Description
Most Thai noodle shops have something they specialize in, such as Kuai-tiao Gai Mara Taipu, which specializes in Thai noodles served with a chicken leg, or Khaep Moo Yai, which is one of the best beef noodle shops in Sakon Nakhon.
As the name suggests, Hia Mui Tom Yum Noodles (เฮียมุ้ยเตี๋ยวต้มยำ) specializes in Thai noodles with a Tom Yum broth. Tom Yum (also spelled Tom Yam) is one of Thailand's most famous soups, often served with shrimp and flavored with ingredients such as lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, galangal, fish sauce, and lime juice, all of which which give it its distinct aroma and flavor.
However, Tom Yum also is used as a soup base for Thai noodles. Only some Thai noodle shops offer it, and even fewer noodle shops do it to perfection. Hia Mui is just such a Tom Yam noodle specialty shop.
Located in downtown Sakon Nakhon, less than a kilometer from the Provincial Hall, Hia Mui Tom Yum Noodles serves a variation of the soup that uses a recipe from Nakhon Pathom, which is a province in central Thailand. They serve their Tom Yam noodle soup with a fried wonton chips (gio thawt), which is the best way to eat it.
We suggest asking for a side order of fried wontons, as well. You would order this by saying, "Khaw gio thawt dûay" (ขอเกี๊ยวทอดด้วย). Then crumble these additional fried wonton chips into your soup. You should probably also order a large bowl (60 baht), as the regular bowl is quite small. This is ordered by saying, "Khaw gŭay-dtio dtom yum pee-sayt" (ขอก๋วยเตี๋ยวต้มยำพิเศษ), or by plugging that Thai text into the SayHi translation app, which we rate as the best English-Thai translation app.
Hia Mui Tom Yum Noodles does offer other Thai noodle dishes, as well, but we recommend first trying the noodles that they are famous for. The noodles are served with a couple pieces of liver, so if you don't want that say, "Mai ow dtap" (ไม่เอาตับ). Note that the shop is closed on Wednesdays.
