"Eat Thai" Festival Review: "Delicious, I tell you! Wow…the best of Southern Thailand!"

Recently, I visited Eathai, the ultimate Thai food destination, renowned for its vast selection and authentic flavors. While I frequently indulge in their signature dishes, this time, I was drawn to the "Magnificent Southern Flavors" festival, running until June 3rd. Upon entering, I was immediately captivated by the vibrant southern Thai culture and the enticing aromas of renowned regional specialties.

Driven by a pre-existing love for southern Thai cuisine, I embarked on a culinary adventure to discover the authentic flavors of the region. My first stop was "Na Hat Yai," a restaurant that prides itself on bringing the authentic taste of Hat Yai to Bangkok. Using ingredients sourced directly from the south, including tender young leaves of "bai liang" from Ranong, succulent "goong gaew" (crystal shrimp) from Songkhla, and genuine southern "sator" beans from Chumporn, the restaurant offers a truly immersive experience. Among the must-try dishes is the "bai liang pad khai goong gaew," featuring stir-fried young "bai liang" leaves with eggs and onions. The highlight of this dish is the perfectly roasted "goong gaew," adding a delightful crunch to the freshly stir-fried "bai liang." The resulting flavor is a harmonious blend of textures and tastes. Next, I sampled the "khao kling goong grob," prepared with specially selected large prawns that are stir-fried with a unique "khao kling" curry paste until the flavors are fully absorbed. Each bite delivers a burst of spicy, aromatic flavors, complemented by the satisfying crunch of the prawns. Paired with steaming hot rice, this dish is a true culinary delight. Finally, I had the opportunity to try the "moo hong tom chai kua" (Hat Yai-Malaysian style), a dish featuring thick slices of pork belly, carefully selected for minimal fat content, simmered with dried pickled vegetables ("chai kua"). The resulting flavor is aromatic, balanced, and neither overly sweet, salty, nor fatty. This dish was a personal recommendation from the restaurant, and it did not disappoint.

Next, let's try the spicy signature dish from Nakhon Si Thammarat, "Pla Kad Restaurant", a southern Thai restaurant that guarantees 100% authentic flavors. They use fresh ingredients, herbs, and spices directly sourced from Nakhon Si Thammarat. For the recommended menu, I recommend "Tom Moo Bai Chamuang Muang Kon", which uses tender pork ribs marinated in shrimp paste and boiled with young Chamuang leaves that provide a mild sourness. It is also cooked with local herbs and simmered until it has a well-rounded flavor, making it a perfect and refreshing soup.

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A Culinary Journey Through Southern Thai Cuisine

This passage offers a tantalizing glimpse into the vibrant flavors of Southern Thai cuisine. Let's delve into the dishes described, savoring their unique characteristics:

Spicy and Aromatic Southern-Style Sour Curry with Sea Bass and Coconut Shoots: The freshness of the sea bass takes center stage, complemented by a fiery and fragrant curry paste sourced directly from Nakhon Si Thammarat. The symphony of spicy, sour, and aromatic notes awakens the senses, making each bite an explosion of flavor.

Stir-Fried Pork with Stink Beans and Shrimp Paste: The rich, salty-sweet notes of the Nakhon Si Thammarat shrimp paste infuse the pork, creating a harmonious blend of flavors. The addition of stink beans adds a unique and pungent dimension, sure to delight those who appreciate this bold ingredient.

Spicy Pork Bone Curry: Tender pork bones are simmered in a fiery curry until the sauce thickens, resulting in a dish bursting with intense flavor. The vibrant color adds to the visual appeal, making it a feast for both the eyes and the palate.

Turmeric-Infused Chicken Soup: This comforting soup features chicken simmered with a medley of Southern Thai herbs, including turmeric, lemongrass, and shallots. A touch of chili adds a subtle heat, while the fragrant broth offers a soothing warmth.

Each dish showcases the distinct characteristics of Southern Thai cuisine, emphasizing fresh ingredients, bold flavors, and aromatic complexity. The descriptions evoke a sensory experience, inviting the reader to imagine the vibrant colors, enticing aromas, and delectable tastes.

For those who enjoy eating Khanom Jeen, we recommend Mae Tim's Crab Curry Khanom Jeen Restaurant, which serves delicious Khanom Jeen in the heart of Bangkok. Whether it's Southern-style crab curry and crab roe Khanom Jeen or freshly made Khanom Jeen with spicy fish maw and fresh shrimp curry, the flavors are authentic and delicious.

For seafood lovers, The Cape by Laem Charoen Seafood, a renowned seafood restaurant, offers fresh oysters from Surat Thani that will have you exclaiming "So delicious!" While enjoying Southern cuisine, don't miss the signature Hat Yai Fried Chicken, served hot and sprinkled with crispy shallots. Another must-try is the Trang-style grilled pork, marinated for 12 hours with a secret blend of over 10 spices and grilled for 3 hours, resulting in tender, flavorful meat with an aromatic spice aroma. Additionally, there are numerous other Southern dishes not to be missed, such as Southern Yำ, Gaeng Keow Wan, and Beef Soup, offering a tantalizing array of options.

The festival not only offers delicious food but also showcases the vibrant culture of the south through shadow puppetry performances by Ban Nang Talung Suchart Traiphansin. Visitors can experience the essence of southern culture through the works of Ajarn Watee Traiphansin, the heir of Suchart Traiphansin (National Artist). In addition to showcasing his works, Ajarn Watee will also conduct free shadow puppetry workshops on May 26-27 and June 2-3 from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Popular southern performing arts such as Ram Manorah and Kipas Renang will be presented on May 27 and June 3 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM. As a special offer, customers who dine, shop, or order delivery from Eathai for 1,200 baht (during the event period) will receive a free souvenir from the south.

"A Must-Try Culinary Festival: 'Exquisite Flavors of the South' at Eathai"

This sentence translates to:

"Don't miss the 'Exquisite Flavors of the South' food festival at Eathai, LG floor, Central Embassy, until June 3rd. Delivery is also available. For inquiries, call 02-160-5995 or add the Line ID: @eathaibycentral."


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