My Egg Noodles

Hong Kong Noodles at Changi Airport, Singapore.

I’m now back in Thailand, in Mukdahan to be precise, and just had my first lunch since I’ve been back. I opted for my recent found love; DIY Hong Kong Noodles, which I make myself using 2 dishes available at the popular MK restaurant.

I have covered the nationwide MK Restaurant chain before, way back in 2008, and it still remains one of my favorite best-value restaurants in Thailand. I’m still not keen on the Suki part (I leave that to the missus and friends), however I am a sucker for their roasted red pork, duck and bamboo spring rolls.

Even though I dine at MK on a weekly basis while in Thailand, it’s only recently I figured out how to make some Hong Kong Noodles that very nearly match the real deal.

So what makes a great bowl of Hong Kong Noodles? Well for me, it starts with light fresh thin egg noodles that are not starchy and not clogged together. Some chunky Asian greens help, and some succulent roasted red pork is a must. This should all be mixed together by a sauce that should mix sweet, meaty, salty and sour in harmony with each other. There shouldn’t be any firecrackers when you taste the sauce, it should just taste.. well… comforting and balanced. Oh, and we can’t forget the crispy garlic.

The best place to get Hong Kong Noodles in my opinion is in Singapore, as well as in Hong Kong of course. However if your in Thailand, I urge you to give this a go… it’s so easy and is by far the best way I’ve found, to get my Kong Kong Noodle fix.

First up, I like to order the Roasted Red Pork and Crispy Pork dish. At only 110฿, this has got to be one of the best-value dishes I have ever come across.

Next, the Egg Noodles. I always opted for the Green Noodles before I tried the yellow variety and since I’ve tasted these, there is no turning back.

Simply mix the meat, sauce (the sauce is the key here which brings this dish alive), noodles and garlic and wholla, you have a tasty bowl of Hong Kong Noodles!

A few questions…

1. If you are currently in Thailand, will you give this ago?
2. Where is the best place you’ve had Hong Kong Noodles?

I’ve been dreaming about not only eating Japanese food, but any food other than Thai for the last few weeks. This is what happens when you grow up eating food from all over the world, then suddenly have to stick to the same cuisine for weeks on end due to living out in the boonies. Like a pregnant women with her weird and wacky cravings, I have been craving Sushi. Even dreaming about Sushi. Sushi yeah. Sushi.

On route to London I made sure I had enough time to visit the newly opened Japanese restaurant, Fuji, in Ubon Ratchathani. There are Fuji stores nationwide in Thailand and offer very reasonable priced dishes and set menus with excellent service. Highly recommend.

Here we have Tuna and Salmon Sushi – my faves, along with fried cheese in a light pastry, which were non greasy and really tasty.

I had planned to go all out on a Sushi binge, until I noticed this Mulloway fish set menu. I’ve never tried Mulloway before, so thought I’d give it a shot. And boy am I glad I did. The fish was cooked perfectly with crispy skin, tasted very light and had a beautiful flaky texture – perfect!

Have you tried Fuji Japanese restaurant in Thailand before? If so, what do you think of it? Any other good Japanese restaurants in Thailand you can recommend?

Since I last updated this blog, it’s been a crazy 12 days or so. I fractured my rib, got man flu and my notebook died on me, hence infrequent updates recently.

Along with working my arse off and moving into a new apartment, I’m also trying to live a healthy lifestyle, with regular exercise and keeping an eye on my diet. It’s not been easy with a fractured rib, but with dedication it seems to be working as I lost 6kg over the last 6 weeks! So all in all, I’m feeling on top of the world at the moment.

Anyway, here’s a quick video tour of the small apartment I have rented here in Mukdahan (North East Thailand) for a couple of months. I wanted you guys can get an idea of what you can get for a measly $70 per month, in one of the coolest places in South East Asia!

My missus has just come back from spending 5 days at a Buddhist temple in the middle of a forest located in Nikom Kham Soi, Mukdahan.

While there she learned about Buddhism and best practices for life in general, taught by female monks, some of whom have been at the temple for over 20 years.

While there, she could not talk to anyone, and had to follow a pretty strict daily routine which consisted off:

3.00 Wake up, brush teeth etc.
3.30 Pay homage to the Buddha image
11.00 Lunch – It was important she wasn’t full, so just needed to eat enough to satisfy her hunger pains. Also, she must eat everything, including every single grain of rice on the plate.
15.00 Shower + wash clothes
16.50 Drink soy milk
17.00 Walk very slowly while meditating for 1 hour (barefoot)
19.00 Pay homage to the Buddha image
21.30 Sleep

While not busy, she would spend her time meditating.

She enjoyed it, while I was a little lost not being able to contact her for 5 days. Anyway, here are a few images I took when I dropped her off at the temple.

Female monks eating from the buffet spread which is put on every day.

2 short term female monks (I know as they have long hair) meditating.

I only know the Thai name for a proper female monk, although don’t know the English translation (can anyone help?). Anyway, here is a proper female monk (i.e no hair) relaxing.

My missus is on the left, with another lady who are about to enroll (that’s not the right word… but I hope you get what I mean)… being greeted by a female monk.

Apprently you come in as the lady on the left, and leave as the lady on the right. Clear mind, better understanding of your inner self, values etc.

The beautiful area in and around Nikom Kham Soi – 30km from Mukdahan’s main town.