Great Thai food, but "puut Thai mai dai?"

[DawnHRD]

OK, I'm ashamed to admit it, but after 5 years of living here, I still don't speak very much Thai (let alone read it!)

However, I love Thai food, particularly the spicy variety. I've eaten in a lot of the touristy restaurants, but find that (even the ones I go to regularly & should know me) don't make the food very spicy or authentic tasting despite me urging "Pedt pedt". I'm sure street stalls or real Thai places would be better, but I don't speak enough Thai to know what to order (or even what they would cook!). There's only so much laarb, krapow (sp?) & Gaeng kaew wan I can eat.

So, does anyone have any recommendations of somewhere new to try? Just to complicate matters further, I don't like seafood

I'd appreciate any suggestions

[Jim]

It's a good point Dawn. I've found the same, even when I've had the food ordered for me by local friends. The best way I've found of getting the heat up is to have soup where you can add your own chilli (the greatest hangover cure), or to ask for prik nahm bpla to go with whatever I've ordered.

There is one cafe though where I can get spicey food, which is one of the ones on Poolsuk, backing onto the Wat. It has no name as far as I know, but its the one where the large lady cooks at the front, right on the street. There's a never ending stream of locals picking up takeaway scoff from there as well.

[Farang]

'
Before they made all those stalls against the temple wall so nice and neat that lady used to cook on the same spot
under the big tree. She was well-known for her large portions, delicious, hot food and her sense of humor.
She was known to and frequented by our band of misfits, gutter-rats, ne'er-do-wells and lowlifes
as "Gaia" or "Mother Earth" both for her size and her bubbling laugh.

Would there be The Most Noble Order of the Wok, she should be the Knight Commander.
,

[DawnHRD]

Thanks guys, I'll take a look. When is she there? Lunch or evening or both?

[Jim]

as with most places, I've never quite worked out opening hours. The cafe is open most lunchtimes and evenings, but you can never be sure.

she's fab though, always recognises me even if there's 6 months between visits

[dane48]

'
Before they made all those stalls against the temple wall so nice and neat that lady used to cook on the same spot
under the big tree. She was well-known for her large portions, delicious, hot food and her sense of humor.
She was known to and frequented by our band of misfits, gutter-rats, ne'er-do-wells and lowlifes
as "Gaia" or "Mother Earth" both for her size and her bubbling laugh.

Would there be The Most Noble Order of the Wok, she should be the Knight Commander.
,

Yes, super place for genuine food.

This time I also ate a few times at the day market. The lady have a small stall just inside at one of the entrances, normally 3 different courses to choose between and several additionals spices - to the stunning price of 15 Bath. No need to talk, just point

[johnnyk]

... There is one cafe though where I can get spicey food, which is one of the ones on Poolsuk, backing onto the Wat. It has no name as far as I know, but its the one where the large lady cooks at the front, right on the street. There's a never ending stream of locals picking up takeaway scoff from there as well.

Always on the lookout for good grub myself.
Can you help me out? I'm a little vague on the location you mention.
Do you mean the row of caffs across from La Grappa?
I very often eat at the one right on the corner directly in front of La Grappa. Lady is from Isaan and she will spice it up if you want.
And once she gets to know you she'll sometimes give a little bonus like extra goong in the tom yum.

[STEVE G]

Johnny, the place is about half way down that row of restaurants, it’s the one that hasn’t been tarted up yet where all the girls buy Somtam on the pavement, and it is good food.

[johnnyk]

Thanks Steve, I think I've eaten there but quite a while ago. Will go again.

[richard]

Most of them are pretty good

Only problem I've ever had was from the very busy one 2nd back from the temple entrance. I used be able to get a take away masman delivered to a bar up the road. Now they say are too busy!!!!

Guess I'll to wait till off season or tell them to shove it

[STEVE G]

Those restaurants have gone a bit up market, you used to be able to sit on the bench outside Lucky Lukes and shout your order over the road!