5 Thai dishes that will send you running to the bathroom... then running back for more
Visitors to Bangkok are always warned to stock up on anti-diarrhea meds and cautioned to avoid shady looking street food. Some even wince at the thought of eating in the city's critter-frying street markets, fearing both the strange taste of the fiery exotic dishes and the near certainty that they will end up clocking hours of bathroom time.
But not every case of Bangkok belly is the result of dirty, unpalatable food. On the contrary, being plagued by a case of tong sia (literally: "broken stomach") is not only a regular occurrence for many locals, but residual evidence of a noteworthy feast.
Hold on to your porcelain, here's our tribute to the five most dangerously delicious Thai concoctions -- available all over Bangkok in pretty much any city market.
But not every case of Bangkok belly is the result of dirty, unpalatable food. On the contrary, being plagued by a case of tong sia (literally: "broken stomach") is not only a regular occurrence for many locals, but residual evidence of a noteworthy feast.
Hold on to your porcelain, here's our tribute to the five most dangerously delicious Thai concoctions -- available all over Bangkok in pretty much any city market.
1. Som tum boo balad
Delicious. Notorious. It's not uncommon to hear Thais bragging about a memorable episode of tong sia after sitting down to another plate of this popular favorite. Say hello to papaya salad with fermented crab, the reigning tong sia champ.
2. Kha gai super
Allow us to call your attention to the word super, suspending any meaning it may have in Thai. Just think of this as a super hot and sour chicken soup loaded with spices and all those under-appreciated parts of the chicken, like the feet. Don't be surprised if the other versions of this popular soup are as fiery red as they taste.
3. Hoy khaeng luek
Warning: To eat this blood cockle dish without the spicy sauce that accompanies it is reprehensible and may offend nearby street food lovers. Go for fresh ones and avoid any shells you're served that aren't open. Credible sources tell us these seasoned and boiled shells are messy before and after digestion, so you've been warned.
4. Gop kratiem pad kra pow
There's nothing out of the ordinary about ordering kra pow, the spicy basil dish you can find at almost any restaurant. Change things up and earn the respect of your local friends by ordering it with onion fried frog. An honest street vendor will not deny you any spice and may even throw in a complimentary roll of toilet paper once you've finished your dish.
5. Som tum hoy dong
Fiery. Vindictive. If you've already mastered som tum boo balad, your tummy may be ready to step up to this plate of pure heat. Mention the papaya salad with fermented mussels and remark at how people cringe and salivate at the same time.
If you're brave enough to try all of these in one sitting, an itemized receipt is as useful as a doctor's note to prove to your boss you weren't faking that stomach ailment.
Read more: 5 Thai dishes that will send you running to the bathroom... then running back for more | CNNGo.com http://www.cnngo.com/bangkok/eat/five-thai-dishes-will-send-you-running-521562#ixzz124leMsS6
F.2010.10.11 - 5 Thai dishes running back for more
100 Foods To Eat Like a King in Bangkok: The Ultimate Thai Eating Guide
Thai Soups and Curries
1. Tom Yum Goong Nam Khon* (Spicy Thai Soup w/ Shrimp) ต้มยำกุ้งน้ำข้น
An exquisite flavor of Thailand in the form of a super tasty fusion of delights combined. Shrimp, mushrooms, tomatoes, lemongrass, galangal, chilies, kaffir lime leaves, onions, and a host of other lively ingredients and herbs are boiled together before a generous pour of condensed milk is added to make the soup rich and creamy.
Tom Yum Goong Nam Khon ต้มยำกุ้งน้ำข้น
2. Gar Por Plah (Fish Stomach Soup)
Though it may not sound overly amazing, a good fish stomach soup can be outstanding. The tender stomach is cocked in a thick gravy soup with flavors of ginger and soy sauce.
Gar Por Plah
3. Tom Kha Gai (Chicken Galangal Soup) ต้มข่าไก่
Tom Kha Gai is a thick and hearty coconut milk soup combined with chicken and teeming with fragrant lemongrass. The soup is usually not overly spicy so it is a flavor that can cater to those who are not accustomed to the chilies in soups like Tom Yum Goong.
Tom Kha Gai
4. Tom Saap* (Lemongrass Soup) ต้มแซบ
A brilliant Issan style lemongrass soup with crushed lime leaves and usually pork or fish. The clear broth can be potently sour for an extremely vibrant spicy Thai dish!
Tom Saap Plah Duk
5. Gang Som Pak Ruam* (Sweet and Sour Vegetable Soup) แกงส้มผักรวม
Sweet, sour and spicy all come together with Gang Som. The soup broth is loaded with a handful of fresh vegetables
Gang Som Pak Ruam แกงส้มผักรวม
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