You could be in the middle of a dense Thai jungle, on a remote beach on Koh Tao, or in a Bangkok ghetto yet somehow there’s always a street stall within 100 feet. It’s perhaps Thailand’s greatest achievement, and, I’m not going to lie, the primary motivator behind this trip to Thailand.
Although there’s a huge variety of street food, the most common kind are BBQ’d things on sticks. They’ve got pork, chicken, beef, fish, and squid on sticks. They’ve got scallops wrapped in bacon and even scorpions on sticks. And it’s all dangerously delicious and delightfully cheap.
Today I wandered into a weekend street market in the city of Thong Sala on the island of Koh Pha Ngan (Ko pan yang). Here I found all my favorite things on sticks as well as a lot more. Check it out for yourself.
Thai style sushi for just 15 cents a piece! Fresh octopus with the perfect amount of chewiness.
Quail egg with mayonnaise and fish eggs! Amazing combo!
Glorious Tamago (sweet Japanese style egg)
Too much Thai sushi goodness. Like the Japanese, they’re all about presentation.
The magic maker.
Sweet and spicy Thai sauce marinated chicken on a stick for 1$ each by someone’s winning grandma.
I thought they were crazy bugs or tiny monsters the first time I saw them. But they’re actually mother natures sweet and sour eyeball shaped “Sour Patch Kids.” 65 cents for 30 Rambutans. Just ate about 15 while uploading these photos and I feel empowered.
Glazed pork on a stick, enough said.
Thai style Japanese Shumai or pork and vegetable dumpings.
BBQ’d Thai scallops on the half shell garnished with fried onions, vegetables and a tangy Thai sauce.
More meats on sticks. Chicken and pork sausages.
If I ever own a street stand, I’m taking her spot.
Happy people = happiness inducing food.
That’s definitely a pre-fart face right there. I totally feel her. Too much goodness in one afternoon.
He just received 100 Bhat from his mom and he’s got that pork on a stick gleam in his eye. This is how I looked for most of the afternoon.
They call Thailand the land of smiles. I call it the land of cheap and delicious street stalls.
I just have to wish my Mom and Aunt, two of the biggest foodies I know, a Happy Birthday. I ate it all for you!
Also, huge thanks to Sean from Hawaii for making these photos possible!
Lief, you inspired me to “run away” years ago now I’m going to drive from Thailand to Europe by motorbike. If you’re coming to Chiang Mai I’d love to meet you and show you around :)
Hey Jay, that’s amazing! I’m really excited for you and kind of envious too! There’s a chance I may be heading north to Chang Mai soon. How
‘s the weather up there? I feel like Malaysia might be too rainy for my tastes right now.
This is making me hungry! those eggs look um.. interesting
haha, they’re delicious!
What a colorful photo essay this is and I’m viewing it at 5am in the morning :|
I miss Thailand! It’s been more than two years since I had a bit of adventure there teehee
Hey Mica, thanks! I thought of doing the dance on Khao San road!