Top 5 Irresistible Bangkok Foods For Iron Stomachs

Just when you think you’ve conquered a plate filled with scorching hot chilies, there are other dishes which stand in your way of complete food domination. Thai food in particular contains a wide range of delicacies which many are unheard of because it never leaves the country. The dishes that are presented in this article are dishes that challenge iron stomachs. Not only for their visual appearances but for taste and smell as well. If you’re looking for a Thai dish challenge, this is a great way to learn about your opponents and how to tackle them effectively!

Phad Sataw (Stir Fried Stinky Beans)

I know, the name doesn’t even sound remotely appealing. However, this one of the dishes which is delicious, according to south Thailand people (for example, my dad). Sataw, or stinky beans is an elongated, flat bean stalk with oval seeds. Take out the seeds and stir fry it into huge pan with shrimp paste, garlic, chili, fish sauce and lime; you’re all set. The stench of this dish is unbearable but nobody can discount that stinky beans are appetizing. If you have a stomach and nose of steel, go for it.

Kaeng Tai Pla (Fish Kidney Soup)

This doesn’t sound like the number one dish you’d order but not surprisingly; this dish is served very often at dinner tables. Kaeng tai pla consists mainly of fish guts, gourd, green beans, shrimp paste, turmeric and carrots. The stench is unbearable and the spicy taste shoots up your nose. It’s horrible, but in a good way. You may have to deal with the fact you’ll be eating fish guts rather than fish meat itself, by the way.

Yum Kai Mang Da (Mixed Horseshoe Crab)

I can’t even find a relevant translation for this dish just because of how fishy it is, no pun intended. This dish seems to be a dish created to give you nightmares. The dish itself, not as presentable as you’d hope, contains an overturned horseshoe crab and mixed with shredded green mango, lime and chili. The smell in this dish isn’t bad at all but if you close your eyes and pretend that the dish is something else, you may be able to stomach this prehistoric dish! Don’t expect to find this dish in every restaurant; horseshoe crabs are difficult to come by and are quite expensive. Try this dish if your wallet allows it.

Nom Wua Yang (Grilled Udders)

Out of all the dishes on this list, this is the least gross of them all. Not only that it looks utterly (yes, utterly not udderly) familiar to kor moo yang (grilled pork); the taste isn’t that bad either. What you may have to deal with is the rubbery texture of the meat. Being that the meat is from a cow’s udders, chewing it over and over may cause distaste in the long run. That’s why the meat needs to be dipped in spicy sauce, to mask the taste and texture.

Duck Feet

Duck feet. You cannot go wrong with any sort of feathered feet in Asia. In China and Hong Kong, they eat chicken feet are a delicacy so why not duck feet? In Thailand, people also eat chicken feet as well as duck feet. It’s said that duck feet contain large quantities of collagen which is highly valued in Thailand. Though, before eating it, one has to get over the fact the dish is slimy, gooey and highly cartilaginous. Perhaps if you can swallow the sight of more than 2 pairs of feet on your dish, you’re bound to try anything at this point.

After reading this, do you now dare to try your stomach at Thailand’s unorthodox foods?

Featured images:
  • License: Image author owned
  • License: Image author owned
  • License: Image author owned
  • License: Image author owned
  • License: Image author owned

Emily Chu is a Asian foodie at heart. From eating food side stalls to noteworthy cuisine at The Playground, she loves trying different types of Thai food when she visits the country every year. Her favorite dishes are chicken feet and duck feet.

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