Cha-Am Food Scene.pdf

Nicholas Lander visited Cha-Am, a Thai village with a passion for food, located a 2.5-hour drive from Bangkok. He discovered two stalls by the estuary selling fresh seafood, including oysters for less than £1 for 20 and blue swimmer crabs for £5 a kilo. The town's night market caters to locals, with a wide variety of food stalls, including some selling unusual dishes.

Lander followed Chef Thanunya Kaikaew to the town's food market, where they bought seawater prawns, sea bass, clams, and scallops. The prawns were vast, and Kaikaew decided to grill them with a tamarind sauce. They also purchased local specialities, including stingray and horseshoe crab.

At the market, Lander was impressed by the variety of fresh herbs and vegetables, including wild ginger, Thai basil, and morning glory. Back in the hotel kitchen, he helped prepare dishes, including a tamarind sauce, stir-fried prawns, and a local soup. A female chef cooked the morning glory, transforming it into a delicious dish in just 90 seconds.