In the absence of ovens, Thai cooks and street food vendors have become masters of slow cooking over coals. Scales-on, salt-crusted, lemongrass and chili stuffed fish; catfish with a sweet glaze! 

The fish stays delicate without overcooking and the flavors infuse through the meat. 

Sala Daeng, Suam Phlu and Yaowarat, Bangkok, Thailand

While not very commonly used in Thai cuisine, keffir limes have some of the most pungent aroma of all citrus I’ve ever smelled. It’s pungent and floral at the same time. And as an eggplant lover, it’s just tremendous to find tiny marble sized eggplants, oblong young eggplants, round yellow, green and purple eggplants. Khloeng Toey, the largest wet market in Bangkok, is definitely an eye opener. 

Khlong Toey, Bangkok, Thailand

Rock shrimp have surprisingly delicate meat more similar to a flaky fish than a shrimp. Their flavor is sweet but still fishy. The mollusks in the back are snails that are commonly grilled in the streets of Bangkok. You need to be very careful to get the whole animal out of its shell including the uni / sea urchin-like delicate organs Paragon Mall, Bangkok, Thailand High-res

Rock shrimp have surprisingly delicate meat more similar to a flaky fish than a shrimp. Their flavor is sweet but still fishy. The mollusks in the back are snails that are commonly grilled in the streets of Bangkok. You need to be very careful to get the whole animal out of its shell including the uni / sea urchin-like delicate organs

Paragon Mall, Bangkok, Thailand

Belacan fried rice with crispy dry shrimp and shrimp paste Garnished with sweet omelette, sweet chicken, green mango, Thai chili, long beans, onions and cucumbers. Super sour green mangos go so well with the sweet chicken and the deep flavors of the shrimp paste fried rice. This is a fascinating plate with great colors, textures and flavors. South Sathorn, Bangkok, Thailand High-res

Belacan fried rice with crispy dry shrimp and shrimp paste

Garnished with sweet omelette, sweet chicken, green mango, Thai chili, long beans, onions and cucumbers. Super sour green mangos go so well with the sweet chicken and the deep flavors of the shrimp paste fried rice. This is a fascinating plate with great colors, textures and flavors.

South Sathorn, Bangkok, Thailand