Bangkok (Coup)linary Adventure

Fluffy soft flour with sweet plum sauce

I am not particularly sure if the title is apt for this photo blog but it was an opportune time that I was in Bangkok at the height of the coup. This trip was unintentional of course. So, you are right in your thinking - this trip was about several weeks back.

Nevertheless, you will probably ask if I felt at all worried? Nope. Not at all. To my surprise (well not really to be honest), at the height of the coup, everything looked "normal". Normal in the sense that you can still see a lot of people in shopping centers, dining in restaurants or eating in fast food chains. Streets are still filled with people going to and from work so for me that is "normal".

The Thais still exhibited calmness and order despite the "tension" that others may perceived. And that is precisely why I love Thailand and its people (or at least people I  have encountered and been friends with and still encountering now), it is because in this kind of situation, you feel safe, taken cared of and protected. My Thai colleagues assured us that they will ensure our safety. Do I encourage you to travel in this kind of situation? Definitely not. Please do not take the risk - I am just saying that just in case you will be caught in this kind of situation unintentionally, just know that you will be perfectly OK.

All right. My intention is not really write about what I encountered when I was there but more of my (or our) gastronomic adventures! This is somehow related to my Japan trip. So feast your eyes and next time you happen to travel or visit Thailand, do not forget to try this marvelous FOOD, FOOD, and more FOOD! Loads of thanks goes to our dearest friends and colleagues for re-introducing me to my constant favorite Thai food and to new ones - you know who you are :-)

First few items on the menu at a restaurant called Coffee Beans by Dao at the Paragon shopping mall ground level (same level as the supermarket).

Fried crab with dipping sauce

Fried shrimp cake with ground beef

Stir friend broccoli stems and sprouts

Pomelo salad with crispy garlic on top with some Thai shrimp sauce

This is definitely ONE of my favorites. Traditional sweet mango with sticky rice (or Khao Niaow Ma Muang) - add fresh coconut milk before digging in - not in the same restaurant but sold at the same floor in Paragon shopping mall.







Fresh fruits for breakfast - at Marriott hotel 

Crispy crab meat with dry, roasted peanuts on a bed of lettuce

Day 2, time to have some hearty, stomach-belching lunch!

All time favorite - TOM YUM soup - good to the last slurp!

Coconut flavored gelato

After a hard day's work, what better to cap the day but with a sumptuous dinner. And the best part of it all you get to share this with your friends!

This particular dishes can be savored at the Thai Savoey (which means 'eat' in Thai) at the Crystal.

Healthy brown rice (mixed of jasmine and berry)

Vegetable salad with mint (miang) 

The way to eat this salad is that you wrap all, some or any of the ingredients in the platter and dip in the chili sauce.

Soft shell  chili crab - yum yum!

Quick stir fried sprig of bitter cucumber

Fried chicken breasts with sesame seeds with mayo dressing and dried seaweed

Sliced pork ham with tamarind sauce

Waffle with sliced banana topped with vanilla ice cream and smothered with deep dark chocolate

Deep fried fish with strips of green mango, red onion, carrots, shallots and roasted cashew

Squid cooked in salted egg

Tempting dessert selection

The next day for lunch we decided to take a different course (figuratively) and decided to go Vietnamese. I think both Thailand and Vietnam share some similarities in their food especially with the use of healthy greens and dishes.

Fresh bowl of different greens and herbs

Shrimp cake - dipped in sweet plum sauce

Fried vermicelli (bee hoon) spring roll with sweet chili sauce with julienned carrots

Organic coffee at the Organic Coffee Club in Central Chidlom

Feeling hungry now? Why not head off to Bangkok and fill your stomach with these food galore! Me? I will definitely not stop and search for more...till next dear readers!