Delicacies and Oddities of Local Thai Markets

This picture was taken on Kho Lipe Island this year.
Look at the seafood selection that is available to sample each night.
That is a Giant Black Marlin on top, with a huge Barracuda and
King Mackerel beneath him.There are Grouper, Snapper, both red and white,
as well as a few other fish on display. Every night, there are also
Crabs, jumbo Shrimp, Oysters, Clams,Mussels and Lobsters available. 
Life on the beaches will always mean fresh seafood on a daily basis.

    This post will show you some of the most unique Thai foods and local delicacies.

     I took these pictures recently, and wanted to better explain what you will encounter in a Thai market.

A batch of Pig Heads. They are de-skinned, and are ready for sale. I am told that the Pig's cheek is the most
tasty part of the entire animal.

       Thai food is so multifaceted, with so many origins of influence,

from Indian, to Malaysian, Burmese, Laotian, Chinese, and now most recently, Western.

Here are crickets, grasshoppers, and cockroaches for sale.
They are eatenlike popcorn here in South East Asia.
Crispy deep fried, with a juicy inside!



I needed to show this picture, since the cockroaches were so large. Meal Worms,crickets, grasshoppers, and
silk worms are very popular.
You haven't visited Thailand unless you have dared to
eat a fried bug or two.

  Please look at these pictures to see some of the unique aspects of local Thai markets that you will
not see in a Western Grocery Store.



Here is a bag of Frogs. The are going to be sold live, and the customers will likely make a sweet soup with them, or possibly
grill them with some with some hot sauce.

 

Here are two Beautiful small Tuna. The can be grilled,
fried, baked, or steamed.
I love them best steamed with some butter, lime and garlic.



This is a plate of large shrimp with clams. It was superb dinner.



Here is a grumpy Dog, who snarled at me
as I walked past his Potato Sacks.



This is another Black Marlin. It is sad to see so many of them being harvested for dinner.
They are a true game fish, and must still be fairly plentiful in the Andaman Ocean side of Thailand.
Their steaks will be savory, no matter how you order them.
These Sailfish are as big as the shark below. This one was 6-7 feet long.



This is a Shark that was for sale at Kho Lipe Island, in the Indian Ocean. I did have a large slice,grilled with Garlic and black pepper. It was delicious I have to admit.

 Here are some small turtles for sale. It made me sad, but Thai people have been eating them for centuries.

I have never eaten a turtle,  but they are even still selling SEA Turtle soup in southern Thailand. 

It is always a good idea to try something new
if you get the chance!

 Please try one of the recipes that we have posted on the blog.
And get a copy of our Cook Book!

Our Recipe for Chicken Cashew Nut Vegetable Stir Fry

Chicken Cashew Nut

Vegetable Stir Fry

     Pad Met Mamooang
is so well liked that it is certainly being taught at every cooking school in Thailand. Cashews, sweet pepper, mushrooms, onion and scallions.

 Need I say more!

Chicken, pork or shrimp seem to taste the best.    

Enjoy!

Ingredients:

1.5 Pounds of Boneless Chicken Breasts
 will make enough to serve 3-4 people




1 large Orange Pepper, 1 large sweet Onion,
6-8 White Mushrooms, and 3 Scallions




Fish Sauce



Soy Sauce



Cashew Nuts





Minced Garlic



 Jasmine Rice is always great with a Thai Stir fry.

Thalad Muang Mai (The New City Market) in Chiang Mai Thailand



These giant bowls are filled with fresh Thai Curry Paste.
Look at the varieties, and colors. I would bring these curries
back home if customs wouldn't take them away.

     The vibrant local market along the Ping River in Chiang Mai Thailand is called Thalad Muang Mai. The exact translation is "The New City Market." Touching the river bank, this market is only open at night, and it's vendors begin to show up and set up from about 7-8 PM. The stay until 4-5 AM.
This is the market where Thai restaurant owners come to shop for their produce. Its prices are low, its produce is fresh, and its competition is fierce.

Take a look at these pictures if you haven't been for yourself. This post will give you a good idea of what it feels like to walk and shop in the market itself.
 

Cucumbers, tomatoes, chilies, peppers, carrots, potatoes, mini egg plants,
and cherry tomatoes are among the vegetable this vendor is selling.



Rambutans anyone?



Here are some HOT Chili peppers. Look at the size of these bags.
One bite, and you would be screaming "FIRE!"

These are called Rat Ear Mushrooms.

White Chinese Carrots

I am sorry, I do not know what these are called.
Please comment below if you know their name.



These are in the EGG plant family.
There a number of varieties in Thailand.





Here are the Chili Peppers from another vendor.
Even standing near these bags, I could feel the spice heating up my throat.



Chu Chi Curry recipe from Northern Thailand



Here is what the Chu Chi will look like when it is served.

   
     Chu Chi  is one of the most well loved curries in northern Thailand. It is also one of my very favorites. This meal is warm, but sweetened with the addition of coconut milk, and it will surely be a hit at your dinner table.

Make this dinner for a quiet date at home for two, or serve it for company.

The complements will come quickly, and they will be sincere.

Chu Chi will be a hit with everyone!

Ingredients:

1 large Red Pepper, 1 large Sweet Onion,
1 HOT Green Chili, and 4 Scallions



1.5 Pounds of Boneless Pork Shoulder will make enough to serve 3-4 people

Fish Sauce























Coconut Milk

 

Coconut Powder will do just fine,
 but will make a less creamy Chu Chi.



Red Thai Chili Paste



Jasmine Rice tastes very good with
Thai Curry

Fresh Basil

Remember to cut the pork into small bite sized pieces

 Preparation:

         Here are all of the ingredients you will need to make Chu Chi correctly. Cut the onions into thin slices, and make the peppers fine and even, to create the perfect look. Always slice your scallions into tiny rings. Make sure you have prepped your ingredients well, it will make the curry more delicious!

A night out at a FOOD Fesitval in Chiang Mai Thailand



These shrimp are served RAW.
They come with garlic, tomato, basil
and some very hot dipping sauce.

  I went to the November Food festival in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Of course they had food beyond description, that is why I took these photos,  so that I could show you what was available.

The ingredients are always fresh, and most of the vendors make a sincere attempt to prepare their food to look good, and taste great.

I ate so much I could hardly move after leaving the festival.
Check out the rest of the pictures to see what you missed, and to plan your next trip to Thailand to taste the variety of Thai cuisine.




Fresh squid and octopus are a well liked side in Chiang Mai. Look at those squid!




There are some shish kabobs with chicken, pork, pineapples, peppers and tomatoes.
They are wonderful.  The Ducks at the bottom of the picture are pretty special.
I reccomend getting one!

 


I love the meat on sticks that are available all over
Thailand. Tasty, easy to eat and rewarding.
Plus the cost only 25 cents each!




Here are some Tab Tim Fish that are being rotisseried over some charcoal.




Local Market Favorites!

      These are some Lemon and Honey steamed fish. They are being sold at a local market in Chiang Mai Thailand where I live. Just about $2 per fish, accompanied by a bag of rice and some fresh vegetables, you will have an excellent dinner!

Fried Insects are very popular in Thailand. They are eaten something like Popcorn in the West.

Carrying a small bag of crickets, shopping is more fun.



Bugs are eaten like popcorn in most of South East Asia.
I have tried them, and the aren't so bad. Just a little crunchy,
and a but juicy.

 

here are some Roaches, Crickets and Grasshoppers!
Tasty Snacks in South East Asia!

  



Here are some Pig Heads for sale at a local butcher in Siliwattana Market in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
The cheek is the most desired piece of meat, for both flavor and color.

 

Here are some frogs that are available in Chiang Mai. I believe they are made into  Vegetable Salad, or Soup!