The Beeer Essentials….

It doesn’t take visitors to the Kingdom long to find out that there’s a lot more on the menu here than Tom Yam Gung (Spicy Lemon Grass Prawn Soup) or an often life saving early morning 10 Baht Pad Thai (Thai Noodle Dish) from along KSR….

However, while knocking down a few medicinal cold ones on our “new” KSR this weekend, I noticed the trouble is that unless it can be seen cooking or there is a picture of some food for visitors to point to, many great Thai beer snacks and dishes are never experienced.

So what are the “Beeer Essentials? Well we’ve had a think and have come up with our six of the best most commonly ordered bar food; both veg and non veg, to go with the laughing liquid of your choice.

Som Tam (Spicy Shredded Mango Salad) (veg) is made two ways. Som Tam Bpoo (with small crabs) and is a little sour or Som Tam Tai (with small dried shrimp) which is sweet.

Both are usually very very spicy (if you don’t ask for non spicy) and served cold with raw vegetables and Khao Neo (Sticky Rice). A truly great tasting Thai snack that goes well with just about anything.

Yam Moo Yang (Grilled Pork Salad) (non veg) a more western looking salad dish again made spicy (if you don’t ask for non spicy), occasionally served warm and eaten on its own. Goes down a treat and can be made with beef or chicken as an alternative.

Gai Pad Med Mar Muang (Chicken & Cashew Nuts) (non veg) a dish of small deep fried chicken pieces with spring onions, cashews and sun dried chillies (not spicy) served hot. Compliments any of the above salad dishes really well.

Moo / Neua / Gai Thod (Deep Fried Pork, Beef or Chicken) (non veg) a dish as simple as it sounds. Your choice of either deep fried pork, beef of chicken, not spicy at all, served hot and usually with a sweet chilly dip. A quick excellent snack to have with a cold beer and always tastes like more!

Yam Pla Duk Foo (Deep Fried Shredded Catfish Salad) (Veg….ish) Yeah, sounds a little over the top, but believe me once you’ve mixed up the traditional looking salad with the shredded cat fish and sauce, it’s a taste explosion that’s quite unique. It can take a short while to prepare, but its well worth the wait. Usually served cold, in large portions. A great dish to share with a friend

Moo/ Gai Manow (Grilled Pork/ Chicken in Lime, Chilli & Garlic) (non veg) Commonly ordered with lean cuts of pork, but chicken breast cuts are a great alternative. Served warm with a few raw fresh vegetables, made a little spicy (if you don’t ask for non spicy) and eaten just as it comes. A popular dish found on many Thai tables…..usually next to a bottle of whiskey….or two!

So there you go. The above are just a few Thai delights that you may well be missing out on, and at way less than 100 Baht a dish they’ll meet anyone’s budget. Enjoy.

And remember….

Keepitreal.

Other Keepitreal articles:

Happy New Year? : Energy Drinks : Lights, Camera, Action : Cash4Trash :
Laos Reloaded : Dive, dive, dive : Movers and Shakers : Mai Pen Rai :
Its official, Phuket is still rocking! : We all live in a yellow submarine... :
Phuket Strikes Back! : Sunset Street : Sleeper Class : Shop 'til you drop :
Chill out in Cha-am : The Beeer Essentials : A Bridge Not Too Far : Up, up and away : Relaxing Round Rambutri : Royal Barges : More than Muay :
Temple trekkin' : The River of Kings : One Tequilla

"I have lived and worked in Asia for 15 years. I've had the pleasure to view and experience many wonderful sights and meet and work with all manner of race and religions. From Mumbai to Melbourne I've found no other country or people that could persuade me to live anywhere else than here in Thailand."

keepitrealbkk@yahoo.com