Interesting Thai Food and Drinks

Fried Intestines

2012-01-30T00:19:00.002+07:00

Many internal parts of animals that we don't eat in the west anymore are still eaten here in Thailand. Liver, kidneys, intestines, bowels, stomachs, in short all kinds of offal are still regularly on the menu. Kuay jab is a common type of noodle soup with offal, blood and big noodles available in specialised shops everywhere, and last week I had say palo tod (fried intestines) that tasted surprisingly well after we wrapped them in little pancakes with fresh ginger, cinnamon sauce and cucumber.

Anchan Flower (ดอกอัญขัญ)

2011-03-06T22:11:00.008+07:00

The Anchan or Butterfly Pea flower grows everywhere in Thailand and because it's blue it's used to colour Thai drinks and desserts. The flower is also eaten raw, serving as one of the vegetables of a meal. A bit of a strange idea, but it tastes well and the flower is supposed to prevent a whole series of health problems like poor memory and stress-related illnesses.

Fried Bird

2009-10-21T18:53:00.009+07:00

I bought some of these fried birds in the evening at a temple fair. I ate one while walking around, not very impressed with he taste, but not too awful either. Only when I came home with the leftovers, I saw the sad-looking little birds with their little claws up-close and decided I will not buy them again.

Dancing Shrimp (กุ้งเต้น)

2009-10-20T21:42:00.008+07:00

See it daily in my own street, but in all my years here I've never wanted to try this dish from the North-East of Thailand. Not just raw, these small freshwater shrimps are eaten alive! Served in a bowl with a mix of spices and herbs like garlic, lemon grass, lemon juice and onion, with a plate on top otherwise they'd jump out. The shrimps wriggle in your mouth which is said to be part of the attraction. I guess I'll never know.

Deep-fried Crabs

2008-06-19T21:37:00.004+07:00

Sitting on a terrace near the Royal Palace recently I got to try this tasty snack, deep-fried crabs. The small crabs are fried and eaten as a whole. No hard bits or chewy parts, all crispy and light. Recommended.

Duck Beak

2008-06-18T16:13:00.007+07:00

Fried duck beak on a stick. Hmm, not a bad snack, but a bit chewy (as expected).

Bird's Nest Beverage

2008-06-15T16:16:00.005+07:00

For those who don't now, this is actually swallow spit. It does not look appealing, a whitish liquid with little clods in it. If you can overcome your aversion, it does not taste so bad. An expensive treat for the real thing, but a lesser (low) quality can be bought cheaply in the 711.

Chicken Embryo

2008-06-15T16:15:00.013+07:00

Available in different stages from egg to chicken. This does not look very attractive. The taste is as you can imagine, a mix of (hard-boiled) egg with soft chicken meat and tender bones. Edible but not delicious. Bought on the streets.

1000-year Eggs (ไข่เยี่ยวม้า)

2008-06-15T16:15:00.012+07:00

Ok, they're not that old, but they've been kept long enough to become black and sticky. A delicacy that tastes well, available as a snack in some country bars (eaten with peanuts, garlic and chilli) or part of a regular meal in Thai-Chinese restaurants.

Chicken Feet

2008-06-15T16:14:00.011+07:00

May be the surprise in your soup and can happen anyplace anywhere anytime... They can be eaten completely, but I find them horrible. Fat slimy skin, no meat but full with tendon and chewy soft bones. A delicacy for some and sometimes I can't refuse. Yuck!

Chicken Ass

2008-06-15T16:14:00.010+07:00

Small pieces of meat on a stick with, guess what, a hole in the middle. You will probably not recognise it when you see it. Quite tasty but a bit chewy. Can be bought in many barbecue street stalls.

Glass Jelly (น้ําเฉาก๊วย)

2008-06-15T16:12:00.012+07:00

Juice with jelly clods. In my old office we used this drink as the ultimate test to establish whether somebody is a real (wo)man. Many did not pass, because the clods would get stuck in the back of their throat. Can be bought anywhere in supermarkets.

Durian (ทุเรียน)

2008-06-15T16:12:00.010+07:00

A big fruit with a typical smell. People love it or hate it. Forbidden to bring into some buildings because the smell is overwhelming. I really like the taste. Can be bought on the streets or in supermarkets. The right ones are soft and creamy.

Khaek Huay (Chrysanthemum Drink) (น้ําเก๊กฮวย)

2008-06-15T16:11:00.017+07:00

Sweet yellow drink made from chrysanthemum flowers. Served as hot tea or cold with ice cubes. Both taste well. As a fresh drink available in restaurants, canned in supermarkets.

Yaa Dong (Pickled Medicine)

2008-06-15T16:11:00.016+07:00

Traditionally described as a cure for many ailments, but most famous as aphrodisiac. Available in many variants, all made to feel strong. Good but strong taste, since the biggest part is whiskey. Officially it is not allowed to be produced and sold, but at night widely available on the streets.

Silkworms

2008-06-15T16:10:00.010+07:00

Contains a lot of protein and has a floury taste. Thanks to the herbs it tastes not so bad.

Grasshoppers

2008-06-15T16:10:00.008+07:00

Before eating remove the hind legs otherwise the barbs will get stuck in your throat. Close your eyes and enjoy this crispy snack. It tastes well.

Maengda (Beetles)

2008-06-15T16:09:00.012+07:00

The small ones can be eaten as a whole, the big ones must be sucked empty. This is really disgusting and I couldn't even finish one.

Ants Eggs

2008-06-15T16:09:00.010+07:00

A big pile of bean shaped whitish eggs does not look very inviting. Eaten separately they taste a little sour, but put inside an omelette quite tasty.

Cricket Larvae

2008-06-15T16:08:00.014+07:00

Little round larvae that look like small shells. They taste like peanuts, and are spiced up with some herbs. Not bad.

Bamboo Worms

2008-06-15T16:08:00.012+07:00

White worms fried with herbs. Tastes quite well. I even spotted some canned bamboo worms in the small chain of insect shops.

Horseshoe Crab Eggs Salad

2008-06-15T16:07:00.012+07:00

A popular seaside dish. The eggs of the horseshoe crab, a prehistoric crab-like creature that can reach up to 50-60 cm in length, are mixed with a spicy salad of various vegetables and fruits. The eggs themselves are a little chewy and floury, but they are a good combination with the fresh and spicy salad.

Scorpion

2008-06-15T16:07:00.011+07:00

The one I tried was almost 15 cm from head to toe. Only the body, not the tail and legs should be eaten as per instruction from the vendor. The skin was chewy, the taste not really good. Will skip that one next time.

Fried Pig Ears

2008-06-15T16:06:00.007+07:00

Usually you don't even know you are eating it, especially when they're cut in smaller pieces. Tastes not too well. Can be found on the menu in many Thai restaurants. I also saw them on the barbecue outside on the street. When raw you can recognise the big triangles.

Blood

2008-06-15T16:05:00.013+07:00

In the same category as chicken feet, you may find a dark brown or red clod in your soup. Usually made from chicken or pig. At first I thought it was tofu, but no. Tasteless but nutritious. A variant is the famous "nam tok", a noodle soup with some liquid blood added. Tastes fine.

Pig Skin Chips

2008-06-15T16:05:00.012+07:00

Brownish rings that look like "Nibbits". A recommended snack. Sold in many places, for example noodle shops. Packed in small plastic bags.

Fried Frogs

2008-06-15T16:04:00.012+07:00

Small (2-3 cm) crispy fried frogs. Unlike in other countries, where they usually only eat the legs, these are eaten in whole. Tastes well. Can be found on the same handcarts as insects.

Jellyfish

2008-06-15T16:04:00.010+07:00

The jellyfish itself tastes like it looks, which means no taste at all, but if it's for example served in sesame oil it's a tasty dish. On the menu in many Thai-Chinese fish restaurants.

Dried Squid

2008-06-15T16:03:00.007+07:00

Looking like tobacco leaves on clothespins fried and dried squid is usually sold from a bicycle. A salty chewy snack served with a spicy sauce.

Shark Fin Soup

2008-06-15T16:02:00.013+07:00

A classic. Delicious soup, available in luxury Thai-Chinese restaurants. The soup is not allowed in countries like the USA, because of the cruel way fishermen cut the fins off and throw the sharks back in the sea to die.

Squid Mouth

2008-06-15T16:02:00.010+07:00

Little yellow balls on a stick with a small hole in the middle. Usually a little bit tough, so not my favourite. Can be bought in street stalls that sell squid-bbq.

Fish Egg Soup (แก้งส้มไข่ปลาเรียวเซียว)

2008-06-15T16:00:00.008+07:00

Soup with yellow balls, which I found to be fish eggs. They are huge (well, at least for fish egg), one centimetre at least. The eggs have a floury taste and are a little tough, the soup is delicious but spicy.