I know that ก๋วยเตี๋ยวเส้นเล็กน้ำใส is noodle soup with thin noodles and clear broth, and understand that you'll get blood added to the broth if you order ก๋วยเตี๋ยวเส้นเล็กน้ำตก. Why do Thais refer to it as น้ำตก?

Doing a small research, I found an intesting information from a Th blog.

The guy said , it might come from Thai Lu 's language (ไทยลื้อ- Thai Lu Tribe (Houayxai))

In Thai lu ,"น่ำ-ต๊อก" (num toc) means "Life" as you put blood (life) in noodle.

http://www.bloggang.com/viewblog.php?id=ma...p=1&gblog=1

My understanding is that in the old days the one who made the soup also had meats grilling on the side. The drippings (naam dtok) from the meat would be added to the soup to make it very flavorful. In this day and age to save time it is simply a spicier soup with blood added to simulate the taste of having the drippings added to a stock. I'm pretty sure my understanding is the more common one that a Farang will hear, but Bambina's idea sounds good too and comes straight from the Thais. I think a little more Thai research is in order...... Anyway. it could have a couple meanings to it. Or just be a mystery idea such as the origin of the meaning for khanom jin.

I've since heard the same story about the dripping from the meat. Could be one of 'grandma's old sayings' that's since been lost through the generations. Thanks for the responses.

My understanding is that in the old days the one who made the soup also had meats grilling on the side. The drippings (naam dtok) from the meat would be added to the soup to make it very flavorful. In this day and age to save time it is simply a spicier soup with blood added to simulate the taste of having the drippings added to a stock. I'm pretty sure my understanding is the more common one that a Farang will hear, but Bambina's idea sounds good too and comes straight from the Thais. I think a little more Thai research is in order...... Anyway. it could have a couple meanings to it. Or just be a mystery idea such as the origin of the meaning for khanom jin.