We’ve heard of recipes passed down from generation to generation, but what about food that’s been cooking for generations in the kitchen?
Wattana Panich is famed for the latter, with its legendary beef broth having simmered for almost 50 years since its opening. Located on Ekkemai Road, Wattana Panich is a popular street food spot whose larger-than-life cauldron of simmering stew and chopped meats greets you as soon as you enter.
Now, I know what you’re thinking – how can soup simmering past its typical shelf life be safe for consumption? A small amount of broth is kept at the end of each day and left to simmer overnight, thus never taken off the heat. The owners are said to do a taste test each morning before seasoning as they see (or taste) fit for the day.
And just like its time-honoured signature dish, the eatery itself is like a blast from the past, with old-school decor and a no-muss, no-fuss setup. Customers include a good mix of locals and tourists, and the ambiance is calm and relaxed. Certainly a pleasant change from the snaking queues and bustling activity from other, more wildly popular places in Bangkok.
One would expect decades-old broth to be chock-full of flavour, yet I found Wattana Panich’s Noodles Served with Sliced Beef, Stewed Beef, and Beef Balls to be more subtle. The broth is clear-tasting, yet it carries a hint of the medley of Chinese spices it’s cooked with.
Still, it’s a great pick-me-up if you’re looking for something simple and nourishing to start the day. The beef is undeniably tender and saturated with flavour from simmering in that broth, with each bite melting in your mouth.
Noodles Served with Sliced Beef, Stewed Beef, and Beef Balls
I might have come for Wattana Panich’s 50-year-old beef broth, but I certainly stayed for its Goat Stewed in Selected Chinese Herbs. Compared with the former, this one is more herb-forward and robust. For the amount of fork-tender goat cuts, this is pretty value for money.
Goat Stewed in Selected Chinese Herbs
Located a little further out from most tourist hot spots, Wattana Panich is worth a visit if you’re looking to try the best that Bangkok’s street food culture has to offer. Start your day off with a nourishing breakfast before heading to Let’s Relax or Kashikiri Soda Onsen and Spa, both famed massage and relaxation spots a stroll away.
Address: 336 338 Ekkamai Road, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
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Opening Hours: 9am – 7.30pm daily
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