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The Thais eat fish, prawns or other items foreigners think
of as 'seafood' at virtually every meal. Basic condiments
like fish sauce, shrimp paste, and pla rah are all made from
fermented fish or seafood. Tom yam gung, a delicious sour
and hot broth brimming with shrimp, is often considered Thailand's
'national dish'. Another regular is tod man pla, an unusual
melange of fried minced fish, curry paste, and sliced long
beans. Hearkening back to the days before refrigeration, dried
and salted fish are served in a variety of ways and are still
a mainstay of the Kingdom's diet. There will also be lots
of squid, catfish, 'serpent head' fish, and Nile River Tilapia.
All are day to day favourites in homes and ordinary restaurants.
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However, when Thais go to a restaurant specializing in seafood,
the menu broadens considerably. The items previously mentioned
will be present, but will take a backseat to a host of other
dishes with their culinary roots in China. Crab, cockles,
mussels, oysters, lobsters, will suddenly appear. Cooking
methods and sauces will change and there will be items like
Crab with Curry Sauce, Lobster Cooked in XO Sauce and Grilled
Clams or Cockles. Fish will be steamed and served with a variety
of sauces, as well as grilled and fried. Lobster and giant
prawns, pricey items for the average Thai, will play a big
role and will often arrive at the table after spending time
on a grill.
Going out for seafood is a big event for Thais and they always
seem to have a good time. Joining them will be a highlight
of any holiday, particularly when the restaurant is in the
area around Hua Hin. Many of the restaurants are found in
Hua Hin town on Naresdamri Road, just south of the pier. Ao
Takiap beach, 5km to the south has several famous places,
and there are some excellent restaurants to the north as you
approach Cha-am. The least expensive, and most popular with
Thais, are scattered along Phetkasem Road.
Chao Lay Seafood
15 Naresdamri Rd. Hua Hin
Tel: 0-3251-3436
Popular outdoor restaurant on pylons over the water by the
pier in Hua Hin.
Chom View Seafood
Cha-am Beach Front Road
Cha Am
0-3243-0350
Smashing seafood served right on the beach in a rustic,
open air setting.
La Mer
Khao Takiab Beach
Hua Hin
Tel: 0-3253- 6205
Popular seafood restaurant located on a hill overlooking
the beach that gets high marks for both its food and view.
Ketsarin Restaurant
17/1 Naresdamri Road
(at Sea Front near Fishing Pier) Hua Hin
Tel: 0-3251-1339
Big outdoor place right on Hua Hin's sea front near the
pier
Madame Green Seafood
Khao Takiab Village Beach
(at Takiab Road)
Hua Hin,
Tel: 0-3251-2233
Outstanding beachfront seafood in a restaurant popular with
locals as well as tourists.
PLE Seafood Restaurant
Takiab Bay Beach
Hua Hin
Unpretentious open-air dining right on the beach; this restaurant
gets rave reviews.
Rua Rimtarn
12 / 203 Khao Tikiab
Hua Hin
Tel: 0-3251-6277
Seafood served on a 'boat' sitting on land. Large menu of
traditional Thai favourites.
Supratra by the Sea
122/63 Soi Mu Baan Takiab
(at the Supatara Beach Resort)
Hua Hin
Tel 0-3253-6512-2
Romantic dining featuring outstanding seafood in a lovely
setting.
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