Cheap food

[Pagey]

There was a posting recently that mentioned the restaurants in the night market are full of tourists and a bit on the expensive side. A couple of years ago I ate in the night market with my Thai g/f, very cheap fish and very nice. The next night we ate on the pier and she mentioned how much more expensive it was than the market. I then asked her if she noticed any other differences? She replied no, and I said you are just about the only Thai person here whereas in the night market I was one of only a few Farang.

When we went to the night market last month, the restaurants either side of the road just after the crossroads have gone and so is Sallys a bit further up on the left, which was our favourite. She used to teach Thai cooking also and her husband had long grey hair in a ponytail and was an art teacher in case anyone remembers it. A large Singha was only about 60 Baht.

The remaining places seem to have gone upmarket with new seating and tablecloths whereas the ones after the crossroads were basic and the prices have increased. And yes it is all tourists/Farang now, maybe the prices have scared the Thais off ? Has anyone elso noticed this?

So that leads me to ask a question for you residents. If I come to live in Hua HIn an a budget where will I get a nice chicken curry and rice or other staple Thai food cheap?

[Huahinian]

"Where can I get a good chicken curry?"

The standard of food changes so quickly. A restaurant loses a cook and the food changes. Recommendations should not be made far in advance.

[DawnHRD]

Depends how cheap is cheap. There's a really good chicken restaurant on the road parallel to the railway line (between the train station & Soi 88) Don't know it's name, but it's quite well known. Every weekend it's packed with people (Thais) from BKK. They're not really cheap (20 baht standard), but they're still more reasonable than the Western restaurants or the Thai restaurants for tourists.
2 drawbacks:
It's not open at night. It closes at about 5pm
It only sells chicken, in various forms. Gaeng kiew wan & chicken with cashew nuts are gorgeous, though! And you did ask for chicken curry!

[DawnHRD]

sorry, that should be: between train station and soi 88, not sure how that smiley got there!

[Pagey]

Thanks Dawn

Chicken curry is my favourite but it also stems from late night eating in the UK because when you go to a dodgy late night place after the pubs close there are always rumours about beef and pork not being what they say or old meat so I tend to play safe with chicken.

I am still trying to determine if I can afford to retire there yet. But 50 baht for a curry and 20 Baht for rice is the level I was thinking as opposed to 20 Baht for a plate of rice with a few bits of chicken which is Ok for a lunchtime snack.

I also like the market atmosphere with the sights and smells of cooking outside and I like people watching whilst having a beer.

[DawnHRD]

About 50-70 baht is their price range, incl rice or noodles, so, if you like chicken, it's worth a try!

Maybe someone else can tell you the name, but every time I've been there, I've asked for "the house for eating chicken" in Thai (Baan Kin Gai) & I've been taken there (or maybe that's the house that eats chicken! - Thais can be very forgiving when you murder their language! At least I try!)

Chok dee ka

BTW, very nice, rustic decor too - fish ponds, wooden cow bells & knick-knacks. Very different, can be disconcerting when next week's meal is wandering free-range around your feet though!

[Big Boy]

But 50 baht for a curry and 20 Baht for rice is the level I was thinking

With a budget as generous as that you could consider the eating places along the temple wall at the end of Soi Binthabat. Earlier this year, 8 of us ate there on a number of occassions. The prices were so cheap, we were each ordering 2 to 3 meals (far more than we could ever eat, but it was nice to have the variety of different tastes). The highest bill (inclusive of a couple of drinks[not all alcholic] each as well) was about 1100 Baht. Just to round it off, we were normally presented with a huge tray of assorted fruit free of charge as a desert.

They serve plenty of chicken dishes, as well as a huge variety of other beef, pork and fish dishes.

[Guess]

I have found a superb Islamic Curry stall but I went ther last night and the had run out already so I'm not going to tell anybody yet.

[STEVE G]

Guess wrote;
I have found a superb Islamic Curry stall…..

Be careful Guess, Muslims eat cats as I remember well, from my time in Sulawezi.

[chelsea]

If you are in town, try any of the places on the LH Side (as you go down) in Poolsuk Road. They all do very cheap dishes and the food is excellent. One in particular is called Bam Bam's and is well worth a visit.
You can have whatever Thai food that you want, and they also have fresh fish from which you can choose what you want.

[Big Boy]

Chelsea,

I think we're talking about the same areas - are those the ones alongside the Temple wall?

(we won't mention Middlesbrough)

[Edd Case]

Re. the restaurants after the cross-roads on the night market - can anyone tell if the well known "mrs moo's" - mentioned in so many travel books and programmes - outside the 7-eleven - is still there as I have friends heading to HH next monthand had given them directions. I have been in HH before and noticed that these restaurants seem to change with the seasons, then when highseason returns so do the eateries

[chelsea]

Big Boy, I think we probably are. They are in the same street as Crawfords, and the one I go to is opposite the Swedish Bar. I have eaten in most of them and all are good value.
BTW, you have missed one item from your message at the bottom of your messages. I think it should also read "Already knocked out of the League Cup by Walsall".

[BaaBaa.]

Could not agree more with Chelsea. Bam Bams food is spot on (and because of this was almost always full until late when i was their) Think it will be my first port of call next time i'm in Hua Hin. A full Red snapper in red curry. Aroy.

[BaaBaa.]

That Swedish Restaurant is poor. The place was empty (should've been a sign) but the food took about 40 minutes to come for 4 of us,and it was not good. I think the foliage falling onto the food from the tree we got placed under would've tasted better.