animedThaï cooking, such as it is appreciated all over the world, is the outcome of various influences from Asia and Europe after centuries of commercial and diplomatic exchanges. Throughout ages, the Thaï people have lived near earth and water, which traditional Thaï cooking reflects. The basic ingredients were rice, fish, vegetables and flavours (aromas). Little use was made of meat, no beef or buffalo.
Thaï cooking is a mixture of Indian, Chisese, European influences and Thaï cleverness. The Thaïs have grilled, baked or steamed their food until the Chinese have introduced oil-cooking methods. Diplomats, traders, missionaries have brought their share too but long after their arrival, by the 16th century. The addition of spices is a contribution of the Portuguese. Curry and spices were brought by the Indians. As years went by, Thaï cooks added their own skillfulness, replacing some ingredients by those locally available and adjusting recipees to Thaï palates. A feast for the Royalty.
Thaï cooking includes the regional four specialties and the "Court cooking", highly refined - legacy of absolute monarchy in the days when only remarkable dishes were served at the king's table. This refined cooking art is due to the improvement of the techniques used as well as the original way of presenting dishes.
As for me, I often eat in the open air. Do like me : it's quite cool! But mind you: Thaï people enjoy eating spicy food. Once, I wanted to eat chicken soup with green beans. But I felt FIRE in my mouth!!!!!!! You guess the green beans were actually green hot spices. Then before ordering whatever dish, you must say: "maille pète" (no spice). Yet if you stand hot spices, you may specify: "péte péte" (spiced) but I'll have warned you...
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A snack close to week-end market (Tchatoutchak)
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Every kinds of soups and noodles..
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Insects : you may choose among green cock-roaches, worms or crickets : it may taste original. |
I tested for you the water-cockroach. It is crispy under the teeth : not bad, not good, but just test it. |
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Some crickets.... |
A delicate dish of fried worms. Do you want some? |
If you are more classic : fish and chicken. |
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Contrary to the International guides' advice, in the streets you can eat peeled fruit. I tried it for you and am still alive. |
Although I am not fond of coconuts, they are more healthy than lemonades and cokes. | The shakers of my pal sweating at Silom are a treat. Oranges, ananas, melons, papayas, mangoes and else. Just thinking of it, I get hungry... | Thanks to a Thaï friend I could visit a night market which was actually a strictly professional area. |
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As usual I was kindly welcomed and had the opportunity to taste their production at the first place..
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A grocery supplying the professionals . | The thaï jellies. Just with their shapes, consistence and colours, they will make jealous the subjects of Her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth. But my courage has limits: I didn't test! | Here Silom: a chicken cooker. Still low prices and good stuff. However, if you are not sure, look at the Thaï and do like them.... |
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| These are musles : rather huge, aren't they?... | Here on Suravong road: a seller of "brochettes" ; hum it's so good - Have pork, beef, fish and octopussy... | What about rice (isn't amazing: can you imagine that Thaï also eat rice?). You have choice between scenty or sticky rice (khao niao) (it's the best one in my opinion) | Smoking fish : wow, today will be vegetarian menu... |
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