Tying Thais Together at Pye Boat Noodle
- Petch Wattanasawang
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
Courtesy of Petch Wattanasawang
New York City has always been known for its culture, finance, and fashion. In a city so big, fast food and to-go restaurants dominate, leaving some people to forget to take the time to appreciate how local businesses have evolved over time. Ellis Island has welcomed immigrants from all around the world since the 19th century, and the movement of people continues today. That is one of the reasons why New York City is among the few cities that can provide the most authentic dishes from different cuisines, far away from home. As an international student from Thailand, I am always on the hunt for new Thai restaurants in the city that could help with homesickness through the familiarity of taste. I discovered this restaurant through a friend’s instagram post and was surprised by the architectural and interior design. Unlike many Thai restaurants found in the city, the 19th century designed wooden blue doors attracted me like a portal to Thailand. Pye Boat Noodle offers hawker style dishes ranging from rich boat noodles, like Kuay Tiew Rua, to quick rice dishes, like Khao Moo Daeng, that take you straight back to sitting alongside the roads of Bangkok. Let’s take a culinary journey of what the restaurant has to offer with its taste of Thailand.
Kuay Tiew Rua Moo (Boat Noodles with Pork)
A deeply flavored Thai noodle soup that traces its origins to the floating markets of central Thailand. This dish gets its name from the small boats vendors once used to paddle through canals, serving steaming bowls to customers. The restaurant uses a play on words and thus named itself Pye Boat Restaurant with Pye meaning “Paddle” in Thai. The star of the dish is its broth: a dark aromatic liquid simmered for hours with pork bones, blood, and spices. Each bowl is served with tender slices of pork, crispy pork rinds, pork meatballs, and your choice of rice noodles. You can select from sen lek (thin rice noodles), sen yai (wide flat noodles), or sen mee (angel hair thin vermicelli), allowing each person to customize their bowl to their preferred texture and bite. The soup is normally served in tiny bowls of tiny portions, encouraging diners to order multiple bowls with some vendors creating fun challenges, such as free dinner if they finish 100 bowls in an hour. However, Pye Boat noodles serve their noodles in a massive bowl perfect for one! Morning glory, bean sprouts, and Thai basil add freshness, while a squeeze of lime and a spoonful of chili vinegar allow each person to customize the heat and acidity to their liking.
Ba Mee Moo Daeng Hang (Dry Egg Noodles with Red Pork)
This dish represents the essence and beauty of Thai noodle dishes with a focus on its bouncy yellow egg noodles tossed in a savory sweet sauce The centerpiece is moo daeng, or Chinese style red pork that has been marinated and then roasted/grilled until glazed and caramelized. The noodles themselves are dressed simply with dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, and rendered pork fat, creating a glossy coating that clings to every strand. The nice addition of small chunks of crab meat sprinkled over the dish, creating the perfect authentic dish that is equally served in Thailand.
Khao Moo Daeng (Rice with Red Pork)
One of Thailand’s comfort foods, a fluffy jasmine rice crowned with generous slices of the signature red pork. The accompanying sauce is what elevates the juicy gravy made from the pork's cooking juices and sugar, creating a glossy coating. Hard boiled eggs, sliced cucumbers, and cilantro provide some contrast and brightness. Many vendors also include a small bowl of clear soup on the side to help balance the meal’s richness.
Kra Jeab (Roselle Drink)
A refreshing Thai beverage made from dried hibiscus flowers. If you have ever been to Mexico, Kra Jeab resembles the Jamaica drink but with a lighter taste to it. This drink offers a perfect balance between sweet and sour, making it an ideal companion to the rich and savory Thai dishes. Served over ice, it feels like heaven as it cools you in Thailand's heat. Some versions include a squeeze of lime for extra brightness or a pinch of salt to enhance the complex flavor layers. However this drink at Pye Boat is served with a standard taste applicable to everyone who is looking for a refreshing drink.
For me, and hopefully for everyone else, Pye Boat Noodle offers more than just a meal, but rather an experience. From the antique swinging doors and down to earth style architecture to the hard to find dishes abroad, it takes us straight back to the calming canals and bustling streets of Bangkok. For many Thai peiple living abroad, a visit here feels like a short trip back home. As for others, it's a trailer into the diverse culinary world that defines Thailand’s food culture. Who knows, after a taste of Pye, you might find yourself at JFK bound for Thailand.