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Ban Tai

Eat and meet

Bang Po

For a true Bang Po Thai-style eating experience on a budget, try a Thai BBQ.

This is not a BBQ in the true sense, but rather an Asian version of a fondue or raclette. A cooking contraption is brought to your table, usually one to share in your group. It consists of hot coals in an earthenware dish, with a dome-shaped metal cover. This cover has serrated holes, allowing the heat through. A chunk of pork fat is placed on top of the dome, which melts and greases the serrated cooking surface. The idea is to gather a supply of raw food from the endless buffet, and place it on the dome to cook. Surrounding the dome is a mote, which one fills with stock provided in a kettle. Blanch your veggies and noodles in the stock, while you grill various meats, prawns, bits of fish, marinated chicken, tofu as well as unidentifiable items on the grill.

Raw salad items are also available, as well as fried rice and spring rolls. A selection of fruit and ice cream is usually included. These restaurants are packed with locals as well as backpackers who have cottoned on to this bargain meal. It works on a pay-per-head basis excluding drinks, ranging from around 100-130 Baht per person, and makes for an interesting evening. If you are not sure what to do, what the locals!

For a more sophisticated BBQ, several beachfront restaurants offer seafood BBQs. Here you choose what you would like grilled, with a selection of fresh seafood displayed on ice. This works on a pay by weight system, and side dishes such as salads, vegetable kebabs, rice, baked potatoes and grilled corn can be ordered. Watch out, as this can get expensive as you say,


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