Bangkok 2024

The beautiful sound of hot oil sizzling and the rhythm of wok clanging drew us from metres away to investigate this store in a random market street. The vibrant bright green veggies at the ready called to us.

Tom Yam. Thai sour & spicy broth with Chili, Lime, Lemongrass, Kaffir, Squid and a half dozen good sized Shrimp.

Spicy? Of course, when asked. A fair amount of red & green chilies were evident, but I’m sure she tamed the heat down for us.

Kao Pad Pla. Fried Rice with Fish, Fried Egg, Onion, Tomato and Green Schallot.

The lady helming the Wok can Wok the Wok!! The Fish and the Fried Rice exudes Wok Hay. Ingredients and technique meld together for a delicious well balanced dish.

Phat Khi Mao. Thai Noodles stir fried with Chilies, Onion, Green Beans, Basil & Chicken.

** please note. We’re not slobby pigs. The food creep is on the outer edge of the plate, not onto the table*.

Larb. Islan Food: blend of Lemon, Onion, Mint, Chili, Roasted Rice and Chicken.

A bit flavorful by its lonesome without any white rice or leafy vegetable to wrap. We took most back and enjoyed with some cabbage cups later.

Didn’t see vegetable sides on the menu and almost passed. Da wife ran upfront and asked if we can order.

Morning Glory and Pencil thin Asparagus. Beautifully blessed by the Wok lightly dressed.

Excellent lunch to satisfy that basic Thai Food hunger. Gonna be a good week.

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Hainanese Chicken Rice.

Khao Man Gai in Bangkok speak. The Pratunam neighborhood is known for their version, Go Ang Hainanese Chicken Rice the most famous in town.

We hopped off our water taxi on a quay near Bangkok’s Chinatown. Sensory overload!! Car horns honking, hawkers touting, garish neon painted tuk-tuks ready to whisk you through the seemingly random chaos.

I’d explored this area before, still, it always takes a few moments to get my bearings and venture forth.

Food FOOD everywhere!! After being tempted by myriad carts, stalls, restaurants offering foods of all sorts, my program director suggested a quieter venue off the main drag where we can enjoy a less hectic lunch. Air conditioning sealed the deal.

I’m ALWAYS ready for Hainanese Chicken Rice.

Chilled ice beverage, Honey Lemon Drink hits the spot.

A starter of Chicken Broth to prep the palate.

Garlic, Chili, Ginger Soya.

  • Chicken plate for two.
  • Sichuan stir fried Green Beans.
  • Poached Gai Lan in Oyster Sauce.
  • Chicken Blood Curd. Chicken Giblets (Liver & Gizzard)

Jasmine Rice fragrant with Chicken Fat essence.

USD $16.37 total. Lunch for two with a Michelin stamp of approval. We ain’t in San Fran no more.

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I love your food reports so much, even though I couldn’t eat much of what you eat. I have severe food allergies and could never travel where you do but I wish so much that I could!! You provide me a great deal of vicarious pleasure, thank you!

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I can’t remember the last time I had chicken blood.

Pork blood? Almost monthly. Same with duck blood.

But chicken. Nope. Kind of odd now that I think about it.

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Indeed. My wife told me she ordered pig blood, then commenced to tell me how unusually soft and different this is.

Even this morning, she insisted it’s pig blood. Until I showed her the description on the menu.

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I love chicken blood curds in Thai khao man gai - that’s the advantage the Thai version has over the Malaysian and Singaporean ones.

Forgot if I’d shared this before:

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Thanks again. Informative read again, builds my appreciation of this seemingly simple dish.

The simplest are the most difficult to perfect. If any component is even slightly off, the imperfection becomes glaringly obvious.

A perfectly poached bird with the right complements is a thing of beauty.

I am admittedly bias. My preferred is Bak Cheet Gai, Canton style. Until very recently, I’ve always eaten my poached chicken naked, sans embellishment of any kind, even salt.

I’ve now started appreciating the dips and sauces of various regions, so much to enjoy!!

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Fierce tropical rainstorm last night. Relaxed in the comfort of our hotel with takeaway from two nearby places we had been wanting to try.

Fresh raw Blue Shrimp. The various names I googled up don’t really apply, as they all refer to some marinated version or another.

These pristine gleaming Shrimp came au naturale, simply shelled and deveined, with a bit of complementary crunchy Bitter Melon and Shredded Cabbage. Quick dunk in the Fish Sauce, Thai Chili and Garlic Dip. That’s all she needs.

Some surprisingly good Roast Pork Belly, crisp crunchy skin. From a shop we had noticed earlier in the day.

The Squid in the Squid Fried Rice was outstanding, almost carried the just so fried rice.

Rounding out this shelter in place meal:

  • Chicken Basil
  • Yellow chive stir fried Pork Belly
  • Morning Glory

All in all a more than satisfactory dinner. Hoping to sit down in the actual restaurant tonight. There’s a steamed Baramundi calling me, along with a few others.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/UXsfpE1ELKjnpsmd8?g_st=ic

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So awesome.

Is it supposed to goong che nam pa?

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That should be it

The wife doubled down last night and got two more orders for her siu yeh, midnight snack. Claims these shrimpies were even bigger than the first night’s batch.

170 Baht per 6pc order. USD $4.65 for 12 shrimp.

I spoil her rotten. :slight_smile:

Being the good husband, wouldn’t very well let her eat alone.

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Happy wife. Happy life.

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We eat local mostly in our travels. We do get off the streets every now and then and take advantage of our hotel benefits.

A taste of Thailand.

Shakshouka. First one ever. I’m sure (hoping)(certain) there are better versions elsewhere.

Some western fare. Salmon Benedict.

Avocado Toast. Much much better than the insipid version we had at Mustard’s in SFO at departure.

Huervos Rancheros. Where are the chips!?!? Hitting The Mission post haste!!!

Comforts of home. Love Frijoles at breakfast. Crispy fried edges on my Huevos :+1:!!

I’m a sensitive plant hugging kinda guy. :slight_smile:

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One of my childhood favorites, actually! There’s a good recipe in the South China Morning Post a while ago. Here it is:

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Thanks!!

When we come across really great quality shrimp back home, eat raw. Especially frozen at sea in Alaska Spot Prawns! The captain text my wife when he comes into Half Moon Bay.

Will do your above recipe next!!!

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