Premium Boat Noodles at Thong Smith

Previously:

The House Lounge by Aspire, Sydney International Airport

The iconic Sawasdee Ronald McDonald

Back last year, when we were in Thailand, we had this grand noodle boat from Thong Smith restaurant.  We fell in love right away with their rich and thick broth as well as the use of premium quality meat.  Although for a bowl of beef noodle boat in Thongs Smith, it could cost $7 while usually out there is only half the price.  And the price for wagyu noodle boat starts from 299 bath or around $14 per bowl.  

Okay, so it's not exactly cheap, but trust me, it's worth every cent!! Normally, when I have a noodle boat, I need to add the four-elements seasoning to balance the broth flavour like sugar, chilli, vinegar, and fish sauce.  But with Thong Smith's noodle boat, I don't have to add anything in.  The taste is already that great, it's spot on. 

I recommend ordering some crispy pork lard as well.  This tiny golden pork fat will lift up your dish to a heavenly level.  If beef is not your thing, not to worry, they also serve pork noodle that comes in dry or soup.   

Sliced Australian wagyu, beef ball, braised shank and tendon 329 THB / AUD 15

Crispy pork lard

Braised shank 89 THB & tendon 89 THB

My next favourite dish here is hands down to this deep-fried wonton.  They were not oily at all, yet it comes with generous amount of meat filling.  They went well together with plum dipping sauce.

Some fruity soda drink to wash down the piquancy from the pork blood

Thong Smith Mega Bangna

Open 7 days a week from 10 am - 10 pm

There are many other branches across Bangkok such as in Central Embassy, Siam Paragon, Terminal 21, Central World and a few more.

Stay tuned for the next blog, we went to Shanghai over the New Year:

Turkish Airlines Lounge in Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Bangkok

Hawkesbury River Oyster Shed in Mooney Mooney and Walkabout Wildlife Sanctuary

Lovely day, lovely breeze, perfect excuse to ditch the couch and have some awesome outdoor adventurous.  One weekend when weather forecast said it would be a fantastic day to engage in outdoor activities and soak up the natural beauty around us, we used this chance to do a short-day trip to Mooney Mooney and nearby. 

A brief stop at Beecroft to fuel our tummy with some delicious coffee early in the morning.  To be honest, we've never been to Beecroft before and we randomly entered a coffee shop right at the entrance of Beecroft Place Shopping mall (sorry, can't remember the name was). As this is not our main purpose visiting this suburb, so we didn't wander around too long.  But I noticed that there are many interesting shops and restaurants in this suburb and I'll definitely make our way here again soon.  

Taro latte and lemon tart

Our second stop for the day was this oyster farm along Hawkesbury River.  There are a few oyster farms in the area but we landed in this Hawkesbury River Oyster Shed.  We picked this place purely from Google review.  Once we tried their fresh oyster, we definitely agree with the reviewers.  

There is an open dining space area facing the water.  Their seafood is super super fresh.  Pricing wise is pretty reasonable.  We got ourselves half dozen each, Sydney Rocks $22 for half dozen and Pacific oysters $25 for half dozen.  They were too good until we need to get more of those oysters and we went for something fancy which was oyster cooked in truffle butter.  Although, truffle butter added flavour into the oyster.  I, to be honest still prefer my oyster when they are raw with bouncy texture and simply added a dash of lemon on top. 

 

Lucky, we came early, because right after we left, I saw more cars coming in and lots of them cannot find a car park.  

From fresh superlicious oyster, we then moved on to a small zoo in Central Coast region, named Walkabout Wildlife Sanctuary.  This place is quite tiny compared to other zoos, however, my kids had their best time here.  They can get very close to some animals like kangaroos, wallabies, and even pat a koala and rabbits because in here they let those animals freely roaming around in the open area.

Adult price is $38 and $22 for a kid, I suggest you purchase ticket online as the price is cheaper through online. 

Hawkesbury River Oyster Shed

6 Kowan Street, Mooney Mooney

Ph: 0423 285 867

Open: Thursday - Sunday 10am - 4pm

Walkabout Wildlife Sanctuary

1 Darkinjung Road, Calga

Ph: 02 4375 1100

Open: Everyday from 9:30am - 5pm 

The House Lounge by Aspire, Sydney International Airport

We headed back to Bangkok over Christmas and New Years holiday. Taking a break from a fixed job to spend some quality time with family and friends as well as making a short 5 days 4 nights trip to Shanghai and Suzhou during New Years.

Ok, first off, we chilled in the House Airport Lounge for a couple of hours before departing. Based on travelers’ review, this lounge has pretty good feedbacks and it is near our gate as well. It is located before gate 50.  Our flight was in the morning, so during that early hour, the lounge was pretty much still empty. 

If you are a serious traveller, you surely need this priority pass membership. You can have access to airport lounges in more that 140 countries around the world.  Either to savour the delicious food or to relax in comfort before flying or to freshen yourself in a hot shower while waiting for your next flight or all together at the same time.  It is totally your choice.  Their membership benefits are well worth the money spent. 

Some booze to start our wonderful holiday

There were a few types of pastries, light breakfast menu like scrambled eggs, yogurt but not so much hot food. Tea, coffee and cocktails are part of the deal too.

If you come with kids, then this place is definitely suit you as they have this tiny room dedicated for kids play room.

We flew with Thai airways that day. Plane was full, so a little too noisy.  But as usual, their food was great and friendly service too.

The House Lounge by Aspire, Sydney 

Sydney International Airport Pier C

International Terminal 1 Departures

Before gate 50

Priority Pass

Access to Airport Lounges

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Bangkok:

Premium Boat Noodles at Thong Smith

VN Street Foods, Marrickville.

Marrickville is like a little Saigon town to me and Illawarra road is like Vietnam-ville in Sydney, with restaurant side by side.  Some are slammed with folks hangry for pho', while others are not so much.  We rolled up with zero plan, so we're going with the crowd - if it's packed, it must be good, right?  So, we landed to this VN Street Foods Restaurant.  Everytime we pass around this area, this place is hardly ever empty.  The one in the corner is where you place your order, not so many tables in there but then right next door, you can find more seats and they are basically the same store.   

 

Homemade spring rolls $8

Deep fried pork sausage $8

This pork sausage was very very delicious.  Minced pork was well seasoned and then deep fried to the stage where the outer part was golden and crisp while inside still juicy and bouncy.

Roast pork from the special menu

Bun Cha - Grilled lemongrass pork with rice vermicelli and salad $14.50 

Their bun cha was absolutely delightful.  I can easily smell charredness of the meat and the broth was aromatic and flavoursome.  Eating them with some rice vermicelli and salad, it makes the dish light, refreshing as well giving my mouth a happy dance.    

Combination fried rice $15.50

Bento box $16 - lemongrass beef, stir fried kangkong with garlic, eggplant pickle and sweet & sour soup with beef

If you have too many choices in your head, want this want that and can't decide, like me.  I go with the bento box where you can design your own perfect meal.  You can choose one item each from five different sections all together, from rice, main dish, veggie, salad and soup.  They are very generous with the portion.  Taste wise, of course it cannot beat that bun cha.  But still this dish was so filling and healthy and definitely cheap.

VN Street Foods

294/296 Illawarra Road, Marrickville

PH: 02 9559 4149

Open: Everyday from 11am - 9pm