Food usually defines, refines and adds that extra dimension to lasting impressions of a holiday. We are self confessed non foodies, yet we are contradictorily constantly engaged in a search for simplicity, variety and creativity. Thailand just overwhelms with an abundance of choices, as we food hop, straddling Continents and cuisines, experiencing unexpected delicious delights!
The iconic Green Curry, Kaeng Khiao Wan, is an umami balance of spicy, savoury and ever so subtly sweet flavours. The silkiness of the coconut milk is balanced with the sharpness of the green chilly, which hits the palate with a sharp edge, explodes activating a tear duct, and then melds back into a smooth texture.
The Pad Kaphrao/Pad Krapow entices with its perfect contrast of the red of the bird chilly with the shiny bottle green of the basil leaves, gently stir fried; it has a mild spicy taste that makes it very easy to get addicted to.
We discovered a twist to the iconic dish.. Pad Krapow Bombs.. hollow spheres like our puchkas, which you pierce and spoon in the mince with a spicy jam! Takes you straight to an unimaginable level of heat!
Pad Thai, sweet and sour, with shrimps in glass noodles, smothered in vegetables and a smattering of crushed peanuts is perfect street food, that has interesting origins. It began as a humble dish in the Prime Minister’s kitchen in the 1930s, as he embarked on a nationalistic journey, unifying the Thai people in a mass culturization project. Pad Thai became a symbolic dish, integral to the Thai identity and communal traditions. Now it is synonymous with Thai cuisine.
Som means acidic and tam means crushing and pounding, the typical Central Thai Isan dish ‘Som Tam’, sweet, salty, sour and spicy, containing crunchy strips of papaya or mango, sprinkles of fresh chillies, long beans, crushed peanuts, dried shrimps, pungent garlic tossed in lime juice, light soya, palm sugar, tamarind paste and what i avoid, fish sauce! It’s always a struggle to explain why i dont want ‘Nam pla’, the amber coloured condiment and seasoning of anchovies, so essential to imparting a bold flavour! Truth be told my Som Tam lacks that pungency but i am not a fish lover!
We discover a Thai fine dining restaurant run by a Belgian chef, exquisitely curated and presented with such artisanal skill, that it’s a shame to destroy the creation! Sake wine Sabayon, nasturtium oil, edamame pods and edible flowers elevates a simple scallop and takes it to another level! An almost amuse bouche, A solitary Hokkaido scallop tartare, with blood orange cream and flat parsley oil, roasted sesame seeds and a crisp tuile stuns! A crispy Duck tartlet with morello cherry gel gives serious competition! The finale is a Raspberry glacé with a macadamia nut crumble, and it’s the supreme combination of sweet and savoury.
A simple Italian family run trattoria is actually more our style, and we attack the perfectly grilled pork chops with an applesauce on the side, a balsamic reduction on the salad and some potato wedges that complete the dish! A great find, as we do enjoy a change of palate.
We also eat our way through other restaurants, too numerous to tabulate!
A dessert is a must and the iconic Sticky Mango rice has to be given priority! The blue pea flower infused rice, doused in coconut cream, and the artistry of the mango just bursts with flavour and the right amount of sweetness.
Truly Thai to die for!
Cafe Crawling in Thailand
Cafe culture is thriving, offering much more than a mere caffeine rush. The spaces are designed to blend creativity and an energy that is unique, fostering a sense of community that makes it a complete experience. A third space as coined by Ray Oldenburg.
Cafes are either elevated, driven or crushed by Instagram!
Read More: The Feast of Chatuchak Market
In Ayutthaya I insist we experience the happening vibes at one such cafe, (a mostly Gen Z monopoly), an extravagant blend of neo Thai art with a French ambiance. With a decidedly reluctant husband in tow, we realise that we are a tad age inappropriate and insta unworthy in sartorial style! Undeterred, as a confident ‘woman d’une certain age,’ I order my affogato coffee and tiramisu, and take a few unremarkable photos, being completely unversed in the art of insta posturing!
Emboldened, we also enjoy a blue pea infusion and peach cooler in another cafe by the river, less crowded, still Insta approved, and a welcome relief after trudging about in the hot and sultry Wats.
We are stumped by the food choices in Ayutthaya, and as we debate the merits, we settle on a restaurant on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. A local favourite, serving Central Thai cuisine in a relaxed setting, using fresh catch of the day and locally sourced farm produce. No pressure here.. just the enjoyment of good food!
In Khao Yai we discover the Chocolate Factory, a cafe and chocolate shop with drool worthy food, distinct coffee flavours and decadent chocolate.
After a ripping day in the Park, it is a welcome opportunity to balance our exertion with an abundance of indulgence, as we surrender to a complete gratification of the senses!
Every cafe has its own story. You just have to find one that matches yours!
Photo Courtesy: Author, Flickr, MAYs Pattaya
A perceptive person who values exploration and discoveries through travel and adventures.
