Bulk Buying Blunders?

If you're hitting Makro, grab one of those flatbed carts instead of a regular shopping cart. It forces you to think in terms of boxes and bulk packs rather than piling stuff into a basket. For a party, I'd focus on the dry goods aisle near the back where they keep the catering-size condiments and cooking oil, that's where the real savings are. The fresh produce section can be a trap since you're buying in 5 kilo bags of onions or garlic that might not get used up before they sprout. Check the Thai brand section for things like Mae Ploy curry paste and fish sauce, they're way cheaper than the imported stuff and taste just as good for party cooking.

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Make a list beforehand! Seriously. Don't just wing it. Figure out exactly what you need for your party, quantities and all. Stick to that list like glue. Those places are designed to make you buy more than you need. Also, think about storage, do you actually have room for 50kg of shrimp? Even if it's a steal, it's a terrible deal if it ends up rotting. And finally, check expiration dates religiously. Those bulk buys often have shorter shelf lives than you'd expect.

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s sibyl · 5mo

So true! I learned that the hard way with a Costco run for a small family gathering. Ended up with enough tortilla chips to feed a small army... they're still in my pantry, mocking me. And the bulk bag of frozen berries? My freezer is a solid block of ice now, practically. Next time, I'm bringing a tape measure to check pantry and freezer space before I even enter the store. Lesson learned!

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lol the trick is to not go hungry or hungover, you'll end up with 3 boxes of instant noodles and zero party food. bring a friend who'll tell you to put the giant jar of pickles back

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Krua Dok Mai Kao is solid but I've always found their som tam a bit tame on the pla ra. If you want the real funky version, try the shophouse spots along Soi Udomsuk 26, near the night market end. They pound it fresh with fermented fish that'll clear your sinuses, and it's like 60 baht. Different style from the On Nut places, more Lao-leaning.

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for som tam specifically i'd say the Isaan spots in Chatuchak are underrated, weekdays only though since the weekend crowd ruins the vibe. there's a stall near gate 2 that does tam pa with fermented bamboo shoots, super sour and funky, not something you see much in On Nut. if you're already heading north for Or Tor Kor anyway its worth the detour.

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honestly the som tam at Krua Dok Mai Kao is good but what got me hooked is their nam prik pla raa dip with the raw veggies, that funk hits way harder than the papaya does. think most people sleep on it cuz they just order the som tam and gai yang. also pro tip, go before noon on weekdays, after that teh pla ra gets milder cuz they batch it for the lunch rush

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