometimes written Kuay Jap or Guay Jab) is served with rolled tubes of rice noodles (or at some vendors with cooked white rice). There are plenty of vendors making this dish. Most of the good once are to be found in Chinatown. There are some variations from vendor to vendor, but the very peppery broth is a constant. Light variations of the dish normally adds up to garlic, lettuce, fresh herbs like cilantro or tofu where the herbs or tofu is the most common once. You actually find two type of broths. Nay Lek serves Kuay Jab Nam Sai which is a clear pork soup. The other version, which you might find in Convent road, is the dark version with five spices which is called Kuay Jab Nam Kon.
A focused worke at Nai Ek
Nai Ek is using noodles and no white rice. Hi is also one of the more famous Kuay jab makers, thanks to a perfect mix of noodles, the clear and peppery broth and the very fresh ingredients. It´s such a delicious tasteful dish, so make sure you don’t miss it. And don’t be scare of the pepper, but let the first couple of mouthfuls rest for a second or two before you swallow to let your taste buds get used to it. It´s popular with locals, including students from the university close by, so expect to queue if you come at rush hour, early in the evenings. Don’t get me wrong, it´s worth the hassle.
Late evening outside Nai Ek at 442 Yaowarat Rd.
They serve other dishes as well, like khao khaa moo (stewed pork leg with rice) and khao moo daeng (red pork with rice and sauce), but the highlight is for me the delicious crispy pork and the peppery kick from the broth (40 Bath).
Nai Ek. You know it´s popular when the local police is grabbing in on the food.
Name: Kuay Jab Nai Ek (Auan) where Nai Lek is the name
Food: Kuay Jab (sometimes written Guay Jab, Guay Jub, Guay Chap, Kuay Jub or even Kuay Chaps due to the construction of the Thai alphabet).
Price: 40B
Open: Tue-Sun 6pm-12:30am. Check some say Daily 9am-1am.
Address: 442 Yaowarat Rd.
How to get there: The corner of Yaowarat Soi 9 (very narrow Soi).
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