Indulging in a weekend of Netflix binge-watching is the ultimate stay-at-home activity. Amidst my lengthy list of must-watch Netflix movies, there is one that has piqued my curiosity: the trending Thai film titled “Hunger.”

The movie follows the journey of Aoy, a street food chef, who receives an unexpected opportunity to work at the prestigious restaurant called Hunger, under the guidance of the renowned chef, Paul. As the plot unfolds, “Hunger” not only showcases Aoy’s culinary endeavors but also explores the stark division between the wealthy and the less privileged, with food serving as a powerful backdrop to the story.

Cry Baby Noodle

While engrossed in the movie, my attention was captivated by a particular dish that Aoy’s father prepared for his children—a noodle delicacy known as Pad Ngor Ngae or Cry Baby Noodles. The first appearance of Cry Baby Noodles occurs when Aoy’s father lovingly prepares it at their humble street food restaurant.

Later in the story, when Chef Paul falls ill and is hospitalized, Aoy brings him a comforting bowl of these noodles, hoping it will aid in his recovery. The beauty of Cry Baby Noodles lies in its simplicity and the love infused into its creation, triumphing over Chef Paul’s elaborate culinary creations.

The film “Hunger” has sparked a social media frenzy, particularly on platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok, with many curious about the delectable Thai flat noodles showcased in the movie. Recently, a Hunger-themed pop-up restaurant emerged in Bangkok, Thailand, offering a unique dining experience inspired by the film. The restaurant was cleverly divided into two concepts under one roof, featuring both fine dining and street food elements. Regrettably, the pop-up restaurant operated only until April 23rd, 2023.

How To Make Cry Baby Noodle

For those of you who haven’t been able to visit the pop-up restaurant, don’t worry! You can still enjoy the delicacy of crying baby noodles at home. The recipe of the dish has been shared and recreated by many on social media like Tiktok, including our favorite one here from @cookedbymike. Prepare your notes, and try it at home!

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup lap Cheong (Chinese sausage)
  • 1/2 cup dried shrimp
  • 1/4 cup fish tofu
  • Chopped green onion
  • Minced ginger
  • Rice noodles
  • 3 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 cloves of garlic minced
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 tbsp fish sauce
  •  2 tbsp oyster sauce
  •  2 tbsp of XO Sauce and Miso paste mixed
  •  1 tsp msg
  •  1 tsp salt

Steps:

  1. Dice lap cheong and fish cake tofu into small bits.
  2. In a wok, heat the oil and fry your dried shrimp for 60 seconds.
  3. Remove shrimp and fry lap Cheong for two minutes.
  4. Add garlic and ginger, and fry it for 30 seconds.
  5. Add the eggs and mix well.
  6. Add cooked rice noodles and stir for 2-3 minutes. This part is important
  7. to get the char on the noodles.
  8. Add your XO Sauce or Miso Paste with all the other sauces, and stir the noodles thoroughly.
  9. Add the toppings (shrimp, lap cheong, and fish cake tofu) with your scallion and mix for another 60 seconds
  10. Serve it on the plate and enjoy!