This little piggy went to the market

Hello lovlies!

I've been asked many a times, what the food is like over here, and am working on a post devoted to street restaurants, but today I thought I'd show you the delights of a local thai market.

Arriving by motor bike, you simply squeeze in any space you can, thats my red bike, with the racing checks haha:

The market is big and busy, topped with glaring industrial lights:

You can get hot and cold food markets, here in Sam Phran we have a mix, meaning we can buy food that has been pre-cooked, like sausages, curries and chickens cooked in giant plant pots! As well as fresh produce, to cook at home (most apartments don't have kitchens, but if your lucky enough to live in a town-house you have a table-top stove).

Its essential to arrive at opening time, as fresh meat doesn't smell great after 4 hours in 28 degree heat!

A 'plate' of meat will cost you 70bt (£1.40).

Although the fishes are kept live (and suffocating), waiting for you to choose one so this man can gut it for you!

There are many different types of eggs, including 'century old egg' - which apparently is a delicacy! 10 for 40baht (80p)

Perhaps 100 different types of vegetables are available at this market, costing a fraction of the price at Tesco! Although if you want a luxurious item, such as a bell pepper, be prepared to pay for it! (At imported food store 'Tops' they cost 230 baht (£4.60 FOR ONE!)

A portion of thai veg will cost you 20baht (40p)

Next to the veg is where you buy the staple ingredient of any Asian meal, rice, 5baht Per portion (10p):

Who knew there were so many types of white rice?

There's also, as my mum would call it, a 'kitchen cupboard' stall, selling everything from salt to home-made curry paste (delicious! although made for thai people, so prepare to have your head blown off!).

Then finally, there's the fruit! Freshly picked, and even carved if requested, fresh watermelon is defiantly a highlight of every day! 20baht (40p)

The big spikey fruit is a Durian, the 'King of Thai fruit' it has a pungent smell so strong, it is banned from most hotels! Although has a soft sweet taste that does not reflect its off-putting odor. It has to be carved open, like this guy is doing:

Then there's the hot food, don't be deceived into thinking these are separated from the cold, they are hap-hazardly scattered about, leaving you having to hunt.

An interesting variety of processed meat in the shape of angry birds on sticks:

Curries and soups made in this woman's home:

BBQ'd fish and sticky rice in bamboo leaves,

Street sushi with salmon, tuna, crab-sticks and quales eggs. (not convinced this wouldn't cause illness...but a favourite with the thai's!).

Thai deserts, gelled coconut with dried fruits/corn and baked baby bananas in syrup - pretty good!

And finally cakes! Haven't tried these yet, although they look great and felt pretty good when I poked one last week haha

Taking these home give us the chance to try our hands at cooking with the authentic ingredients, here's our shrimp and pineapple red curry with vegetables in oyster sauce!

Although I spend my evenings cooking curries, drinking beer and hanging out, the days are spent consoling Champ, the 12 year old who gets upset every time I change my hair. Explaining to 4 year old Pandin, its not okay to kiss girls who don't want to be kissed. And debating whether or not to tell Year 6 that despite whats written in their workbooks, you physcially can't 'Smoke coke every second'!

Happy Monday!

xoxox

Zoe

#market #food #cooking