10 PLACES TO SINK YOUR TEETH INTO BRAISED BEEF IN BANGKOK

Some foods never go out of style. From trendy Kobe noodles to broth brewed for half a century, BK has been scouring the city for the absolute best braised beef in Bangkok.

Sangaa

The Thonglor nightlife barons of Zudrangman Records and Studio Lam have a daytime gig selling braised beef noodles from a 50-yearold family recipe at Mahachai, Samut Sakhon. Laden with hand-painted signs and lukthung and molam motifs, this shophouse churns out beef noodles with braised beef and gravy over rice. Wednesdays are juicy braised beef kaprao Sukhumvit Soi 51, 062 626 1797, Open Mon-Sat 10.30am-7.30pm

Ten Suns

Though the old Chinatown neighborhood of Woeng Nakorn Kasem seems to have vanished, the legendary beef soup of Chew Nuea Wua Raitamitra is being kept alive thanks to the grandson of the restaurant’s original owner. Inside the revamped shophouse, you can see Chanyanpat Tiveschayun season and braise his beef for 4-5 hours using his grandfather’s recipe. Order a bowl of beef soup with brisket, short plate, and shank (B100), or go for a bowl of each separately (B120-180).

Wisut Kasat, Bang Khun Phrom, Phra Nakhon, 02-282-1853. Open Tue-Sun 10am-4pm

Wattana Panich

This might not be the oldest beef joint, but if we’re talking about the oldest broth in Bangkok, this Ekkamai noodles specialist is by far the winner, using the same soup as when it moved to its current premises almost 50 years ago. The B100 bowls are made from an old family recipe and attract all walks of Bangkok life, from Sukhumvit socialites to taxi drivers and tourists.

336 Ekkamai Soi 18, 02-391-7264. Open daily 10am-8pm

BK PICK Nuea Toon Nang Loeng

Currently run by its third generation, this braised beef noodle shop is almost impossible to get a seat at for lunch hour. Accompanying the five-hour braised beef is a savory broth packed with aroma. Order a side of rice (B6) for your braised beef soup (B60) and soak up the flavor.

11 Nakorn Sawan Soi 2, 02-282-0608. Open Mon-Sat 10am-2:30pm

NEW Rongklannuer

A crumbling two-storey shophouse tucked away on a quiet Songwat street has found a second life as an indie braised beef spot, Rongklannuea, winning hipsters’ hearts through its hearty bowls of fatty meat. The prices aren’t cheap, but the quality speaks for itself. Try the Emperor braised beef noodle (B250), the most lavish option on offer featuring a medley of braised beef, beef balls, sliced tenderloin, tendon, and beef tongue— all topped with sweet chili oil and crisp garlic. Add patongo dough to wipe up the soup.

937 939 Song Wat Rd, 063-830-6335. Tue-Sun 10am-8pm

Heng Chun Seng

This Klong Toey institution has been serving Bangkok’s finest beef broth for decades. The mixed beef hot pot—loaded with chunks of melt-in-your-mouth beef, meatballs, and innards along with a heartwarming broth and fresh morning glory—make this neighborhood hole-in-the-wall a hit with locals of all ages.

133 Sunthorn Kosa Rd., 02-249-2329. Open daily 7am-8pm

Sia Laitiemtan Beef Stews

Arguably the oldest beef joint in Bangkok, Sia Beef Stew has an enduring legacy of 80 years in its arsenal, serving a very affordable bowl of noodles (B70) and kao lao (B90). Those who want something more upscale can order Kobe beef (B110) or go for the large hotpot for B350.

9, 16 Kanchanaphisek Rd, Bang Phai. 085-554-5891. Open daily 8am-5pm

Neua Toon Thanam Sathu Pradit

Originally a tiny near-riverside stall, this Rama 3 beef spot has slowly expanded its empire, opening its permanent spot in a two-storey shophouse along with the other two branches in Nanglinchee and Charoen Nakhon. The original venue is always packed throughout the day, but if you manage to get in, order their PHD hotpot (B280) loaded with the beef of your choice (up to 15 varieties). They also have the smaller version of preschool noodle (B80) and elementary noodles (B100) for single servings.

684 Sathu Pradit Rd., 02-682-0156. Open Mon-Sat 8am-4pm

BK PICK Zhong Zhong Mian

Despite not being a Thai beef noodle joint, Huang Kwang’s Chongqing noodle specialist has some of the best braised beef in town. Fresh and springy noodles in the braised beef (B160) arrive with a month-numbing heady broth that’s almost restorative. The gelatinous chunks of beef need only the smallest effort to chew. Also, be sure to order their duck intestine (B150).

2, 3 Pracha Rat Bamphen Rd, Huai Khwang, 065-9561011, Open daily 10am-9:30pm

BK PICK Fuk Yuan Suki Seafood

They say you can judge how pretentious a restaurant is by the decor. In that case, this Hong Kong spot approaches zero. The venue offers a wide array of authentic Chinese dishes, along with Hong Kong classics. Order the rice clay plot (B250) crowded with velvety strips of beef coating each savory grain. The best part is the crispy layer of rice underneath—so addictive it should probably be illegal.

68 Soi Ratchadaphisek 17, Open daily 5pm-midnight ●