Foods of Thailand- Noodles

I have a friend who swears if you push on her tummy she automatically says "NOODLES!" It's certainly one of my favorites. You can get them pretty much any time of day but the best ones are to be had late at night because they're considered one of the great post-bar foods. If you're flexible, judge your noodle stand by what you see. If there is chicken in the window---order chicken. If you see fish---go for fish. You'll have a few choices after you pick your stand.

1. What kind of noodles. White noodles (small "lek" or big "yay") or yellow egg noodles "bamee".
2. Dry "hang" or with broth "naam".
   
3. Toppings generally include fish "plaa", fish balls "lukchin plaa", pork balls, red pork, ground pork, chicken "gai", various wontons, duck, tofu "dao huu", and many more. Although the items in the window are a good indication, many stands will have several different topics.
   

The photo is of dry yellow noodles with red pork. Vegetarians who don't eat fish will have trouble but there are lots of vegetarian restaurants in Thailand- and many of them will have noodles. Don't forget your condiments once you get your noodles! Red pepper flakes for spice. Peppers in vinegar for tang. Fish sauce for salt. Sugar for ...well...you can figure that one out. Oh and for my friend with an allergy--"mai sai phong cherot" means you want it without MSG.