Chiang Mai Deals - 10 Ways to Eat Cheaper in Thailand's Cultural Center

Known for rock-bottom eating expenses, most visitors to Thailand nevertheless overspend on food, but in Chiang Mai, deals are just around every corner. The more adventurous traveler who seeks a more authentic Thai experience or wants to make his/her travel money go even further can find cheaper, and often tastier, alternatives if they know what to look for. Many other long-term visitors are baffled when I tell them of my favorite venues, where I get a huge plate of yellow rice with fried chicken, a cup of fish soup, half of a sliced cucumber, and ice water for 50 baht (1.43 USD). And that is on one of the most Westernized islands in Thailand!

In Chiang Mai, it gets even better. There is no reason why you cannot eat a full meal for 30 baht (86 cents) in this town, but I have also managed to hunt down places where you can eat a full meal with ice water included for 10 baht (10 cents) or get noodle soup for 3 baht (9 cents)!

After living here for eight and a half months, I have come up with these ten tips:

1: Take a Hike--
Forgo the motorbike or tuk tuk your first day or two in a new location. Skip the taxis and walk. This slows you down and gives you a feel for the place like no motorized transport ever can. The cheap eateries are often barely noticeable, as they are often in people's homes, and signs which whizzed by on the bike are attention grabbers at a walking pace. Whoah--noodle soup for 20 baht! Know your surroundings, and you will know how to best take advantage of them.

2. Avoid the Tourist Traps--
This should go without saying, but most people are too tempted by the wide array of options in the main tourist junctions to bother venturing beyond the action. Even in chaotic Bangkok, all one has to do is walk one block either direction from Khao San Road to find delicious meals for around 30 baht and walk away full (free water or iced tea included). Did you come to Thailand to eat Thai food or hamburgers and pasta?

3. Don't Judge a Book by...
Yawn. That age old adage once again...If you have heard it once...Ahem. Anyhow, it rings true yet again. In Thailand, the extra dollar or two in pricier restaurants is usually a reflection of increased decor rather than increased quality. In fact, the vice versa is sometimes a better rule of thumb. When you pay more, you are paying for ambience. That's is great if this is what you want, but if you are looking for better food at lower prices, look for establishments with the bare necessities. Plastic furniture that doesn't match. An absence of music. An antique television set blaring Thai soap operas. Hokey thrown-together decor. Many of these places are just extensions of the Thai entrepreneur's home, and dining there will give you a much closer look at Thai culture.

4. You Just Can't Beat the Streets--
The entire world over you will find open-air street food, and it is usually the best value in any given area. This is particularly true in Southeast Asia. Sometimes you will find the usual collection of plastic furniture out front and full service, but often you will just get a small, disposable dish or be expected to eat out of a plastic bag. If it is close enough to finger food, I tell them to save the plastic and eat it out of my hands, but of course it depends on if I'm eating a piece of barbecued chicken or chicken curry.

5. Forage at the Food Markets--
Chiang Mai's cheapest venues offer an amazing culinary adventure, and the markets are a revelation to anyone who has never had the pleasure. Pick your way through the various stalls, sampling new dishes, or hit the collection of cheap roadside eateries which often accompany traditional markets. My favorite part about the markets is they stay open until the early hours of the morning, so if I am on my way back from the disco I can stop and fill up. I'll tell you what--it's a lot better than pulling through the late-night Burger King drive-throughs in America...The best Chiang Mai deals are found in the marketplaces.

6. Compare Prices--
Do not be shy about walking in to a restaurant, browsing the menu, and then leaving. Thais appreciate competition. If you feel guilty, simply smile and say, "Pop kan mai (see you again)." Do this on your walking tours to get a grasp of the local prices and to see what your options are.

7. Be Adventurous--
Try new things, even if they scare you. You might be surprised. Many foods which seem alien to Westerners will be cheap because tourists avoid them. Also, reconsider your notion of cleanliness. In your home country clean may mean pretty, but, to Thais, clean is simply clean. If a lot of people are eating there, you can rest assured the food is likely safe. Don't blame me if you get Bangkok belly--it is going to happen to you whether you follow my advice or not. Stomach problems in Thailand are an initiation every Westerner experiences, but it is far more often the result of bacteria or spices your body is not used to rather than sanitation issues. Don't worry. :-)

8. When in Rome...
Ah! Not another cliché...Go where the locals go! This is probably the most important, and most often overlooked, guideline to eating cheaply. Many of the local Thais are living on less 10,000 baht or less a month, and even those with more money naturally seek out the best food at the lowest prices. If I want to find a new place to eat with delicious and sanitary food, I just drive around and look for a small crowd of Thai people eating outside, but it is even better if you have a Thai friend from Chiang Mai to show you around.

9. Speak Thai--
In Thailand, there is almost always a Thai price and a "farang" price. No matter how long you stay, this will apply to you as well--you will never "become" Thai in any sense. However, open up to people and try to speak their language and you may often receive a discounted price or larger portions, especially if you're a regular customer. One time at the Chiang Mai Aquarium, I received a major discount off the stated entrance fee after attempting broken Thai. "Raakha thourai (how much)?" I repeated, thinking I had misunderstood. "Speak Thai--get Thai price," the young girl said with a smile.

10. Manipulate the Menu--
Do you really have to eat meat with EVERY dish? I opted for a pad thai with vegetable instead of with chicken one time, and it was topped with an omelette so big it covered the entire dish to compensate (not exactly vegetarian, afterall lol). It ended up being one of the best pad thais I've ever had. Do they offer special dishes served on rice for individuals (always a fantastic bargain)? Sometimes, there is no apparent price motive between different dishes, and the reasoning is a mystery. If you are on a budget, choose wisely. Let's face it-everything on the menu is delicious!

And one more, just for good measure...

11: Eat with the Thais--
Though you should never purposely take advantage of this, Thais are some of the most generous people in the world. Stumble upon a Thai party and you will be ushered into a chair to be force-fed Thai whiskey and delicious food, even if you have no reason to be there. Say you are full and you're plate will be repeatedly refilled. If this happens to you, DO NOT offer to pay. It would be an insult, although, if you accompany less well-off Thais to a restaurant you are expected to pay. One night, while waiting to catch the morning boat across the river to Laos, I crashed a Teacher's Cub karaoke party and ended up buddying up with the school director. We got wasted, sang "Stand by Me" for the crowd, and he invited me to come stay with his family for an extended period. If you really get in well with Thais you may have the pleasure to attend a delicious Thai home BBQ. Bring a bottle or two of beer. If you are settling in for the long-term, you may even end up throwing a few of these at your place. Not to worry--there are plenty of places to purchase heaps of cheap meat and vegetables.

In Chiang Mai, deals are not hard to come by, no matter what kind of bargain you are looking for. Even if you prefer fine dining, classy clubs, and luxury hotels, you will surely find a value that far exceeds the money you spend.

Chok dee khrab!

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Sandpoint Restaurants

Sandpoint restaurants come in all shapes and sizes, with almost every cuisine style and ethnicity imaginable. From sushi to creole to Thai to Italian, with a healthy dose of good old fashioned American food thrown in the mix, Sandpoint's restaurants will fulfill your every culinary desire. With price points from cheap to uber-spendy, Sandpoint restaurants cover every wallet size as well as appetite.

Some of the best Sandpoint restaurants are also the most easily reached and accessible from all the downtown hotels. Sandpoint is a walking town, after all. From the heart of downtown, your choices of eateries is expansive.Trinity At City Beach, located next to the Best Western Hotel at City Beach has an amazing menu and unbelievable views of Lake Pend Oreille. Don't miss the Jamaican Jerk Sandwich. Head uptown across Bridge Street. To your left when you hit 1st Avenue are Starbucks, Spuds, Sand Creek Grill and Ivanos. A couple streets south and west you'll find The Hydra Restaurant and the Blue Moon Cafe.

The Hydra has great steaks and the Blue Moon Cafe makes a breakfast so good and so big that you'll hurt yourself trying to eat it all.Walk up Church Street and you'll find Joe Philadelphia Cheese Steak Hoagie Factory. Don't miss the meatball sandwich. Right around the corner is Bangkok Cuisine, Sanpoint's premier Thai restaraunt, and quite simply, the best Thai food I've had outside of Thailand.Going North from Bridge Street on 1st Avenue, you have a plethora of choices.

A&P Bar & Grill has good burgers and stiff drinks. Across the street, Oishii Sushi offers great sushi and small plates, as well as a full bar and must be seen to be believed 1920's Chicago Gangster theme. Upstairs from Oishii is Spar. Spar offers a full martini bar and tapas. 20 feet further North from Oishii, you'll find The 219 Lounge, celebrating their 75th anniversary this year. The 219 Lounge heralds itself as Sandpoint's 5 star dive bar, and they're right.

There are many more Sandpoint restaurants, this is just a smattering of the 45+ restaurants in Sandpoint, Idaho. Take some time to explore Sandpoint on your next visit, you never know what kind of culinary delights await you.

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Thai Food - Lake Mary, FL - Take A Date To Your Local Thai Restaurant

Did you know that there are several Thai restaurants in Lake Mary and Seminole County Fl? Looking for something a bit out of the ordinary for that special person in your life. If you are really looking for something unique and will be guaranteed to impress then you can't go wrong with a Thai restaurant.

The foods of Thailand are a unique delicacy that should be enjoyed by anyone that tries it. Thai food can be quite spicy so it is probably a good idea to find out how your date feels about spicy foods. How badly will your date go if you find out after the fact that he or she simply cannot tolerate spicy? It can set the tone for the whole evening. If your date is not opposed to spicy foods then by all means bring them to a Thai restaurant. If your date has never had Thai food it will be interesting for you to see how this person reacts to something a bit out of the ordinary. Do you really want to continue dating someone who is not willing to try new things? Of course you don't.

A Thai restaurant is not your typical fare and you will be going a long way to impressing your date with your diverse tastes. Just as you are interested in a person who is up for new things you can show your date that you are willing to try new things as well. And isn't that the purpose of a date, to show the person what you are like and to learn what they are like.

Take your time in a Thai restaurant to enjoy each others company and have a great time trying new dishes that you have never tried before. It can be quite fun for a couple to sample each other's dishes and see what the other likes and does not like. It might be that you both don't like Thai food, or that you both do. Or maybe there is a difference of opinion on Thai food. Whatever the outcome of your experience you will be going a long way to finding out how your date reacts to different situations, how they react to a difference of opinion and overall how you both like Thai food!

Taking a date to an unusual restaurant is a risky move. You are actually learning a great deal about the person you are interested in. Use this experience to decide if you want to continue dating or not. If all goes well you will have your experience in a Thai restaurant as a fond memory that you will both look back on fondly. Hopefully, you will both enjoy the food and each other's company and come away from your date having had a wonderful experience.

In our next article we will give you our recommendations on the best Thai food and restaurants in Lake Mary and Seminole County Fl. Good luck!

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The Temple Of The Emerald Buddha

The temple of the Emerald Buddha is located in a separate complex within the compound of the Grand Palace. This temple is considered to be Thailand's holiest shrine. Officially the temple is called Wat Phra Si Rattanasatsadaram.

The temple of the Emerald Buddha is built along the same lines as the grand chapels from the Sukhothai and Ayutthaya eras, and no monks live within the temple.

The Emerald Buddha image housed inside the temple is 66 cm tall and is made from jade. The image sits on top of a gilded ornate altar inside the royal chapel. Usually the image is dressed in three different costumes based on the season. The image is dressed in a crown and jewelry in the hot season; a golden shawl in winter; and a gilt robe and headdress in the rainy season. Every time the costume of the Emerald Buddha is changed, the King presides over the ceremony.

The inside walls of the chapel are covered with murals showing the Buddha's teachings, and scenes from the Jataka tales about Buddha's daily life. The doors of the chapel have mother-of-pearl inlays depicting scenes from the Hindu epic Ramayana.

The Royal Pantheon houses statues of the past sovereigns of the ruling dynasty and this is only open to the visitors on Chakri Day. The Royal Pantheon is surrounded by gilded male and female half-human figures giving it a very impressive look.

The massive golden pagoda of Phra Si Rattana Chedi enshrines a fragment of Buddha's breastbone. The library is in the Phra Mondop and it houses the Buddhist scriptures. However, this building is closed to public.

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The Beauty of Grilled Chicken

I love street cafés and kiosks. The represent a look into the soul of the food culture of an area, the stuff the real people are eating each and every day. To make things all the better, the dishes even happen to be incredibly delicious. One of the staples of street food is the same the world over - chicken.

Mexico, New York, Bangkok, Shanghai, Tuscany...go anywhere and you'll find chicken on the grill. It is a staple protein source of most cultures, but that doesn't mean it comes in a standard form of preparation. Every culture adds their own twists to the mighty chicken be it through spices, dips or cooking techniques. This means you can easily spice up your chicken meals with the smallest of changes. Let's take a quick look at some options.

Beer can chicken is a specialty that's come out of Texas. It sounds a bit iffy at best, but produces an absolutely succulent chicken. To prepare it, you need to remove the innerds of the chicken. Clean and coat the chicken with Memphis Rub. Now take any can of beer and punch a number of holes in the top of the can. Place the can on a grill and place the chicken over it so that the can is inside the bird. Cook until the chicken meat is falling off the bird...about an hour.

The marinated bird is our second choice. Chicken is unique in that you can use a wide variety of marinating mixes to give it very unique tastes. The list is nearly endless, so just do a search on the web to see all the options. That being said, keep in mind that the skin of chicken will repel any marinade that you use. You must loosen the skin and apply the marinade under it. Do so and the meat will pick up flavor quickly.

Palestininan chicken kebobs are the stuff of legend. The chicken is wicked good off the grill because hints of cinnamon and cardamom are added to it. Just try it and you'll be adding it to your must grill list. The first step is to create a marinade. Mix 1 cup plain yogurt, 3 tablespoons of lemon juice, 6 cloves minced, a teaspoon of salt, half a teaspoon of cinnamon, a half a teaspoon of pepper and a quarter teaspoon of ground cardamom. Marinate and cover the chicken four to twelve hours. Cook the kebabs as you would normally. Delicious!

The beauty of grilled chicken is you can go in so many ways with it. You'll love the above, but don't be afraid to experiment and come up with your own specialties.

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Thai Girls And Thailand Travel in 5 Easy Steps

If you've hit an age where meeting attractive younger (than you) girls or women seems to be a wicked challenge, maybe it's time to consider opening your mind to new horizons. Yes I'm talking about Thai girls and Thai women here. And doing it from a guy who has lived in Thailand for the best part of four years.

But before we meet the perfect Thai girl, why Thailand? Maybe it's the attention. It's hard not to be taken by people who seem to be always smiling, welcoming and friendly. And with a great 'not too serious about anything much' attitude and the Thai Buddhist qualities, well, it's all quite compelling.

Anyway, Thailand is a world in itself, so be prepared to be amazed and have all your normal 'logical' thinking replaced with ongoing illogical and strange behavior. In other words, Thailand is a completely weird place. Just remember that when you travel to a foreign country, after you get there, you become the foreigner...

Amongst all its differences, the pleasures are true and fascinating. There's no doubt Thailand is a crazy world. But strangely enough, it seems to hang together well. And the proof is in the pudding... having thrown myself into this lifestyle, I now feel somewhat 'apprehensive' about having to travel to a Western country and meet Western people. Why would I feel that way?

Maybe because I've been immersed in smiling, polite Thai people who always welcomed me and wanted to know about me. Maybe because I've been surrounded by Thai food that is always so important everywhere you go. Food that... "shows how we delicately care about feelings of people." And then there's the Thai girls...

Let's talk about Thai girls and the Thai world through these 5 simple steps:

Step one: Go to http://yourthaigirl.com and read the downloadable ebook, (and while you're there sign up to the Thai Girl, Thai Life newsletter). In this ebook you'll learn all about Thai culture, lifestyle, and of course, Thai girls.

You get savvy on what to do, what not to do, when to do it, and where to go and do it. You'll know what it all means, and the ebook will give you the 'inside picture' to the world of Thailand.

Step two: Book your ticket to Thailand as soon as you can. When you arrive, prepare for the slam... the heat... an invisible hammer that hits you with its mighty force... rushes to greet you with the power of a thousand simmering angels...

And yet, before you know it, you'll be slipping down the long passageways inside the cool air conditioned airport. Get your bags, your bearings, your Thai girl book and prepare for your biggest journey. (Hey, Thailand is not as hot as you think :-)

Step three: Get out and meet and greet people. Prepare your name card, your few words of Thai, a nice hotel or resort with a funny name, and your best clothes. In this country, it pays to look good. Thai's like to be clean, fresh, and attractive. No kidding.

Step four: Just be you. Expect lots of questions. The Thai's want to learn English... speak English with you. You'll have a great, precious, remarkable time. Be adventurous. Be a tourist. Learn new things. Travel on the sky train.

Step five: That's it, all done. Remember though to keep light-hearted. The Thai's like to have fun, not be 'too serious' and will appreciate it if you show respect to the things that are important to them. The key word is enjoyment. Have fun.

Actually, there's really nothing to it. It's so easy (once you're here!) The main thing is to keep your calm, appreciate the beauty of Thai girls, seek out quality relationships, and let me know how it all goes, okay.

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Chinese Shrimp and Shitake Mushroom Soup

This is one of my favorite soups, it has been cooked by my family for many years. As with most soups, this one seems to be best served on cold days.
This recipe doesn't take long to make and it's not difficult.
I usually look for sales on shrimp and store them in the freezer, that way I can make a bowl (or more) whenever I feel like having it.
If you're looking for a different spin on soup this is definitely the recipe for you!

Difficulty (Scale from 1-10): 5

Serves: 6
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients

1 pound of raw shrimp
1 tablespoon of corn starch
1 teaspoon of salt
3 extra large egg whites
5 cups of chicken stock
2 cups of shitake mushrooms - sliced
1 1/2 tablespoons additional cornstarch
1/3 cup of dry sherry
1 tablespoon of soy sauce
1 tablespoon of sesame oil
1/2 cup of frozen peas

Preparation of Soup

Wash and drain shrimp. Remove shells, heads, and de-vein. Add stock to a large pot, boil then simmer and add shrimp.
Boil for 15 minutes, then remove shrimp from stock. Leave stock in pot and set aside.

Chop shrimp so that they are very fine, until almost pureed, gradually adding a tablespoon of water while chopping.

Blend 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with one tablespoon of water, and salt; then combine with shrimp puree (This may be done before hand).
Beat egg whites until stiff (this may be done before hand), and fold into the puree.

Combine the additional 1 1/2 tablespoons of cornstarch with sherry, soy sauce, and sesame oil.
Bring stock to a boil, add sliced mushrooms and cornstarch mixture, stir until the soup boils and thickens.
Add shrimp mixture and peas, then let the soup reach a gentle simmer once again.

Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve immediately.
Enjoy your meal!

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The Mysteries of the Exotic - Thai Cooking

You don't have to wear Thai chef pants or travel to Thailand to enjoy the fresh tastes of Thai cooking. Thai cooking continues to grow in popularity in North America, Australia and Europe alike, showcasing ingredients such as rice and noodles, fish, vegetables, unique spice combinations all with very little meat.

When most people think of corporate identity apparel in the restaurant industry there are half a dozen iconic brands that might come to mind. But walking through the busy night markets in Bangkok the work attire of the various vendors is just as varied as the fresh ingredients that are brought in each morning. (Visitors are advised to arrive early because there are rarely any leftovers.) This night market illustrates the benchmark of Thai cooking: eat fresh. By choosing items that have a relatively short shelf life, you are sure to make more health conscious dishes and use more locally grown foods.

While uniforms hotel are important to the hotel business, finding just the right Thai restaurant uniform is just as an important decision for the rising Thai restaurateur. In cities from San Francisco to Sydney, Thai restaurants have expanded locations, allowing greater freedom and creativity on the menu. While favorites such as Money Bags (Tung Tong), a crispy filled pastry created in the royal kitchens of Thailand, are a staple appetizer on numerous menus; flash fried soft-shell crab offer another taste sensation for the diner looking to expand the Thai food experience.

But no Thai meal would be complete without rice. Jasmine rice, saffron and sticky rice are popular rice choices to accompany your meal. One added health benefit of rice is that its starch base is readily converted to glycogen, giving much needed energy to the muscles of the body. Brown rice is the healthiest rice, as it is higher in oils and vitamins.

For main dishes, the Thai novice should start with a simple Pad Thai, a dish of thin rice noodles with bean sprout, crushed peanuts and red onion; or, perhaps, a serving of Massamun Curry made with coconut milk and onion accented with cashews and fried red onion. One of the great things about Thai food is that it is made to share, so that dining out with a group of friends you can enjoy a sampling of many different dishes without overindulging.

Finally, remember that healthy Thai cooking is really no different from other forms of cooking. If you remember to select nutritionally rich ingredients, maintaining the inherent natural goodness of the food, you are on your way to enjoying a well-balanced diet that is imaginative, delicious and good for you.

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How to Cook a Steak Right

To cook a steak right you need to begin by buying the right cut of meat. Try to buy the best quality meat that you can afford. USDA Prime Aged Beef is your best bet followed by Choice, which is the next grade.

The steak should feel firm and look a pale cherry color. It should not be deep red in color. Opt for steaks that have marbling. Marbling refers to the fine fibers of fat that are present in meat and give it added flavor.

While choosing steaks, pay attention to their thickness rather than their weight. Good steaks are between an inch and inch and a half in thickness. Very thin steaks are likely to be dry.

Before starting to cook steaks, bring them to room temperature. If your steak is too cold, the meat will contract when it comes into contact with heat. This will cause the meat to toughen.

Ideally you should take your steaks out of the refrigerator at least an hour before you plan to start cooking. Using paper towels, pat them dry. The steak should be as dry as possible before you cook it.

Never add salt to your steaks before cooking them. Salting meat ahead of cooking makes it moist and you just end up steaming it instead of actually cooking it. Add salt after cooking the steaks, just before you serve them.

If you insist on slating your steaks, makes sure you use sea salt or kosher salt - not table salt. Sprinkle salt on both sides of the meat. Allow the steak to rest for an hour at room temperature. The next step is to rinse the steak with water so that any excess salt gets washed away. Pat the steak with paper towels till it is completely dry and then begin cooking.

The secret to getting your steaks right is to use a meat thermometer while grilling. You should take the steaks out from the grill five degrees ahead of reaching the desired temperature. As a rule, to cook your steaks rare, you should cook at a temperature of 120 degrees F, at 125 degrees F for medium rare and at 130 degrees F for medium. For best results, buy a digital meat thermometer.

You should always allow the steaks to rest for ten minutes before serving them. This is because the meat keeps cooking even after you remove it from the grill.

If you are planning to cook your meat in a pan, make sure you use a heavy pan over a moderate heat. Heat olive oil in the pan, add the steaks and sear them while moving them around using tongs. Normally cooking for about 5 minutes on each side is sufficient. Check to see if the meat is done by inserting a meat thermometer. Once the steaks are done to your satisfaction, take them off the pan and cover them with aluminum foil. Let the steaks stand for ten minutes before serving them. You can either serve the steaks whole or you can slice them thinly.

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