More than 80 years ago, a wave of immigrants arrived in Bangkok from Guangzhou, China, escaping a city bombarded by the Japanese. They'd cluster together in a small neighborhood in Sathorn District, which would quickly earn the nickname "Egg Noodle Alley". For a time, their specialty could be found on bicycle carts all across Bangkok, but by now, Egg Noodle Alley, and the ancient techniques the families used to make the dish, are all but forgotten.

But one street cart still survives. And the reason it's still standing is one of the wildest stories we've ever covered.

It's a story of old recipes, a changing metropolis, and one man's obsessive quest to become a champion in a sport called bodybuilding- a quest that would, by accident, save the family business.

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Hat tip for the lead on this story to a photographer who publishes at the website http://www.bkkarchive.com ...please visit and support his work.

And also a big thank-you to Steph (as referenced) from Chinese Cooking Demystified for her help with some back story on the history of Cantonese Wonton Noodles.

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0:00 - Introduction
0:58 - A Perfect Meal
3:04 - 2000 Years of Wonton Noodles
5:12 - Egg Noodle Alley
8:08 - A Changing Bangkok
9:42 - The Son
11:42 - Bodybuilding
13:51 - Lifter of Weights, Maker of Noodles
15:44 - The End of the Era
17:36 - Rays of Hope
18:33 - Memories
19:47 - The Strongest Man in Thailand
21:22 - Last Bowl of the Day

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Video Credits:

China-Japan War - Japanese Troops In Action (1930-1939)
   • China-Jap War - Japanese Troops In Ac...  

Japan at War in China During World War 2 Combat Video Footage CBI Theater w/ Sound
   • Japan at War in China During World Wa...  

Shanghai falls to Japanese attack during Second Sino-Japanese War (1937)
   • Shanghai falls to Japanese attack dur...  

Old Chinese cities in 1935 中國城市
   • Old Chinese cities in 1935 中國城市  

Chinese Refugees In Java (1937)
   • Chinese Refugees In Java (1937)  

Hand Made Noodles in Hong Kong
   • Hand Made Noodles in Hong Kong  

Thai Street Vendor Pok Pok Noodles
   • Thai Street Vendor Pok Pok Noodles  

Hong Kong’s Bouncing Bamboo Noodles - Eat China (S2E9)
   • Hong Kong’s Bouncing Bamboo Noodles -...  

กรุงเทพเมืองหลวงของเรา 2500 Bangkok, Our Capital [1957]
   • กรุงเทพเมืองหลวงของเรา 2500 Bangkok, ...  

กรุงเทพฯ ในอดีต (พ.ศ.2508-2509) Bangkok,Thailand in 1964-1965
   • กรุงเทพฯ ในอดีต (พ.ศ.2508-2509) Bangk...  

Bangkok Street Scenes 1965
   • Bangkok Street Scenes 1965  

กรุงเทพฯ ในอดีต (พ.ศ.2508-2509) Bangkok,Thailand in 1964-1965
   • กรุงเทพฯ ในอดีต (พ.ศ.2508-2509) Bangk...  

1960s, 1970s Bangkok Thailand, in HD from 35mm
   • 1960s, 1970s Bangkok Thailand, in HD ...  

Thai Street Food 60's Bangkok
   • Thai Street Food 60's Bangkok  

SIAM (Thailand) 1940
   • SIAM (Thailand) 1940  

Country boy of Thailand in 1966
   • Country boy of Thailand in 1966  

แหวนวิเศษ (๒๔๗๒)
   • แหวนวิเศษ (๒๔๗๒)  

Bread (1945)
   • Bread (1945)  

Thailand Agriculture And Economy, 1950s - Film 9333
   • Thailand Agriculture And Economy, 195...  

From Austria to Bangkok, Thailand in 1976
   • From Austria to Bangkok, Thailand in ...