It contains both pork and beef, as well as dark soy sauce, pickled bean curd, and some other spices, and is normally served with meatballs and pig's liver.

The other ingredients of boat noodles are garlic, fried garlic, radish, cinnamon, bean sprouts, parsley, morning glory, and some Thai chilli flakes.

If the bowl was too big, it would be difficult to hand over to the customer on the land and might be easily spilled.

This is the reason why the boat noodle's bowl is small, for the convenience and safety of the merchant.

[citation needed] Nowadays the dish is also served in restaurants, but the dish's historical identity is maintained by it still being served in a small bowl, and often with a boat moored in front of the place.