Krabi night Market, Thailand

Imagine the scent of sizzling street food, the vibrant hues of market stalls, and the lively hum of chatter under a starlit sky. Welcome to the Krabi Night Market, a gastronomic haven in the heart of Thailand. In this blog post, we'll explore the vibrant world of Krabi's night market, from the delectable dishes you must try to top tips for an unforgettable experience.

Krabi Night Market Unveiled

The Krabi Night Market, nestled in the town of Krabi, is a culinary treasure trove that comes alive as the sun sets. This bustling market is a sensory delight, offering a plethora of Thai street food, local crafts, and a glimpse into the vibrant culture of Thailand.

What to Eat: A Gastronomic Adventure

Pad Thai: Start your culinary journey with the classic Pad Thai. This iconic Thai dish combines stir-fried noodles with shrimp, tofu, or chicken, all brought to life with a harmonious blend of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors.

Satay: Satay skewers are a beloved street food. Tender morsels of grilled meat, usually chicken or beef, are served with a luscious peanut sauce and a side of cucumber-onion salad.

Som Tum (Green Papaya Salad): This zesty salad is a symphony of flavors. Shredded green papaya, tomatoes, chilies, peanuts, and lime juice create a spicy and refreshing dish that's perfect for cooling down on warm Krabi nights.

Mango Sticky Rice: For dessert, indulge in Mango Sticky Rice. Sweet, ripe mango slices served on a bed of coconut-infused glutinous rice, drizzled with rich coconut cream—it's pure bliss.

Grilled Seafood: Freshly caught seafood is in abundance. From prawns to fish, you'll find it all. Have it grilled with Thai herbs and spices for a taste of the ocean.

Top Tips for Krabi Night Market

Arrive Early: The market gets crowded quickly, so it's a good idea to arrive early to beat the rush and secure a spot at your favorite food stall.

Cash Is King: Most vendors accept cash only, so make sure to carry enough Thai Baht for your culinary adventure.

Try Everything: Embrace the spirit of adventure and try dishes you've never had before. You might discover a new favorite!

Be Adventurous with Spice: Thai cuisine is known for its bold flavors and heat. If you can handle spice, don't hesitate to ask for your dish "spicy."

Practice Hygiene: Look for vendors who prioritize cleanliness and food safety. It's essential to enjoy your meal without worry.

Haggle at the Craft Stalls: If you're interested in local crafts or souvenirs, don't be afraid to haggle. Bargaining is part of the market culture.

The Krabi Night Market is not just a place to eat; it's an experience that immerses you in the vibrant tapestry of Thai culture and cuisine. As you savor the flavors, soak in the atmosphere, and explore the stalls, you'll find yourself falling in love with the enchanting world of Krabi's night market. So, when you find yourself in Thailand, don't miss the chance to embark on this culinary adventure under the stars. Happy feasting!

-Melissa

The Mojo Market - Sea Point

There is a new foodie hotspot in town and it's called The Mojo Market. A dazzling little space filled with food and design vendors serving up all things delicious. (Yes – even the leather handbags) 

With a large variety of cuisine, this is the new place for inducing food comas! 
You can find traditional South African cuisine such as bunny chows, bobotie and potjie along with international treats such as Mexican, Cuban and Hawaiian (my personal favourite - Hokey Poke - A fresh bowl food concept that I am in love with.)

If you are anything like me and find cheese something of a spiritual experience; be sure to visit raclette store. 
For those that don’t know; raclette is a Swiss cheese that is melted and served with baby potatoes along with pickles and pickled onions. 
This could very well be their greatest claim to fame (along with wartime neutrality and the Large Hadron Collider in Cern)

If you have visited Switzerland, Germany or Austria the smell will fill you with European nostalgia in a nano second! 

Whether you are looking for sushi, burgers, nourish bowls, tacos or pizza you will find it at the market. There is even an artisanal tea stand selling exquisite teas. 

It also houses stands of local designer wear that showcase some pretty amazing homegrown talent. 
You’ll find handcrafted leather bags, beautifully handmade clothing, jewellery, accessories - All with a truly local flare.

In hindsight, I must say it would have been a great discovery before my journey out to the desert for AfrikaBurn. The craftsmanship of some of the items I stumbled on at Mojo would have found a perfect juxtaposition in Tankwa. I love supporting local and with such great designs, it’s really a bit of a no-brainer. 

If you find yourself there in the evening why not visit the fresh oyster and champagne bar? A glass of crisp bubbles paired with sunset views of the Sea Point promenade is a pretty great end to the day. I thoroughly enjoyed watching the sunset with a perfect glass of bubbly and raclette.
The seating area has more of a cafeteria/food-hall feel to it, great for relaxed, laid back missions but perhaps not the right fit for a couple looking for a bit more ambience and privacy.

My sweet tooth kicked in like the demon it is while I was perusing the goods and I had to hunt for something to satisfy the craving immediately. 

I tried Baskin Robbins (because of the sugar content) and of course the novelty of trying the only American brand in the market. Its inclusion does seem a bit off amongst the craftier food stalls but judging from the queues – it’s clear that my perception is lost on the regular market goer and family units where the kids are screaming for the brightest fare on offer. Their neon pink signage certainly does the trick.

After my cotton candy ice cream, I popped in to try the brownies at the local sweet store - which was a wise choice in my opinion. (The wise choice here being a second dessert...obviously) 

I love the fact that there is also a small local butcher, bakery and vegetable store. All organic and fresh. 
It's a great spot to pop into if you are needing to fill up the pantry with odds and ends. The selection is small and considered, so don’t expect sprawling aisles. You have a local woollies or checkers for that.

The market is attached to the Mojo Hotel. Offering private rooms and dorms. This space has a quirky interior that falls in line with the design element of the whole experience. I must say that if I was passing by Cape Town I would stay at the hotel just to experience the market and the food. In fact, they have created a little oasis that means one might never leave! 

The market is walking distance from my house which means the temptation to hardly cook and pretty much move in is strong. 

-Melissa 

Lourensford Harvest Market

This past weekend I opted for something a little different for Easter weekend. Instead of the usual feast at home and a full on food coma afterwards, I decided to load my family up and take a drive to the much talked about Lourensford Harvest Market.

The market is on every Sunday and this time round was an Easter theme.  They even had an Easter egg hunt for the little ones. With over 70 stalls filled with food, clothing and arts, there is something on the go for everyone! Of course my main focus was food and tasting as many morsels as possible. I always feel at markets committing to one single big meal isn’t the way to go. Either that or my food FOMO really shines! Get there early as the food starts to sell out later on and you will want to get the cream of the crop and of course grab a bottle of wine!

The atmosphere is relaxing and with cold beers and live music I found myself sitting at the table in a mellow mood that I would recommend to anyone.  Puppies are welcome and of course there are enough children to keep them busy!

Lourensford is one of the biggest producing estates in South Africa and has so much to offer! They have coffee roasting, galleries, the market and Mill House restaurant. A must try if you are in the area, bookings essential.  The food is outstanding and I have been lucky enough to eat there on a previous occasion.

So if you are wondering what to do and want to venture out of the noisy city, I recommend taking a drive to this beautiful estate and exploring it with camera or loved one in hand!

-Melissa

street food festival, cape town

One thing I love about Capetonians is that they love a market, any excuse to get outdoors and celebrate some sort of food or event.

This particular event was the Cape Town Street Food Festival. It is a mouthful in more ways than one. This year it was held in Woodstock at the side street studios and it was the first year the event took place.  With the sun shining it was a beautiful winters day and we could not have asked for better weather!

Street food and food trucks have become a global phenomenon and rightfully so. It’s quick, tasty and unique. It’s part of the fast food track and not as formal as sitting down to eat at a restaurant. The vendors use top quality produce and all of them have a unique twist to their food. You eat with your hands and share as you go. I must say I was very impressed with the turn out at the event and even more so, blown away by the quality of the food!

Having just been to New York I could see the international influence on the food such as the Hog House brewing company. Slow smoked brisket for 15 hours it made me think of the Mighty Quinns back stateside. The twist of serving it with their unique beer was ingenious and delicious.

Although there was a fair amount of international influence I can also say it had proudly South African roots with Bunny Chows and Braai Broodtjies showing off our national heritage. The Bunny Chows were packed with flavor, the curries were sensational and of course, love it or hate it, white bread is the perfect accompaniment with the curried mince. A flavour combo that will leave you wanting more.

There were chicken waffles and gin stands, home baked pastries and Argentinian meat, wood fired pizzas and brisket rolls… who would not be in heaven?

To top off the event they had seminars held by the likes of Abigail Donnely, the food Guru and editor for Woolworths Taste Magazine who shared her knowledge with eager listeners in the food arena.

The turn out was fantastic and to see people come together with the common love of food; tremendous.

THIS is what it is all about!

I can’t wait for next year! 
In true Capetonian style, the turn out and the venue will be bigger and better

-Melissa