You can buy whole sea bass perfectly
roasted on a small stove on the street in Bangkok for $1.00 US. Oysters
the size of your palm five off for about $2.00. They are so big you
have to cut them in half or risk choking. They serve them up with
a few side dishes including shredded crispy red onions, fresh red
chilies chopped, garlic and lime- mmmmm they are delicious.
Mobile food vendors with stalls attached to push bikes or motorbikes
congregate in bundles at certain times of the day. Often they are
fairly specialized in what they offer and cook it expertly. Roast
chicken wings, pork meatballs, seafood balls, dried sweet squid, flavored
rice pancakes, spicy salad, tom yam, fried noodles the list goes on.
In some parts of the city and I am thinking of Sukhumvit from around
10.30pm the pavements come to life with food vendors. They appear
out of nowhere and lay out tables and chairs. All kinds of people
sit eating, drinking and talking in to the small hours while they
watch the world go by. Some grab a barbequed skewered snack to nibble
while they go their way. Some prefer fruit perhaps pineapple with
its customary sugar and chili dip.
On every table you will find condiments or more precisely meal modifiers.
They are sliced red chilies in vinegar “nam som” which are
sour in flavor; dried flaked or powered red chilies “pirik pon”
hot flavor; sugar “nam taan” sweet of course and fish sauce
“nam noodles and in to soups in vast quantities until the mix
is just right. More often than not cutlery comprises of a spoon and
fork. The fork is used to select and move items of food and modifiers
on to the spoon to create the
required mixture before being put in to the mouth and savored.
Thai food is fresh, prepared quickly and full of flavors. Sometimes
I’ve thought it is beyond flavor and more to do with an experience
of ingredients. If you visit Thailand make a point of trying out the
local street food. It’s delicious and you’ll find it on
your doorstep.
read part one -
the islands and beaches of
Thailand
Editor's
Note: This is but one of several fascinating photos Gary
has taken on his journeys through Thailand - through the streets of
cities and to the beaches and Islands off the coast of Thailand. Please
visit Gary's web site to see more photos from Thailand www.garymorga.com
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