Tom Yum Noodles @ ChonSiam

ChonSiam has the be the closest thing in Sydney to eating on the streets of Bangkok. It's a hole in the wall, there are only a handful of tables, the menu is limited, serves are quite small and the food is spicy.

Place was packed and I was the only white person. It's all great stuff.

One of my favorite things about this place, and a real sign that it's 'locals' only, is the fact that the set of condiments is on every table, there is not just one or two floating around that you have to ask for before they get whisked away halfway through your meal. One per table - Bangkok street style.

This also ties into the fact that everyone has the $4 boat noodles. $4. That's crazy cheap. Me, I had the Tom Yum Noodle soup (which I've been threatening to have since my Tom Yum fried rice back in post 3)

"No pork or chicken" I said, complaining, as my lunch was presented, that includes minced form. It's still meat you know. But it was ok, it was just some deep fried garlic, which really pushed this dish along by adding a little crunch to the soup.

Stock was good, nice and spicy and without that splash of coconut cream that seems to be a thing in some places. Couldn't tell if it was home made but didn't taste out of a jar so that's half the battle won Eenjoyed the fish balls and fish cake slices - now they were very much out of a packet but that just makes it really authentic.

All in all a real authentic bowl of Tom Yum, only thing missing from the full Bangkok street experience was the smog, backed up traffic, and the weather. I can live without those.

Where – ChonSiam

When – 18/03/13

What – Tom Yum Noodle Soup

Cost - $8.90

With – Messrs Dong, and Chongwattanapirom

Rating – 3/4