It may be stated that the southern railway line connecting Bangkok to Padang Besar during the reign of King Rama V was an important point of origin that also brought noodle culinary culture to Hat Yai. The railway line provided a “gateway of opportunity” for people of various races and faiths to immigrate, trade, work, and live.
Noodles of various types, soups of various flavors, incorporating pork, duck, fish, or chicken stewed until soft or boiled until juicy, with value added by side vegetables such as bean sprouts, morning glory, and Chinese kale. As so many spectacular things, the bowl of noodles has become an iconic food that reflects the coexistence of people within a multicultural society, including Thai, Chinese, and Muslim. It is a food culture that forms part of the city’s identity, and welcomes visitors with pride. This is why Hat Yai has been called the “Holy Temple of Noodles”, with no exaggeration.
Many people’s favorite noodle shops include Kim Lun Noodles, Sang Yun Hakka Style Noodles, Fat Kong Noodles, Je Mai Yen Ta Fo, Jae Nong Pork and Bitter Melon Noodles, Traditional Recipe Crispy Pork Noodles with Thick Soup, Kon Chicken Noodles, Montree Duck Noodles, Khok Samet Chun Beef Noodles, Super Bang Beef Noodles, Ros-Slim Boat Noodles, and many more shops that we haven’t mentioned.
The wealth of noodle dishes in Hat Yai City include Chinese and Muslim style noodles, such as Teochew fish noodles and Yen Ta Fo, Hokkien style Ba Mee Hun noodles, homemade Hainanese fish ball noodles, the ever-popular Hakka noodles, as well as Cantonese style noodles.
In addition, the Muslim style noodles in Hat Yai City are made in various flavors and styles: a strong aroma of spices, stewed beef in a rich soup, boat noodles with Halal ingredients, or red sauce chicken noodles with homemade fish balls.
Brother Fook – Mr. Krailert Chiwakulprasit age 61 years, owner of Sang Yun Hakka Style Noodle Shop, says that their original “Khae noodles” of the Hakka Chinese have a distinctive and delicious taste due to the homemade meatballs, including bald meatballs and Hakka meatballs, and stuffed bitter melon, stuffed tofu, and mackerel balls, in addition to stewed beef, kao yuk or steamed pork belly with pickled vegetables that are so tender that they melt in your mouth.
His shop is located on Hoi Muk Road, to the front of Saeng Thong Witthaya School, and has been in business for over 50 years. The recipe was originally developed by his father, who was a dedicated chef and was always hired to cook for outside catering events. Initially, he sold noodles from a cart before expanding to his current premises and a second branch located near the new market.
“Our shop is popular among both Hat Yai locals and tourists, both Thai and foreign, because our food is delicious and good value, at between 50 to 90 baht per bowl. Some regular customers have been patrons since their parents’ generation, and now their children also” – Brother Fook.