18/12/2024
What are Sukhothai Noodles?
Originally, the people of Sukhothai called it "Thai Noodles." (ก๋วยเตี๋ยวไทย).
This noodle dish can be traced back in the era of Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram's era (1938-1944 and 1948-1957). It was a period of intense nationalism and modernization in Thailand. Phibun aimed to create a strong, unified Thai identity, and this extended to promoting certain cultural practices, including food. Phibun's government actively promoted the consumption of noodles, particularly Pad Thai, as a way to foster national unity and a sense of shared Thai identity.
Noodles were seen as:
Affordable and Accessible: Noodles were a relatively inexpensive food that could be enjoyed by people of all social classes, making them a unifying dish.
Easy to Prepare: This made them practical for both vendors and home cooks, contributing to their widespread adoption.
Distinctly "Thai": While noodles originated in China, the Thai variations, with their unique ingredients and flavors, were promoted as a symbol of Thai culinary ingenuity. The promotion of Pad Thai, in particular, was a calculated move to create a "national dish" that could be easily made and enjoyed by Thais across the country.
While pad thai was the dish most actively promoted by the government, Sukhothai Noodles, known for local people as "Thai Noodles," likely also benefited from the general promotion of noodle consumption during Phibun's era.
Unique Characteristics: Sukhothai Noodles are unique for their use of thinly sliced long beans, palm sugar, roasted ground peanuts, pork cracklings, and lime, which differentiates them from other types of noodles.
Slicing Long Beans: They must be sliced thinly and diagonally, blanched after the noodles, and quickly tossed with garlic-infused pork oil to keep the beans crispy and prevent the noodles from sticking together.
Palm Sugar: In the past, granulated sugar was scarce, so people used palm sugar instead. Placing the palm sugar on the noodles, drizzling it with fish sauce, and squeezing lime over it helps the palm sugar dissolve easily and blends the flavors well.
Pork Cracklings: In the old days, vegetable oil wasn't available, so people used lard. Pork cracklings were added to the noodles to prevent them from sticking. Later, people enjoyed the crunchy texture of the cracklings, so it became a popular ingredient.
Ground Peanuts, Chili Powder: Added to enhance the richness, intensity, and flavor.
Meat: Originally, boiled pork with a bit of fat was used. Nowadays, red pork and other ingredients are added.
Chopped culantro, this potent herb, with its bold, citrusy flavor elevates the aroma to this regional specialty.
Sukhothai Noodles have evolved over time. Originally, they were known for being a dry dish made exclusively with thin rice noodles. Today, you'll find a wider range of options, from soup versions to different noodles like egg noodles, reflecting the dish's adaptation to modern tastes.
Immerse yourself in the rich history, vibrant culture and connect with the warm-hearted people of Sukhothai with SukhoJai!
