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I really recommend the Ari area because it's such a hub of good food . Even though I don't live nearby, it's always worth the BTS trip to Ari just to discover new places to eat. This is a multi-floor boat noodle (guay tiew reua) restaurant in the SnanNapa food square and has a distinct red colour scheme. I'm surprised that this doesn't have more of an online presence, considering that I always see it popular at lunchtime with the locals. They mainly serve beef or pork boat noodles, but they also have a shabu menu. Here are some pictures of the menu (all in Thai):
Boat noodles have a relatively long history; they were created in the period of Plaek Phibunsongkhram in 1942 and were originally served from boats in Bangkok's canals, hence the name. I find that most of the boat noodles you will find in Bangkok to be quiet similar, and only a few differentiate themselves with their toppings or a slight variation of the soup. The broth at this restaurant has a deep flavour with a strong garlic aftertaste, and the noodles are customizable to your preference. I personally like sen yai (large rice noodles), because I think it complements the meaty stock and absorbs the soup well. If you order the special size, they give you a lot of toppings, which are all texturally different and delicious. My favourite topping are the beef tendons, which are tender and easy to eat. I think the vegetables are the worst topping. I wouldn't order the vegetables; I always find it too fibrous, and it doesn't work well with the soup.
The wontons on the menu, look really filled, but the actual wontons have barely any filling. That being said, they taste nice and are fried perfectly. Not too oily and very crispy. The small amount of filling is actually very yummy; I think they put a small egg yolk inside it to give it some creaminess. They serve it with a green sauce I would normally eat with seafood (coriander-based garlic chilli sauce), which is surprising nice with the wontons.
Overall, Ong Tiew satisfies my craving for spicy Thai-style boat noodles. It comes with lots of toppings, so it's never boring to eat. Definitely on the pricey side for what you’re getting, but definitely very consistent. I think it's still cheaper and has a more defined flavour profile than compared to Thong Smith's noodles. I love ordering extra sides to add texture and variety to the meal. Not a bad choice for a simple and fast meal if you're in the Ari area.
TLDR: Flavourful boat noodles with lots of toppings
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