Sri Petaling's Thong Bowl pays a luxe tribute to Thai boat noodles

KUALA LUMPUR, March 31 — In the Klang Valley, Thai boat noodles seem to be having a mini revival at Thong Bowl.

Once a staple in almost every shopping mall, diners flocked to boat noodles restaurants for the tiny bowls filled with beef noodles that were fun... and to challenge each other on how many bowls they could eat.

Now, the newly-opened Thong Bowl has elevated the noodles with premium beef and a spray of gold dust... for that glitzy Tik Tok moment. It may sound kitsch but believe me, this boat noodles is for serious beef lovers.

Boat noodles are said to have their origins in the 1940s, where small bowls of deliciousness were sold extensively on boats in Bangkok. As there's the danger of carrying a full bowl of soup while paddling a boat, the peddlers would serve small bowls that made it easier to hold in one hand.

You won't find small bowls here as it's one large bowl where you'll slurp down every drop of the intense dark brown beef broth.

Look for the restaurant at the super busy stretch of shophouses at Sri Petaling

The menu offers different toppings for your noodles, whether it's soup or dry. Start with the basic Australian sourced sliced beef. You can also add braised brisket and beef balls to the bovine ensemble.

For the premium selections, there's a choice of Australian Wagyu with its marbled beef or the ultimate Japanese A5 Miyazaki Wagyu. Prices start from RM24.90 for the sliced beef. For diehard beef fans, the Miyazaki Wagyu at RM58.90 is a must order as the texture of the flambeed sliced beef is sumptuous.

If you're not into spicy food, get the plain broth. On the table, there's chilli oil, sugar or their homemade chilli vinegar. Use this to tweak the taste of the noodles to the spiciness your tongue can tolerate.

For diehard beef lovers, go for the ultimate Japanese A5 Miyazaki Wagyu beef with its flambeed beef slice that has a high marbling

You can also select three levels of spiciness, so dare yourself to sweat it out with the highest level. If you're unsure about your tolerance level, select the level one spiciness that is mild with a pleasant buzz.

Your bowl can also be customised with your choice of noodles, whether it's the Thai flat noodles, glass noodles or vermicelli. You can also add beef balls, braised brisket and the three types of sliced beef.

Rice lovers can order their newly introduced rice bowls topped with beef. Non-beef eaters can opt for their chicken noodles.

What adds to the whole dining experience here is their interesting appetisers. Top on the must-eat list is the kangkung fritters (RM13.90) for its addictiveness. Who knew greens encased in a fluffy, crunchy deep fried batter can taste so good!

'Kangkung' fritters is addictive with that crunchy batter coating the vegetables

You also have the unusual salted egg fried coconut (RM18.90) where strips of the coconut flesh is deep fried and tossed with salted egg yolk. While the salted egg taste is mild, the dish has an appealing crunchy texture that makes it a nice snack to nibble on.

In addition, there's also drinks and desserts from Tomi Yami, another brand that shares the same premises with the restaurant. The shaved ice desserts Bubu Cha Cha, Kumquat Aiyu and Dino Milo will be perfect to cool down your tongue especially after the spicy boat noodles.

The unusual fried coconut has a mild taste of salted egg yolk

For Ramadan, they are offering two set menus. It caters for four people so it's time to call more friends or family to share the spread of dishes.

Set A for RM169.90 has two portions of soup noodles with sliced beef and braised brisket, one portion of sliced beef rice bowl, and Wagyu beef noodles. The rice bowl and the Wagyu beef noodles are also served with braised brisket and beef balls.

Complementing your meal is the crowd favourite kangkung fritters and salted egg fried coconut. There's also fried wantan too. The drinks served with this ensemble include Thai milk tea and lime iced tea.

The place can get busy during the weekends with diners

For Set B, it's RM219.90 for a decadent spread of one portion of Wagyu beef noodles, one portion of sliced Wagyu beef rice bowl with an egg plus radish, and two portions of the ultimate Japanese A5 Miyazaki Wagyu beef noodles.

All the items come with braised brisket, while the Japanese Miyazaki Wagyu beef noodles also have beef balls. You also have appetisers like kangkung fritters, salted egg fried coconut and fried wantan too. Cool off with lychee pandan cooler and Thai milk tea.

Thong Bowl

9-G, Jalan Radin Bagus, Bandar Baru Sri Petaling, Kuala Lumpur.

Open: 11.30am to 3.30pm, 5.30pm to 10.30pm. Closed on Tuesday.

Tel:03-90542236. You can also WhatsApp +6012-8938571 to book.

Instagram: @thongbowl

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087454162083

* Follow us on Instagram @eatdrinkmm for more food gems.