Umami Mart Registry
Street food in Bangkok

Recently I took a trip to Southeast Asia, starting off in Thailand. I decided to make the trip up as I went. I didn't even have a place to stay when I first arrived -- a challenge when you land at 10pm. But my first post back has nothing to do with Thai food. Rather, I'd like to begin with Bangkok's "ethnic enclave" -- Chinatown.


I live in San Francisco so I tend to think we have the ultimate Chinatown; it's one of the oldest in North America. I'm also originally from San Jose which is home to several communities, such as, "Little Saigon", "Little Portugal", and "Japantown." But Chinatown in Thailand has a tremendous energy to it. Maybe it was the neon lights and the cars whizzing by, but it was exciting to say the least.

So on Day Two in Bangkok, I took a tuk-tuk ride down to Chinatown for dinner and started looking around. Not even a few steps into the journey, I saw two massive crowds huddling around opposing street corners. There were two stalls hawking some of the finest seafood around, but unfortunately, I didn't have the patience for the crowds (I'll leave that meal for my next post). I continued onward and ended up wandering down a small street.

And then I found it.

There was a little push cart with several customers huddled around it. On top of the cart were piles of cockles and mussles.

Street food in Bangkok

After a minute of observing the customers enjoying the food and noting the freshness, I jumped right in.

Street food in Bangkok

I decided to start off with the mussels. While I waited, the matriarch asked if I wanted the sauce spicy. While I love spicy food, there's no point in ruining my meal by making something "Thai hot."

Street food in Bangkok

It was time to give my mussels a little bath. The cook of the operation dipped them in boiling water for maybe 15 seconds before pulling them out:

Street food in Bangkok

And then it was time to eat:

Street food in Bangkok

The sauce that accompanied the clams was definitely peanut-based:

Street food in Bangkok

I dusted this meal in record time and I was only $3 deep, and still a little hungry. I never had cockles before -- its blood-red juice was a little intimidating. But for another $3, why not try?

After another quick hot bath, they were promptly served:

Street food in Bangkok


Both the cockles and mussels all tasted really fresh and clean. Not fishy at all. Right about now was when I was wearing a stupid ear-to-ear grin and snapped away with my camera. The "Boss" of the operation was a sweetie and seemingly appreciated my behavior:

Street food in Bangkok

I am DONE!

Street food in Bangkok

After some back-and-forth Thai-glish, I figured out that this is a family operation. Not only that, but the stall has been in operation for over 36 years! 36 years at that same spot on the street. We're talking about a cart no bigger than a hotdog pushcart with a staff of four.

Street food in Bangkok

They never leave that spot in Chinatown. They even have a Facebook page! Not to mention that they're super sweet -- they flatly refused my attempt at tipping.

COCKLE TEXAS
Soi Phiphasa 2
Chinatown, Bangkok

*Johnny Lopes is back from his journey through southeast Asia and is enjoying his couch back in San Francisco.


Tags:

2 comments

  • God, those look gorgeous. This really makes me want to go there! To that exact spot.

    yoko on

  • That looks amazing. I’m still squeamish about trying seafood from food stalls in Bangkok after living in Europe for so long but checking out the turnover and the freshness seems to be the key. Will definitely try some next time I’m there.

    sakura on

Leave a comment

Please note: comments must be approved before they are published