Food and Shopping in Udon Thani
There are thousands of shops ranging from the smallest shack stocked up with snacks and drinks to big supermarkets such as Makro, Big C and Tesco Lotus. Ferang food is mainly to be found in those 3 big supermarket chains but the range can be limited and very expensive, as it is mostly imported. I have stopped eating cheese since living here as I refuse to pay the prices being asked, mostly down to the import taxes that are incurred. It's worth noting that there is not a single cheese manufacturer in the whole of Asia, never mind Thailand. The closest cheese making country to us is Tibet, where they make goats cheese.
Food is sold on the street all over the city and local villages too, in addition to a multitude of restaurants. Prices are typically very reasonable but a ferang may end up paying more than a Thai would, so if you have a Thai wife, send her out to buy everything, she will get it cheaper in many, if not all cases. Shopping seems to be where the greatest amount of discrimination is displayed. The view is ALL ferang are RICH, therefor can afford to pay 10 baht more for a piece of fried chicken or maybe 5000 baht more for a dining table! Not all vendors are the same though and display their prices so everyone pays the same. These are the only places where I will go shopping with my wife.
Drinks too are sold everywhere, reasonable enough as it is always so hot. Bottles of water are typically about 10 baht and are served cold. Alcohol and tobacco are very well priced in Thailand too, as are many items, but there are also items that are very expensive, and this is normally because it is imported.
Food is sold on the street all over the city and local villages too, in addition to a multitude of restaurants. Prices are typically very reasonable but a ferang may end up paying more than a Thai would, so if you have a Thai wife, send her out to buy everything, she will get it cheaper in many, if not all cases. Shopping seems to be where the greatest amount of discrimination is displayed. The view is ALL ferang are RICH, therefor can afford to pay 10 baht more for a piece of fried chicken or maybe 5000 baht more for a dining table! Not all vendors are the same though and display their prices so everyone pays the same. These are the only places where I will go shopping with my wife.
Drinks too are sold everywhere, reasonable enough as it is always so hot. Bottles of water are typically about 10 baht and are served cold. Alcohol and tobacco are very well priced in Thailand too, as are many items, but there are also items that are very expensive, and this is normally because it is imported.
Popular Meals
As with any country, there are hundreds of different meals that are made but you typically see far fewer meal types are more common than many others. Below are the most popular meals, both home made or served in restaurants, market stalls and street vendors. Virtually all meals will have either sticky rice, steamed rice or one of the wide range of noodles included.
Sticky Rice (ข้าวเหนียว)
Sticky rice is by far the most popular in Issan, possibly throughout Thailand. It is a different strain of rice that is used when making steamed rice, and has a natural sugar content. Sticky rice however needs some preparation as it needs to be soaked in water for up to 3 hours before it is ready to be cooked. The rice is placed over boiling water in a conical shaped bamboo retainer until soft enough to eat. The cooking process will normally take between 20 - 30 minutes and is then transferred in to round bamboo container specifically made for the purpose, and covered with a bamboo lid. This keeps the heat very effectively.
Virtually anything that can be considered as "finger food" can be eaten with the sticky rice but perhaps most common is small pieces of chicken, pork, beef or fish. |
Pad Krapow
Pad Krapow is normally available with shredded chicken or pork, or minced pork and is brilliant! Some places will have other variations including a crispy pork version (Krapow Moo Grob) Served with a fried egg (or two), steam rice and basil leaves. Again if you need less chili added then ask. If bought in a restaurant you will also get a small bowl with fish oil and sliced chili. Sometimes you will need to ask as the Thai's do not think us ferang want it, but it is well worth having and costs no more . I adore the fish oil over the rice and yet I was never a big fan of fish (in the eating sense) in the UK.
Normally includes other vegetables including onions, peppers, green beans and garlic (Thai's use quite a lot of garlic in their cooking). |
Massaman Curry (มัสมั่น)
There are several different curry types on offer in Thailand but for me the outstanding curry is Massaman, especially with chicken. Massaman curry paste is mixed with coconut powder and is just delicious. Many people will cook with several Kaffir Lime Leaves for a slightly different taste though they are not edible. In restaurants and market stalls you will normally find this curry has a thin texture but my wife makes the sauce more like that of a UK curry, thickening it with cornflower. Just about any vegetable can be included but we normally make it with just chicken and potato, a bit like a UK Vindaloo.
Massaman curry actually has its origins in Malaysia and is very popular in Southern Thailand and is normally served with steamed rice |
Thai Red Curry (แกงเผ็ด)
Thai Red Curry is a popular dish comprising of red curry paste cooked in coconut milk. It is primarily a meat based curry dish with chicken, pork or beef being most popular but you may find duck available in some places.
If you like shellfish then a shrimp variety is readily available in most places. It is possible to find a vegetarian version too, though it does not seem to be anywhere near as popular. |
Pad Thai
Laab or Larb (ลาบหมู)
Lab is basically minced pork mixed with a little pork skin, sliced liver, dried chilli, spring onion and basil leaves, or at least that is how it is usually made in the Udon region from what I have seen. There is also a dash of lime juice and mint leaf but these are not obvious when eating. Ingredients can of course vary with difference vegetables added. Laab is widely available and when bought from a restaurant or market stall etc it is going to be a little spicy, but is not normally too spicy. When bought from a market to take home, it is useful to have a microwave oven to hand to reheat it as it will be cold, if it was even warm when you bought it.
Laab is normally eaten with steam rice in Bangkok and southern Thailand but in Udon, the local Thai's will eat with sticky rice. A glass of iced water is likely to be required to cool the inside of your mouth. |
Pohpiah (เปาะเปี๊ยะ)
One quick glance at Pohpiah and you will probably think of a Spring Roll that is served in countless Chinese Restaurants and Take-Away establishments, and that is because Pohpiah is essentially the same thing though the ingredients of the filling can vary.
A outer "skin" of Pohpiah is a thin paper-like crepe or pancake which is made from wheat flour and deep fried, creating a crispy and flaky outer crust. Depending where you buy them the inner contents are likely to be a combination of Minced Pork and either Bean Sprouts or Glass Rice Noodles with a few herbs to add a little flavour and give them a slightly spicy taste, though far from being strong. These are perhaps more of a snack than a proper meal for most as they are quite expensive compared to other foods, at between 40 - 45 baht each. |
Fried Chicken & Cashew Nuts
A stir fry dish introduced from China and providing you do not have an allergy to nuts, this is to die for. Chunky bits of chicken with cashew nuts, onions, peppers and steam rice in an excellent sauce.
It is not spicy, as Thai food goes, so is easily manageable for most ferang and I have yet to find one of these dishes that never satisfied my appetite. It is one of the more expensive meals on a restaurant menu but worth every baht paid. |
Ba Mee Moo (Pork)
Ba Mee Moo is a very simple and dry dish comprising of egg noodles with pork balls and/or some shredded pork. On its own it is perhaps a little bland so adding chili powder, chili sauce, or fish sauce makes it a tastier meal. This is a very common meal with the local Thai's and there is a "soup" version available too (Ba Mee Moo Naam) which will also have a little more taste to it.
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